My SS Update

ncnarcoleptic · Posted: July 08 2007 Post subject: My SS Update

Hey all!
It's been many moons since I've posted so I'm way out of the loop. Good to see some familiar names among the posts.

Here's the condensed version...

Finally after one year, a lawyer, and $1800 I was awarded my short-term disability benefits. Within approximately two months, a lawyer, and $1500 later, I was awarded my long-term disability. Both these plans were through my employer.

My sleep doctor decided to retire, move to the west coast, and didn't bother to tell me.
Now I'm seeing another doctor from the same clinic and I'm not thrilled. Time to find another doc even if it means traveling a little farther.

I applied for SS benefits in Oct 2006. Was denied in December 2006. Obtained a lawyer for the first appeal. Was again denied in June 2007. Now the lawyer is working on a hearing date. So that's it for now.

On a final note, as much as I hate the thought of having to share any benefits with a lawyer, it seems like the only way to get anywhere in the dense jungle of disability insurance and social security. These experiences have only shown that you will be denied over and over. The ins companies and the SSA know that for every denied applicant that becomes discouraged and doesn't appeal--that's one less check they'll have to cut each month! There are some good lawyers that will take your case on a contingency basis.

Press on!

Countingsheep · Posted: July 11 2007 Post subject:

So? When's the party?!?

Congratulations on your STD and LTD. And, I wish you MUCH luck on the SSD. While I struggled thru' them, I had no major issues with my STD and initial LTD. Just a word of caution on your LTD... They can still cut you off whenever they feel like it. ESPECIALLY if social security isn't helping them to offset their costs.

My LTD paid out, and then arbitrarily cut me off. Now I have lawyers for both LTD and SSD! BUT, it's LOVELY to hear some success stories out there. Congrats again.

P.S. This post looks like one big acronym! Laughing

ncnarcoleptic · Posted: July 12 2007 Post subject:

Hey CountingSheep!

Good to hear from you!

I understand what you mean about LTD!! Within two weeks of being awarded my LTD and my lawyer signing off, the insurance company sent me "a form" to have filled out by my doctor. Now I have to make sure the doctor does his job and returns the form in a timely manner. I've already received the "get your Dr to return the form or else" call from the insurance company. No rest for the weary!!!

Oh, by the way, I may have to change my screen name from "NCNarcoleptic" to "Possible NCNarcoleptic" or "Questionable NCNarcoleptic" Once I received my medical records from the sleep Dr., I noticed his diagnosis changed frequently...Narcolepsy...Possible Narcolepsy...Questionable Narcolepsy...hahahahahahahhhahahaha

Take care!

Countingsheep · Posted: July 13 2007 Post subject:

My attorney told me to expect the LTD company to continuously try to cut me off for the rest of my life (if I continue to claim disability). I wish there was some watchdog preventing them from HARASSING us. Once someone proves they are disabled, just let us alone!

Yes, docs do that, don't they? And if the insurance co's get their hands on that, they could use it as evidence not to give benefits... The whole system is unbelievable.

I just got my neuro's records to send onto another neuro she is sending me to. She mentions a possible "psychogenic" factor in my balance issues... I assume that means psychiatric? In other words, because she can't figure out why I'm falling on my face, it must be in my head? Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

I need a psychiatrist to learn to deal with all of the doctors. AND insurance companies. AND lawyers for that matter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!