So the day my case reaches the office that SS uses to work on disability, my alleged "case worker" (no idea who this person is, but I was told I am supposed to) sends out a notice telling me they don't have enough information to make a decision and are going to need me to see another dr. for an eval...they hadn't even asked my docs for my records yet! I called and spoke to someone there and even her and her supervisor were speechless (really great.)
Then I get a letter a few days later, saying my record request has been sent out to my drs...and in less then a week's time I get the same kind of notice (some medical records I sent in and my T's med records passed with THIS notice in the mail; they have my pdoc's already) stating the dr. I would be seeing for the eval and an appt. date/time.
OK, seriously? Can we wait 5 minutes since after they get everything they want, all I am going to DO is wait so they can tell me no the first time anyway? Maybe they could even look at the 70 pages or so of notes, etc. my T sent them first?
I have EXTREME anxiety. Thinking about talking to some T I don't know makes me either want to scream or cry and curl up into a ball forever and never go back outside.
I also have to bring an adult with me for part of my evaluation, and the only person who can even come with me is my father, and we don't get along and he hardly knows me, but I have pretty much withdrawn from everyone else. I am absolutely terrified of this whole thing. I have already filled out the same kinds of forms like 3 times...and what is some dude going to come up with about me that my T and pdoc, both of almost 3 years, haven't?
The first person I spoke to there said sometimes they schedule them out ahead of time in case they don't get the records they need and she has often seen them canceled... oh please, oh please. Anyone have any experience with randon evals for disability? Thanks.

[optimize990h]

Well, with the information provided, I would try to minimize my anxiety levels. For me, I need to feel in control, an equal to the assessor, not a subordinate. If your father is going with you, perhaps he could take notes of what is being discussed. (If they allow it, of course.)This will help you later. The other point would be to clarify any points so you can make a note of it. Clarification of points at the meeting is important to minimize miscommunication as you have already experienced. Hopefully, someone else can come up with further options. The more choices you have, the more likely you will be comfortable with one of them. Good luck on the process.

[avlady]

Good LUCK!!!! I really mean it, it took me a long time to get my disability, i had to spend 2 months in the hospital in 1985 to get disability, but i'm almost sure it wouldn't take that long now a days.

[ThisWayOut]

I had to recently have a random eval for disability. I was outrageously anxious before-hand, especially because the letter had me seeing a male evaluator (causes me huge anxiety), but it wasn't that bad. I ended up talking to a female psychologist (I had also initially been told it was a psychiatric assessment, not psychological). The whole thing took about 30 minutes. She asked a bunch of history questions, and covered the current stuff a bit also. None of it went into too much detail, so none of it was very triggering for me.
My eval seemed very random to me too, because I currently see a therapist regularly. My worker said she wanted it because I had been to the hospital recently without a psychiatric follow-up (the resources the hospital gave me had a 2-month waiting list). I had also gotten letters stating that various providers had not sent in my records, and I needed to follow-up with them to see if I could get it faster. I have a lot of anxiety talking on the phone to strangers, so it freaked me out to have to make 4 or 5 phone calls. I finally called them, only to find they had sent the records over a week ago. When I called my worker, she said that she had gotten all the records after she sent me the letters. She confirmed that they will often send out letters preemptively to make sure they get everything.
I would suggest trying to lessen the anxiety and go through with the assessment if you can. Any extra evidence you have stating you need the disability will help them decide on things. Also, I would suggest trying to call your worker again and making a connection. It helps a lot if your worker is also in favor or you getting disability... I know it's hard to make that call, especially since your worker sounds a little frustrated with the job, but maybe you can call and find a reason to have a conversation?
Good luck!!

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by lost_key

So the day my case reaches the office that SS uses to work on disability, my alleged "case worker" (no idea who this person is, but I was told I am supposed to) sends out a notice telling me they don't have enough information to make a decision and are going to need me to see another dr. for an eval...they hadn't even asked my docs for my records yet! I called and spoke to someone there and even her and her supervisor were speechless (really great.)
Then I get a letter a few days later, saying my record request has been sent out to my drs...and in less then a week's time I get the same kind of notice (some medical records I sent in and my T's med records passed with THIS notice in the mail; they have my pdoc's already) stating the dr. I would be seeing for the eval and an appt. date/time.
OK, seriously? Can we wait 5 minutes since after they get everything they want, all I am going to DO is wait so they can tell me no the first time anyway? Maybe they could even look at the 70 pages or so of notes, etc. my T sent them first?
I have EXTREME anxiety. Thinking about talking to some T I don't know makes me either want to scream or cry and curl up into a ball forever and never go back outside.
I also have to bring an adult with me for part of my evaluation, and the only person who can even come with me is my father, and we don't get along and he hardly knows me, but I have pretty much withdrawn from everyone else. I am absolutely terrified of this whole thing. I have already filled out the same kinds of forms like 3 times...and what is some dude going to come up with about me that my T and pdoc, both of almost 3 years, haven't?
The first person I spoke to there said sometimes they schedule them out ahead of time in case they don't get the records they need and she has often seen them canceled... oh please, oh please. Anyone have any experience with randon evals for disability? Thanks.

