Disability Claim

[Guest guest]

Hello Everyone!

This is a question for those who have or are going through/have gone through the

disability claim process. I filed for disability in January of this year and

have been waiting for a reply. In Wisconsin they have approx 120 days to

respond. And depending on which representative from disability I speak to am

told either I should have a response by the 120th day or it's just approximate.

Anyhow! On day 121 I finally received a letter (after many calls trying to

figure out what was going on). Still no decision however. The letter informed me

that they needed me to be evaluated by one of " their " doctors for additional

info and listed what type of exams/tests I would need and who would be doing

them. The person I am seeing is NOT an MD, he is a EDD. I am guessing this is

some type of shrink? Anyone know? Secondly the place I am going is an insurance

agency. Wierd, I'm thinking maybe this is a multiple office building and that's

the name of the building but I guess I'll just have to wait and see. But my

biggest concern is what I am going there for. One thing is Memory Testing which

I completely understand as that is something that does hinder my ability to

perform my job. All though I it can vary from day to day. Anyone have this done?

The other thing they want done is a Mental Health Evaluation. What??!! I really

don't understand why they are asking for this and am feeling a bit offended. Are

they really going to try to say I am making all this up? After 2 surgeries and

my own doctors seeing that I continue to decline and struggle? I still continue

to try to work but it isn't going well but I would think that the fact that I am

trying (and failing) rather than just not working would be proof that it is

difficult for me. I am grateful to my employer for allowing me to continue to

work these limited hours and put up with my continued struggles. (lateness, sick

days, mistakes, not being able to perform all my job duties, etc) anywhere else

I'm sure I would of been fired long ago just on my attendance! Maybe their

kindness is actually hindering disability decision?

Anyhow, has anyone else had to have a Mental Health Evaluation? What exactly

does it entail? Did it help in getting a decision? And how so? I guess if they

think I'm just crazy then I file an appeal adding mental health issues to my

growing list of disorders!

I am just at a point where I just want/need to know either way so we can plan

for whatever the outcome. It's getting harder and harder for me to work. I've

gone from 32+hours a week to 12 to 10-11 to 8-10 now. We are borrowing from

to pay because all our savings were depleted last year with me having

to take unpaid leave for both my surgeries. And have now taken out a loan

against my life insurance policy's available cash value in hopes that it gets us

a little closer to that " yes " I have tried to remain pessimistic about getting

that yes because I know it is very rare to get approved on the first try but

it's been hard convincing my husband of this. I feel so much guilt because of

all this.

Debbie