Disability

Not quite sure where to put this.

I've applied for disability. It would help so much to get a bit extra money. And I have to face it, I just can't work anymore. Has anyone else here applied for disability? How long does it take? How are my chances? How hard is it to get approved?

Hello, whenwillitend. It seems application response times and approval rates vary by state.

sorry i do not know the answers for the USA but here in England it took 6 months and a 'retrial' !!!! I wish you every success and speedy response to your application xxx

You might want to hire a disability lawyer to speed things up and make sure you qualify, etc. Quite a few people here have applied and used lawyers to help speed the process. There are several helpful websites with information written by former disability processors and the like, ssdrc.com http://www.ssdrc.com/social-security-disability.html and disability secrets.com http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/

Check below in the "Insurance and Finances" forum and maybe the "Disabilities and Chronic Diseases" one for some of their stories.

Hi ~ You have to get denied ONE TIME before you can get an attorney to help you with disability. Those are the rules. So fill out the forms for disability - you can get the forums from your Social Security office -- and send them in. My FIRST denial didn't take long at all. LOL I didn't know the rules back when I was doing mine because it was before the internet - and i didn't know anyone on disability - so I did my application a 2nd time - and got denied again. The third time, I got an attorney - on contingency - meaning I didn't pay him anything - until he WON and then he got his fee from my back pay. If he lost the case, he got nothing! We won. But I was slated to go before the Judge for a hearing (that's normal) for the final approval -- a week before my hearing, I got approved anyway - so i didn't have to go before the Judge.

Back then, it took me 2 1/2 yrs from start to finish. It doesn't take that long anymore, I don't think. At least people here have said it hasn't been that long. I'm disabled due to spinal problems, which seems to be very difficult to prove -- you wouldn't think so - I had all the films, etc. It depends on what your disability is, I guess. Best of luck - and let us know when you get approved! God bless. Hugs, Lee

Thank you all! I've been thinking about getting a lawyer, I always see the commercials on tv, but I can't afford to pay one. I'd have to get one that only gets paid if we win.
I already submitted all my paperwork, and the lady at the social security office said now I just have to wait and they'll let me know if they need anything else. I just really really really hope I get approved.

I didn't quite know what to put "Date you got disabled", so I put the date I was first diagnosed with depression. My first hospitalization. I hope that was right.

Yeah, the date sounds about right.

All of that paperwork was such a nightmare for me, ugh! If depression is your main cause for SSI/SSDI, you can probably expect a denial. Almost all social security cases are initially denied and THEN you can get an attorney to take your case.

While social security took awhile to make a decision with my case, due to ALL of the info provided by my doctors and hospitals, I was approved with my first application. Eight months after I applied, I finally received a letter of approval & funds were deposited into my checking account days later. That was nice! The determining factors, for me, were long-time uncontrolled epilepsy (leaving lasting cognitive effects), traumatic brain injury, and major depression.

Best wishes to you!

I hope the process goes well for you & you are approved.

Best of luck!

I have a different question about disability. I'm currently working, but work is too much too handle and it is pushing me over the edge. I would like to quit but can not afford to. My employer has Short Term Disability and Long Term Disability coverage.

Has anyone on here ever successfully got payment from their employer's plans for STD/LTD coverage?

Do you also apply for Social Security disability?

U bet...i did..went on std, rather simple process with my company, then ltd, then when those payments stopped i went on ss disability.
check with your company plan to see how many weeks of pay you get for sht. and long term. also try to use any sick days up first and vacation time....makes the money stretch out longer. ss disability takes a confirmation/decline from 4 months on. i got mine in 4 months. you have to wait tho to begin getting paid beginning at 6 months. but once you apply, the money starts accruing so if accepted, first check is considerably bigger than following checks. u can pm me if u want.hope this helps. hugs.