I know people that have gone through the process and I have not too long ago been through the process. it is pretty normal to have to see more treatment providers then just your own. basically Social security likes to compare what their own treatment providers find to what your treatment providers supply, this way they know they dont have any falsified reports and can basically cover their behind should there happen to be a case of fraud and they end up having to prosecute and its also helpful when someone denied benefits due to lack of information and other reasons. Social security can go in to court and show proof they did everything possible to give the applicant a chance to receive disability benefits. they process the information and then send out letters asking the applicants to see the treatment providers on the lust. if the applicant doesnt then they make a determination based on what information was supplied. A lot of times people get denied because they did not go that extra step to seeing social security treatment providers that can give social security more information that may be needed.

Originally Posted by MdngtRain

I had to recently have a random eval for disability. I was outrageously anxious before-hand, especially because the letter had me seeing a male evaluator (causes me huge anxiety), but it wasn't that bad. I ended up talking to a female psychologist (I had also initially been told it was a psychiatric assessment, not psychological). The whole thing took about 30 minutes. She asked a bunch of history questions, and covered the current stuff a bit also. None of it went into too much detail, so none of it was very triggering for me.
My eval seemed very random to me too, because I currently see a therapist regularly. My worker said she wanted it because I had been to the hospital recently without a psychiatric follow-up (the resources the hospital gave me had a 2-month waiting list). I had also gotten letters stating that various providers had not sent in my records, and I needed to follow-up with them to see if I could get it faster. I have a lot of anxiety talking on the phone to strangers, so it freaked me out to have to make 4 or 5 phone calls. I finally called them, only to find they had sent the records over a week ago. When I called my worker, she said that she had gotten all the records after she sent me the letters. She confirmed that they will often send out letters preemptively to make sure they get everything.
I would suggest trying to lessen the anxiety and go through with the assessment if you can. Any extra evidence you have stating you need the disability will help them decide on things. Also, I would suggest trying to call your worker again and making a connection. It helps a lot if your worker is also in favor or you getting disability... I know it's hard to make that call, especially since your worker sounds a little frustrated with the job, but maybe you can call and find a reason to have a conversation?
Good luck!!

I wouldn't even know my case worker's name, except I got it from my psychologist....from the letter he sent him when he requested my records...he has not put it on the letters he has sent to me (yup, he has not even bothered electronically signing them...aka, typing his name in), which essentially means to me "I am taking NO personal interest in your case."

I know I am seeing a psychologist for the eval...the man has a Ph.D behind his name, although I can't find out much about him online besides his age. I just really hope he asks me nothing inappropriate in front of my father. I am an adult for god's sake and no, my father does not need or want to know every aspect of my life. Supposedly they want to know more about my daily activities, but since I am anxious and super depressed I don't DO much of anything...which I think has been covered by my three drs on 2 separate forms plus their records, me on 3 seperate forms, and the form they asked my father to fill out. But I live alone so if they are looking for anything even MORE specific, as they seem to be, only I would know that.

I am supposed to call some number and confirm I will be there, which I will do Monday, but I don't know if I will be speaking with my case worker directly or not when I call. (In my state everyone gets a NO the first time, no matter what, so there is very little point to this, really.) Anyway, I wll see what I can do about speaking with him.

Thanks for your experience and advice, and I am glad your eval did go okay...good luck!!

[eskielover]

I have been on permanent disability since 1994/1995......I don't even remember getting a letter telling me that they wanted to re-evaluate how I'm doing.....but I got a letter saying that it wasn't necessary & that I could disregard the previous letter

[shezbut]

(((lost_key)))

No, I haven't had a random evaluation yet (knock on wood). But, just thinking about it makes me anxious, so I have some understanding as to how you are feeling right now! I don't know if you receive any county assistance, but I would imagine that SS's evaluation is similar to when the county worker comes to re-evaluate one's case annually.

Just a guess (obviously) ~ but, what else could they possibly ask that isn't already covered in the medical and psychological records??

[ThisWayOut]

My worker never signed the letters either. When I called, I first just spoke to the operator who looked up my workers name and extension, then transferred me. I don't think I ever for a single piece of paper with a
Any name in it. I think that may be there looking I'm case they change workers randomly or something.
Anyway, Good luck. Oh, I don't think they will want your dad to actually sit in on the eval. They generally like to do that one on one.

Yes, I am more informed now...I called and was asking about some test I am taking after this eval, and the person I was speaking with really had no idea so I asked to speak with my case worker. I think I know exactly what it is as they gave me the name of it, sort of, plus of course I used Google.
I learned quite a bit talking to my case worker, however...even if they get enough info with my medical records (my T's have not reached them yet but they should by like today), I will most likely have to go to the eval as the psychologists reading the records are weeks behind...so I am glad they have been in such a hurry to get everything STAT and put the pressure on so we can wait even longer.
I know it will all be a very long waiting game until they say no, regardless. Shezbut, thank you...I think it's more about the test than the eval, but again, they don't have my T's records yet as what he was organizing was quite impressive, so they have a huge gap. I was impressed as all my other treating dr's stepped up and sent over my records STAT. I do like my dr's overall. (Even though my neurologist is a bit loopy. )
So maybe it's both they want, but I agree, it seems a waste of time and their money/resources for the eval...case worker did say they still could cancel, but that looks unlikely.
MdngtRain, thanks...I think my father is going to be questioned seperately, too, so you are right. I feel a little bit better there.
Doesn't it sound like I have/am going to be arrested??