Re: Abijann-SSDI

[Guest guest]

Hello All,

Just a little info about when I applied for Social Security Disability.

I got my own copies of medical records from the doctors!! This made things go

much faster. I also had the doc who diagnosed me with ESLD to write a letter

that I would have to have a transplant before I could go back to work. MAKE SURE

TO KEEP COPIES OF EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!

My mom is my payee on my SSDI, because I was so bad with encelopathy that I

could barely sign my name. It still isn't readable due to the tremors. She

called Social Security and made a face to face appt. Sorry Bob, but I have never

heard of anyone being approved through applying on the net. Soc Security sent

me the papers, and I had everything they needed when I got to the appt. Soc Sec

only asked for blood tests. Most of the time they have their doc examine you to

make sure you are REALLY disabled. But, I only had to get the blood test. I

applied in April and was approved in August.

The main thing to know is the definition of the disease. You may be able to

get the info on Soc Sec web site. I will check into it. If not, I have a book

here that has the info in it and I can post it here. Let me know if you need it.

Soc Sec is really picky about the wording on the Diagnosis from the doc and the

percentage of disability that the doc sends.

I hope this helps anyone who needs it. If you can't find the definition, let

me know and I will post it ASAP.

God Bless You All,

Tricia

Bob Aragon wrote:

Sharon and I are doing my application on line and wow is it ever

frustrating. Our application expired from a month ago, so she had to start a new

one, then we kept going over the limit of characters, but were pluggin along.

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[Guest guest]

When we did 's application we were told no one ever " passes " the first

time. So when we started we sat down and I explained to how much it

meant to our family finances and we agreed to jump through all the hoops to

" git 'er done " .

I was the typist and interpreter. He would sit with me for about a half hour

or an hour at a time. This was when he was really unwell and it was tough

for him to sit up and talk for that long. I'd read him a question and he'd

answer it. I'd ask him clarifying questions and make suggestions for

crafting his answer so we captured everything accurately.

From work I new one important thing: They are looking for clear info on what

about your symptoms makes it impossible or difficult to work and do regular

daily tasks. So it's not just " I have ascites. " It's more like, " I have pain

in my leg that prevents me from standing for more than 5 minutes. " or " I

have severe constipation alternating with severe diarrhea that makes it

necessary for me to be near a toilet at all times. " or " My level of fatigue

makes it impossible for me to concentrate on ['s work tasks], and makes

it necessary for me to nap several times per day. "

I understood this because I manage a large work group and have worked with

workers' compensation cases and disability cases. It's not how you feel or

what your body is doing . . . . it's how it affects your working and doing

everyday household tasks. As a counter example, let's say you broke your leg

skiing and it was in a cast. And your job was telephone operator. Your

injury would not interfere with your doing your job.

Once or twice each day we'd sit at the computer and work on the application.

I did the legwork of finding the records -- like records of 's hospital

stay. When we submitted the application, we were sure to make a copy for our

records. This is essential.

Once his application was received and he had to do the medical exam, we were

meticulous about him keeping his appointments. At the clinic they sent us

to, we had to fill out new paperwork that asked the same questions, then the

doctor verbally asked the same questions. I don't know if this was an

attempt to trip him up or just bureaucracy, but it was tedious. Make sure

you have your copy of your application with you.

After the doctor examined she " discovered " they didn't have the right

tubes to collect a blood sample. He subsequently had to go back about three

times to get that taken care of. Again, he patiently did that knowing these

people had tremendous power over us, however petty they were.

And, lo and behold, was approved.

So the process is tedious and takes several weeks. But it was worth it. So

keep at it and good luck!

The thing that bugs me is that someone who's ill but has no Dorothy or

Sharon would be at a severe disadvantage in the process. I'm not sure HOW

they'd do their application, and that is really sad.

Take care.

Dorothy