Would I be eligible for ssdi?

Hello all.

It's been maybe 11 years since I've been on this site and I regret to inform you that my panic disorder is still around. I am now 29 and my panic attacks/anxiety are still with me. But I ask myself, even if I was diagnosed at 19 with panic disorder, is it still with me today or would I need to be re-diagnosed?

Tonight was a pretty rough night...I had about 6-8 hours worth of panic attacks and I finally caved and logged in to talk...

Over the years I've had a few jobs.. but none that I could hold for more than 3-6 months due to my extreme anxiety...
I've been unemployed for close to 3 years now and I for once thought I had enough bravery to finally "get the ball rolling" so I went and got myself a car which I had to finance...

Once I got home I realized it was an incredibly bad idea and I starting having some of the worst panic attacks in years. Luckily my fiance was there to calm me down as best she could but shes sleeping now.

I really just came to the conclusion that It's impossible for me to leave the house, hold down a job, or just about be useful for any task without my anxiety crippling me...I've just tried for years.

I want to know, is it possible for someone like me to collect ssdi for panic disorder? I think I was diagnosed with depression and paranoid schizophrenia at the age of 19.. I cant remember though...But do I meet the requirements for ssdi even if I haven't worked for a long time??

Hope to hear some feedback from you.

Thanks.

I'm no expert but more than likely you would only be eligible for SSI. For SSDI you have to have a certain length of work history and have worked 5 out of the last ten years. My husband found this out the hard way and all he gets is SSI.

If you have any questions about SSI feel free to ask. Good luck to you.

You can call a lawyer and they will tell you if you have enough credits to qualify *I think*.
But, the way I was told I should apply for ssdi vs ssi was my lawyers office told me when I called for a consultation before hiring their firm.
Good luck!

How would I be able to pay for a lawyer without money? If I don't win do I still have to pay them ?

Lawyers take 25% after they win a case. Not sure how it works if they lose. My lawyer told me he'd much rather take a mental illness case than a physically handicapped case because the latter is usually harder to prove.

For SSDI you get evaluated by a psychologist before going to court.

I have a dr appointment on tuesday for my anxiety to get the ball rollin. Maybe I'll get some calm down meds I can try. That's the first battle

I thought they were allowed to take only a flat rate of about $5000 of a successful SSDI case. I think they dont charge anything if you dont get the ssdi, except maybe a retainer of a few hundred? Not sure.

Do you mean the $5000 is from the back pay since you applied for ssdi?

Yes.

......

ok thanks!

To clarify.... I agree with the other posts, the attorney will get paid from back pay if you are approved. I do not know how much, sorry.

I think it's great you will be seen by a dr soon! See what you can do to get through the day to day with your illnesses with help from a professional. Great first step! Also mention to them you are applying or considering applying and they may be able to help.
Any good attorney will request your records for your case, so it's best to tell them upfront how badly you are struggling.

Best wishes.

Thank you for your response

My lawyer took like $3,000 of back pay. If he had lost I didn't owe

This is correct information. If you have not worked much you would not qualify for SSDI. I worked for over 15 years so I did qualify. I used a lawyer and lost. Then I appealed fired my lawyer completed all the paperwork myself (I’m a former mental health social worker). I was approved six weeks later. I did not have to pay that lawyer any of my back pay!!!

Disability lawyers work on a contingent. If you win, they get paid; if you lose they do not. The fee is 25% or $6000, whichever is less.