Re: tips for getting SSD approved - just my opinion

[Guest guest]

Just to provide a little clarification on applying for SSD. it is my

understanding that you can apply for SSD once you are no longer worker or

once you are making less than $800 per month from working. However, even if

SSD is approved immediately, you first 'pay' month for SSD would not be

until you have been either (1) out of work for five months or (2) making an

average of $800 or less per month for five months.

It is important to go ahead and apply just as soon as SS will let you as it

takes several months to even get the initial decision. My last day at work

was March 21, 2003 and that is the day that I applied for SSD. The lady at

the local SS office felt sure mine would get approved quickly because I had

a tremendous amount of info documenting my illnesses. However, she told me

that no matter when the SSD was approved, the earliest 'pay' month would be

September 03 since that was the soonest I could reach the 'no pay from

working' and/or no more than $800 per month pay from working' rule. I

received a letter stating my application for SSD had been denied in early

June 2003. Ironically, the denial letter came in the mail the same day I

was released from the hospital. I had spent four days in the hospital, was

released and home for 36 hours and then back in the hospital for 7 more

days. I was admitted with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis both times, but

was discharged with a diagnosis of relapsing chronic idiopathic

pancreatitis. Oh, well, at least I had additional info to include with my

SSD appeal! I had until August 9, 2003 to file an appeal. I mailed the

appeal package and info by certified mail, return receipt requested, the end

of July 2003. I got a call a week or so ago telling me that the judge

looked at my case and said I had more than enough info to document that

there was no way I could work on a full time job. He was going to approve

it without a hearing. Good thing, since the lady told me that it would be a

minimum of a year wait to get a hearing!

Anyway, my main point is that it is probably best to go ahead and apply for

SSD as soon as you are no longer working or as soon as you are averaging

less than $800 per month earned from working. By doing that, you just may

have an approval by the time your 5 month wait is over. In my case, I am

pretty sure I won't get a check the beginning of September, but I should get

a check for both September and October sometime in October.

I believe that there were a few things that helped to get my SSD approved.

This is just my opinion, so take it or leave it.

1. I am somewhat anal retentive when it comes to being detail oriented and

providing information. I had spreadsheets providing the following info in

an easy to read, at a glance format:

a. Lab work - I have a color coded spreadsheet with most of the

pertinent lab work from Oct 2001 to the present

b. All surgeries - dates and the type of surgery

c. All medications

d. Names, addresses, and phone numbers of all doctors and hospitals

e. List of current medical conditions and date diagnosed

2. I wrote a letter explaining how my life had changed since I got sick. I

wanted them to understand that no matter how well educated I am and how much

experience I have, it is currently impossible for me to be a reliable

employee in any job situation.

3. After my application for SSD was denied and I had to file an appeal, I

included information on all doctors and hospitals regarding who would have

what info on my medical conditions. I did this because the initial case

worker had requested info from doctors I had not seen in over two years.

She also didn't bother using information from the doctors that were able to

provide the most current, up to date info on my condition. I believe this

happened because I had applied for SSD back in 2000 when I initially applied

for the federal govt employees disability retirement (as a federal govt

employee, I had to apply for SSD prior to turning in my federal govt

employee's disability application). Anyway, obviously, SS still had the

doctors that I had used back in 2000 in their system. Despite the fact that

I told them very plainly which doctors were currently taking care of me,

they chose to use info from doctors I hadn't seen in over two years and

chose not to use several of my current doctors. In the letter I sent with

my appeal application I made sure to point out exactly which doctors would

have info on my current health status vs who would not. Obviously, doctors

that had not seen me in 1 or more years would have very little relevant

information. I got sick again in July 2002 and applied for SSD in March

2003. If I had not seen the doctor since prior to July 2002, they would

have no way of knowing that I had even gotten sick again!

One of the things that I didn't do but think it could have been helpful was

to keep track of all hospitalizations, ER visits, tests, procedures, and

doctor's appts. That would present a very clear picture in most cases. A

journal depecting the number of hours spent simply getting medical care

would be helpful. When about 50% of your time is spent in the hospital, ER,

doctor's office, procedure location, etc. it is very difficult to fit in a

full time job!

One of the things they ask on the SSD application is how many hours a day

you spend walking, standing, sitting, bending, lifting, etc. They ask how

far you can walk. How long can you stand. Things like that. For me that

varies widely from day to day. I kind of wish I had kept a journal for a

month or so just so I could have given really accurate numbers.

I guess what I'm trying to say is to keep info, info, info, so you can

answer any questions they ask with honesty and accuracy without having to

stress.

Best of luck to anyone facing this battle!

W