Guest guest Posted February 27, 2006 Report Share Posted February 27, 2006 Does your contact person have to be someone outside your household? Can it be your spouse? gfijig wrote: > Hi , > > Yes, this is normal. You must have listed your mother as a 'contact > person' on the application for them to do this. And yes, make sure her > forms/papers coincide with your disability forms/papers. They will use > both. Some year back SSA was even phoning 'contact persons'. I don't > think this is done so much anymore, but just in case, it might be good > to have a printed description of CMT/HMSN for her to refer to, or even > get the booklet with membership from http://hnf-cure.org for her. > > ~ Gretchen > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2006 Report Share Posted February 27, 2006 I told Mom they may compare our answers. This is new for me so it's beginning to be a learning experience. Any suggestions to make this smoother? --- gfijig <GfijiG6@...> wrote: > Hi , > > Yes, this is normal. You must have listed your > mother as a 'contact > person' on the application for them to do this. And > yes, make sure her > forms/papers coincide with your disability > forms/papers. They will use > both. Some year back SSA was even phoning 'contact > persons'. I don't > think this is done so much anymore, but just in > case, it might be good > to have a printed description of CMT/HMSN for her to > refer to, or even > get the booklet with membership from > http://hnf-cure.org for her. > > ~ Gretchen > > > > > > > __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 , I filled out the same ones. I am on SSI, trying to get SSDI ( fighting over dates and work credits. I waited too long to apply and could only get SSI (but Medicaid is very nice). They probably will compare, but they are more looking for how severe your condition is, and it's best if Mom backs you up, if not more. After that, you will probably get sent to a SS doctor for a physical. I had no trouble with mine. Test included, hand squeeze test, standing on your heels (I was shocked, I didnt know I couldnt do that), walking (my legs kinda go up like a stork ((very slightly)), standing (my knees buckle backwards and I lean to one side a bit). Note: The more meds you are on, the better it may look. I was on Neurontin, Darvocet, and maybe Topamax. Some really affected my memory, and made me very drowsy/nausea/dizzy/etc. I wrote all that down, and when they asked me about it, I kinda forgot what meds I was taking. I remember some, and said something about another. This may have been a big factor. I mean, in reality, its hard to do much of anything when you are sick and dizzy and can hardly walk.They asked some silly questions, like try to remember 4 things he told me in a series, and he asked me later. I recalled 3 out of 4. I used my ex-wife as a contact and our answers were basically the same. Hope that helps, and good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 Thanks . I never put the medications I was on and had side effects so bad I was taken off. It never crossed my mind. It will be in my medical chart though. I hope I didn't mess up. I have battled with the decision to apply for several months now. It's came down between choosing the energy to care for my family or using the energy at work (where I'm not appreciated anyway). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 7, 2006 Report Share Posted March 7, 2006 I worked full time, albeit not self employed, up until I had surgery and quit. The quit date was my disabled date and they counted 6 months from then to start my benefits. I believe you have to prove that you are not able to sustain substantial work. Just being RA is not enough to qualify for SSDI. Your greatest shot is having your RA well documented with lab work, multiple specialists and radiographs. Of course having your doctor say you need SSDI helps too as they will be a great advocate for you. Shandi [ ] SSDI question I'm self-employed and am wondering about the rules for SSDI. Do I have to actually be disabled and unable to work *at all* before I can apply? Does my income have to drop significantly? Or is a diagnosis of RA enough? I'm worried because as far as I can tell, my income will go down slowly as I become more disabled, but then I'll have to wait several years for the SSDI to get approved. Could get pretty ugly in the interim Thx in advance for your help... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2006 Report Share Posted March 8, 2006 You have to be incapable of substantial gainful activity -- I think the limit now is about $800 per month. You're right, it can take several years to get approved, and while you get back benefits (after the first five months of disability) that doesn't help in the interim. My advice is to do everything you can now to not only save money, but also take out home equity lines, increase limits on your credit cards, etc. while you are still making a good income. I assume you know that SSDI income isn't much. I always made good money and if approved, I will get $1100 per month for myself and $550 each for my kids until they turn 18. > > I'm self-employed and am wondering about the rules for SSDI. Do I > have to actually be disabled and unable to work *at all* before I can > apply? Does my income have to drop significantly? Or is a diagnosis > of RA enough? > > I'm worried because as far as I can tell, my income will go down slowly > as I become more disabled, but then I'll have to wait several years for > the SSDI to get approved. Could get pretty ugly in the interim > > Thx in advance for your help... > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 10, 2008 Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 , Thanks for the info, I guess at a first glance I look like I can do fine and I am young and people are surprised to know how much pain and problems I really have. Since I am divorced and have no family around I can't make a huge adjustment like that cause I just make ends meet now. Do they look at how much you made the last few years and match it to a certain percentage of that? I think I have a little more fight in me so I will try to make it a few more years. I was diagnosed at 5 and it really has rapidly progressed the last few years. Only recently have I been to doctors so I have over 10 years on not going to one so I thought they may look at that as well. I also thought they may say if I have an office job I can use accomodations to get work done. The fact of the matter is I have not needed one and I do outstanding work. Also what other types of benefits may I qualify for? Would they take into account my young daughter? I take a lot of medicine too and I wonder how I will pay for that? Thanks Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 10, 2008 Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 Andy, After the SS doctor looked at my hands and saw the lack of muscle between my index finger and my thumb he said I was a shoe in to recieve disability,he was right, granted first time thru.I was only 35 at the time and looked fine to everyone else. Geoff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 10, 2008 Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 Geoff I found out the hard way, that keeping detailed records, doctor's reports, names, phone numbers, etc. was instrumental in my getting approved for SSDI after my second attempt. Initially I was turned down, because amongst the list of reasons for denial, I was accused of not keeping an appointment with a gynecologist! Obviously, I don't need their services. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 11, 2008 Report Share Posted October 11, 2008 Geoff, Thanks for the info, I also have muscle loss between my thumb and index finger and looks like a web and loose skin and that is the least of my problems so it seems it is hopeful I may be approved even at my age. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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