Any advice on disability application?

Hi there,

After years of suffering and attempting to work something out I've finally given up and have decided to file for disability.

I haven't worked in five years and I'm not sure if I have enough credits though, but my cousin hasn't really worked a day in his life and he's on it, he has Asperger's.

For myself I've been diagnosed in the past with major depression, as well as reactive arthritis, a form of spondylitis. Honestly, I'm not sure which one came first and which one is more debilitating to me at the moment, but I just can't take it anymore. On top of that, in the last five years I've developed a severe case of agoraphobia or possibly avoidant personality disorder. I registered here a year ago (after many months of just lurking), but haven't really been able to make myself try and connect with anyone, even online, in all that time. And actually going out of the house? Well, it would never happen if it weren't for the fact that my Mom doesn't really drive much anymore and we need food. I'm a burden on my Mother and I need to do something so we don't lose the house.

Here's the rub, I'm unemployed so i obviously have no insurance. Add to that I haven't been to the doctor in a loooong time. Any advice on how to apply considering I have next to no documentation of my illness. I do have the hospital records from, good grief, almost 18 years ago and an old bill that shows a diagnosis of iritis, a symptom of the spondylitis, from ten years ago. Unfortunately I don't have the records for the genetic testing that was done by my eye doctor at the time that shows I have the HLA-B27 genetic marker for spondylitis, but unless my genes changed in the last ten years it should show up on a test. Frankly my sedimentation rate has to be sky high with the way I'm feeling, but I digress.

What should I do? Should I get a lawyer. I thought about contacting these people:

http://www.patientadvocate.org/index.php

But I don't know if they're trustworthy...anyone heard of them? I profusely appreciate any advice anyone can give me in this regard.

Thanks

I didn't read the source you posted, and I know nothing about such things. However, I definitely think you need to start seeing doctors pronto and get their official evaluations as a start.....

Then, if they are willing to support you in your need for disability, you can get the appropriate forms to fill out.

That's the way I seem to recall I started the process anyway....

Let us know what the docs say, if you want....

In order to qualify for disability you are going to need current documentation on the specific disabilities that prevent you from working. They are not going to take your word for it. So you need a lot of documentation from reputable sources. Something from 18 years ago can be included but will not in and of itself allow you to qualify, if you have worked in the last 18 years, they will want proof that you have deteriorated to the point you can no longer work. So you will need to get to the doc and if they agree you can not work, and are willing to report on that, you can start the process. If you do not do that you set yourself up to be denied.

And therein lies the problem. How can I see a doctor without any insurance or money?

Hi there,
I don't know what state you live in, but have you checked into the state insurance? I get free care since I do not work. I too am looking into filing for disability. Have you made calls to find out if anyone in your area offers pro bono services? mental health & or physical? As far as the lawyer goes, my understanding is that many, if not most, disability lawyers only collect a fee from the client if & when you win. In other words, if you contact the one you posted & don't like the feel, look in your yellow pages. They might have advice for you on how to obtain medical help....Also I often google for reviews on professional services.

I live in Florida, and yeah, I've checked. They said I need to file for disability first. And I'm like, "But I need to see a doctor first," which of course means I need their assistance, but I, "need to file for disability first." Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Honestly, I'm just about at the end of my rope. I've been looking up suicide hotlines, but I don't want the cops at my house...ugh! I just need some help! Scratch that, "just about at the end of my rope,"...I'm scrambling in empty air.

Sorry for that outburst, but I've been searching on this problem for the last couple of hours with no solutions. That place I linked to is a charity apparently and they advocate for you for free. I contacted them but haven't heard anything yet. Thanks for your suggestions. I was thinking about maybe contacting a local lawyer for advice. As you said, they might know the area. *sigh*

I found a site http://www.benefits.gov/ & plugged in some info. just to get to the results page.
I don't know what county you're in, but I checked a few. 1 didn't have anything, but of course one could travel to another if needed....two had possibilities. Might be another place to start....

Let me know how it goes. This looks like it could be an pretty handy tool for alot of people in a variety of situations....

Call these people, they'll tell you how to proceed?

http://www.doh.state.fl.us/DD/dddoffices.html

On Monday morning call this number at 0700 (7am est)--if you call this early, you will get a person on the phone:

1-800-772-1213---this is number for the SSA in New York City

Again: Call 1-800-772-1213 --------Social Security Administration at 0700 EST, Monday

Have your SS#, Birth certificate ready...they will look you up in their data and tell you if you have enough credits.

If not enough credits, they will direct you to file for SSD and SSI. You file for both anyway.
They will send you all the papers you need to fill out.

This is where you begin the process!!! They send you to their doctors for evaluation...even if you do not get SSD, you will get SSI=Medicaid, Food Stamps, and a stipend to live on. (Medicaid being the most important...you will get a doctor, therapy etc...)

I got SSD on my own, based on "Major Depression" (never heard of cPTSD at the time) after two turn downs. I perservered and the third time was lucky?

Yes, you will need documentation, MRI's, etc....but do this first!!

You may pm me anytime, I will help you in any way I can~~~~~Hold your head up! Have hope! If I could do it, you can too!!! please pm me!~~theodora

You defiantly need more documentation and if. You go to the social security office they can give you a print out of wk history and if you have enough credits. There is also legal aide offered thru the soc security office if u can't afford a lawyer. Go to ssa.gov and it will give you all kinds of info on applying.