Trying to find disability helper

Hi,
I've read somewhere on this forum that Allsup is a good company to hire to help with SSDI. Has anyone had experiences with them.
I have major depression, anxiety and fibro. My local lawyer said "if you can walk and talk" you can not get SSDI. Allsup says otherwise as does my PDCO and Rhumatologist.
Thanks,

if your drs say you are disabled that is really where to start. I have heard allsup is good but I didn't have to hire an attorney for mine. There is alot of leg work though when you have been denied. a good attorney can help you with all the paperwork and in getting all your medical records and even send you for testing. good luck!

In my experience, SSDI determinations are very screwy. Many people who are obviously very disabled have difficulties being approved. Others who look just fine (in the slim minority of applicants) get approved without a problem. Your attorney is wrong though, and a bit dramatic. There are lots of causes for disability which the government does often accept. Try not to let his/her incorrect words worry you.

I can't think of any companies that help through the process, but I do know that they are out there. I was in the slim minority of disabled that was approved on my first try. I also know that Social Security really appreciates getting absolutely complete information (from doctors and such) in a very timely manner.

A local group, SEMCIL, was a great help to me through many things. I know that they're a national organization, but I can't recall their national name. Sorry ! I just can't recall much else to help you. Best wishes and hugs to you.

Shez

Hey,
John, what ever you do start by filling out the SSDI through the Social Security Office. The sooner you start the process and if you get onto SSDI they will go back to the date you first filld it out. It took me like awhile to get on to SSDI and Iagree with Bebop, the doctors have to fill an asportment of papers out and then it goes in front of a a cunch of doctors and trhey will most likely deny you they did me and I think that is just part of it. I know of ppl who have went through lawyers but I do know lawyers are out for your back pay, which is all the time you spent waiting for SSDI and they take a little more than half of your back pay. I personally don't see hirig a lawyer because it takes just as long and really there isn't too much they can do to help you get on any quicker than you can. It does take abit of leg work but the sooner you call that 800 # to Social Secuirty the faster it will come. They always told me I could deliver pizza's. Then You appeal it, I would try to do it alone but that is just me and I also think the lawyers are just out for that big back pay you get and that is only my opinion but what ever help you.

Good Luck to you and I'll send as much good luck your way to!
Thacrew

I am right now applying for SSDI/SSI. SSDI is basically for people who have paid into social security that become disabled before they are old enough to collect on their Social Security. SSI is basically a government form of welfare and is usually for people who have not paid into Social Security or who have not worked long enough to qualify for SSDI. I am applying for both because one of my parents is on SSDI and I am under the age of 22 and you receive more money that way. I did get denied on my first try and I then got a lawyer (Binder & Binder). I found out that they can ONLY take 25% of your back paid owed or if you are owed a VERY large sum and the 25% is more then $6500 they can only take up to $6500. I believe Social Security has imposed laws (Social Security has to approve your lawyer first, they do that to protect you) saying that if your lawyer does not win your case they can't charge you anything. I have heard pros and cons to getting a lawyer, but I personally believe that they do help and Social Security takes a shorter amount of time with the lawyers (plus they know the ins and outs and I don't lol). I hope sharing my little bit of info has helped and PM me anytime if you want more info.

I used allsup as I could not handle the process by myself. I am very disabled physically and cognatively. I applied in nov. of '08 and was approved in jan. '08. They were just great to me. Always took my calls, answered my questions, called and checked on me and kept me up to date on everything. I had my own caseworker and her assistant. I love them so much. I don't know what you should do in your particular case but, I know Allsup was the very best choice for me, I will consider them angels forever when I needed one.

Getting disability SSD is hard. I applied and was turned down many times, but the key is to keep appealing. If you give up you have to start all over again. If your doctors agree that helps, case workers can help, and you have to keep filing out those same forms over and over again. Be sure to make a copy of every page you fill out. Get copies of your medical records and keep them in a binder so you have them close by and organized. If the process gets to the point of you going before a judge, get a lawyer that is approved by SS. That way you will not be cheated out of your back pay.
It took me 7 years to win my case. I was very depressed through-out the whole thing, but now I am finally getting my life back. I will be praying for you. One last thing if you can work at all or have hobbies that bring in a little bit of cash, continue filing income tax reports on those earnings, because if you stop working or listing sources of any income, your SSD checks will be a lot less then your expecting. 1Girl

I pm'd you the name of an attney who helped me.

I used Allsup, after being told everywhere that SSDI is automatically turned down the first time. At the time that I was pursuing social security, I was a mess. Terrible memory, concentration etc. So, the thought of the paperwork that would have to be done within certain time limits seemed impossible. However, we were used to my realtively substantial income, and downsizing to just my husband's was very difficult.

I found Allsup on google, read up about them, checked BBB, checked for negative reviews from other people, and came up with no real red flags. So I signed up with them in March. They absolutely took care of each and every thing. All I had to do was sign releases for my docs and therapist. I never had to deal with SS, and was eligible for benefits at the end of June, and received first check at the beginning of August. They do not charge unless they acheive a positive outcome for you. Then, if they do, they take 20% of your first payment. This means that if you have been working the process for a year, and if you are awarded with the help of Allsup, they take 20% of the whole payment, which is larger if you have some retro time.

In my case, my first payment was about 2,000, so they took 400. Best 400 dollars I ever spent. They were wonderful, and I have recommended them to everyone I can.

Good luck in your pursuit, and if you want any other personal experience from me, just give me a PM

I, too, was in the minority and got approval on my first application. You can go to the SSDI website, print out the forms and work on them on your own or hire a lawyer. I did the whole process myself and the only factor which delayed my approval was that my therapist was in South America at the time I applied. As soon as she returned and completed the required documents, I was approved. This only took two months.

I'm not recommending this to everyone, but if you feel capable of doing the paperwork, you CAN succeed.

My life has changed significantly and I'm very thankful to the folks in my SSDI region who helped me along the way. They are NOT the 'monsters' some people make them out to be! At least in my case. My age was also a major factor (late 50's), I believe. If you're young, the lawyer may be your best choice and advocate.

Hope all goes well for you!

You really need to have good storng advocates around you. If you are disabled and unable to do any occupation than thats the criteria. Not that if you can walk or not, that only one aspect. Your pain, and level of ability is what should be evalated and reported to. Getting a strong lawyer is good. I would first try omy own with lots of help, but that just me. Maybe having a good lawyer is better ,at least they see you aren't going away, and that you are serous bout it.

Okay now check this out.....

They kept determining that I could always be a pizza driver and I must note that I was in a chair then to. Stupid!

I can tell you that with a big firm like Binder and Binder you can sometimes get lost in the shuffle, and you almost never ever speak with a proper attorney just a customer service rep, I signed on with Binder and Binder but after waiting 6 months after my first time denial and getting annoyed at only ever speaking with CSR, I decided to change lawyers and went to a small solo practice where the handholding was paramount. He told me he's get me approved and he did. I had to have a video conference with a Judge but I was awarded after a year of waiting. The key is having the full support of your doctors, alot of the delays are on the part of the documentation process and doctors offices being slow at getting forms filled out by drs. overall it's a long and drawn out process but if you get approved its worth the weight. My lawyer could only get up to $5000 in the fees that come out of your retro check. good luck, change lawyers and find a new one.