The Wait

Geesh...the wait is horrible. The wait to know if you were denied for disability. I know I have a lot of history and such medical records but I will likely be denied. Then, I will feel like a failure even in that aspect. I hate waiting.

Being denied for disability is not your failure. It is a mixture of the breakdown of a system meant to help those who can't work, and greedy COs who probably make six figures a year.

Having dealt with insurance, loans etc. my feeling is that they make it as difficult as possible and hope you weaken and give up. Just because there are insensitive jackasses in the world does not mean you are a failure.

Keep calling, and when you do, get names and ID numbers from the people you have spoken to. Take notes on what is said and be sure to document the date and time. If nothing else, it gives you an edge. No one can say that you didn't call. Also make copies of any papers you have been sent or filled out.

Sam2

I had a feeling. A bad when when I went to get the mail today.

I got denied. I feel like giving up. It said I get anxious when working with people. No. I don't just get anxious when working with people! I have panic attacks. I lock myself in storage closets and cry all day. I give up on my work and feel like a failure. I start forgetting things and simply don't care anymore. I razor blades on my break and take frequent bathroom breaks.... its bad.

I feel like giving up.

You can appeal the decision...so try not to give up yet. If you appeal I'd recommend getting an attorney, they get paid out of some of the back pay but I found it worth it as I think I would have got denied again if I tried appealing myself.

Most people get denied when they first apply anyways...you've waited this long so might as well giving the appeal process a try.

I applied for SS Disability and was initially denied. I appealed the decision, and waited and waited and waited and got no reply. I finally had to contact my local US Congressman to intervene with the SS Administration. The SS Administration did not want a Congressional inquiry on their record - as a result, I was approved. I suggest you contact your local elected official and ask them to contact SS on your behalf.

it's a grueling process, and many, many people get denied on the first try. See if you can have a conversation with the worker assigned to your appeal. Also, a lawyer would be a good idea (as hellion suggested). Don't let them win... they count on people losing momentum and giving up. I had a friend who could not work because of a back injury who was denied twice before they finally approved him... It's not necessarily based on merit so much as the repoorts written by a bunch of people that only know you through paperwork. I lucked out and had a great worker assigned my case. We had a few conversations (some pretty long) about my history and what the future looked like. Workers can put in their own input to the decision, so if you can get into a good working relationship with yours, it may help your case.
it's worth the fight. YOU'RE worth the fight...

I agree with all of you, and I know that the wait can be grueling. I kept getting denied then I finally got an attorney who helped me appeal the decision. Then we had the hearing in August of last year, and 2 1/2 months later, I got an "unfavorable decision." The reasons the judge gave me were ridiculous! It was full of lies and exaggerations, she even twisted my words around a lot. Now that decision is on appeal and we are still waiting on that.