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NYNC
Joined: 03 Sep 2006
Posts: 11
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 Posted: September 04 2006 Post subject: From some one who made it |
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I was awarded Social Security Disability last year when I was 25. I wish I could say exactly it is you need to prove to get it. I have read some of the other post with people with way worse problems than myself and I feel guilty that I was able to and yet so many others are un able. The first time I applied I was denied. It happened that my sleep study paper word from years back was never pulled thus my current doc did not fill out any of the paper work, so SSDI received nothing. The next time I applied I made sure I had copies of everything before I applied.
Based on my specific experience this is the limited advice I can give.
First step is stop working for a while. Sounds counter intuitive especially sinse we cant live with out money. The first question is going to be "When did you become disabled" This date, from what I could tell, MUST be after you stopped working other wise the thinking will be "well, how could you be disabled". Even in my case I said I became disabled on one date, but they said “the evidence we have obtained first shows a disabling condition on the more recent date” which was about 17 months later. Now you know, and I know that sleep disorders don’t just happen to you on some date, but it’s the game we must play.
Next before we get into lawyers, you need a good doc who has experience with other patients and disability paper work. As some other people mentioned its not so much the condition, but how it affects your work. So, yea, Derrick has Narcolepsy and head aches, but so what. But now even when he is awake he cant focus, he cant sit at a desk and perform essential task, he cant operate machinery, he cant drive back and forth to work, he has poor social skills from growing up with it ect ect... Your doc needs to at least act like he believes you Need this.
Paper work has to be complete and submitted on time. Occasionally they will send to you or your doc specific questions; they must be answered completely and sent back quickly. If they call your doc has to answer or call them back. He needs to ExplaiN WhY what you have makes you qualify, not so much WhaT you have.
Usually the state agency, based on Fed outlines, will make the decision, every so often a case gets sent to the Fed level for review. My case was all ready for approval when it was selected for review. Im my case the people (at the Office of Temp and Disability Assistance, not really the people at the local SS office) seemed interested in the details and after reading the paper work and speaking with the doc wanted to approve my case.
This info probably seems general and obvious, just for anybody going into it, these steps seemed to make the difference for me.
As far as getting info, the local SS office and the 800 number are relativly usless. If you call, request any paper work they have on the topic, past that you can pretty much become an expert from the SSA website. |
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Cindy T
Joined: 18 Aug 2005
Posts: 2506
Location: Spokane, WA
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| Posted: September 16 2006 Post subject: From some one who made it |
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| Quote: | First step is stop working for a while. Sounds counter intuitive especially sinse we cant live with out money. The first question is going to be "When did you become disabled" This date, from what I could tell, MUST be after you stopped working other wise the thinking will be "well, how could you be disabled". Even in my case I said I became disabled on one date, but they said “the evidence we have obtained first shows a disabling condition on the more recent date” which was about 17 months later. Now you know, and I know that sleep disorders don’t just happen to you on some date, but it’s the game we must play.
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Actually, in my case, it was determined by the SSA that the date I became disabled was the LAST DAY that I actually worked. Remember, the SSA doesn't pay you for the next five months after the month you became disabled. So, in total, you cannot collect any benefits for the first six months of your disability. That is six months from the date you became disabled. I was found to be disabled in September 2003, but SSA wouldn't pay me anything until after March of 2004, but the DATE I became disabled is in September 2003. Make sense?
If someone feels that they are disabled and can no longer work, DON'T WALK - RUN into your local Social Security Office. As soon as you can't work anymore, go right in and apply for your benefits.
| Quote: | Next before we get into lawyers, you need a good doc who has experience with other patients and disability paper work. As some other people mentioned its not so much the condition, but how it affects your work. So, yea, Derrick has Narcolepsy and head aches, but so what. But now even when he is awake he cant focus, he cant sit at a desk and perform essential task, he cant operate machinery, he cant drive back and forth to work, he has poor social skills from growing up with it ect ect... Your doc needs to at least act like he believes you Need this.
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Yes, your sleep specialist has great influence in your decision. Always be honest and up-front with your doctor. It is far more than "your doc needs to at least act like he believes you Need this." Why wouldn't he believe you?
| Quote: | As far as getting info, the local SS office and the 800 number are relativly usless. If you call, request any paper work they have on the topic, past that you can pretty much become an expert from the SSA website.
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I have found the toll-free number and my local office to be extremely helpful. What do you mean you can "become an expert from the SSA website"? You make it sound as if you studied the website and went into this process with a "plan" to win a disability case. It sounds like you did some studying somewhere on how to win a disability case even though you are not really disabled. 
Sorry, I don't mean to sound uncaring, but you make it sound like maybe you are not really disabled, but instead knew the right words to say or write to win your case.
Please forgive me if I am wrong. 
Cindy |
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NYNC
Joined: 03 Sep 2006
Posts: 11
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| Posted: September 16 2006 Post subject: |
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| Quote: | Actually, in my case, it was determined by the SSA that the date I became disabled was the LAST DAY that I actually worked. Remember, the SSA doesn't pay you for the next five months after the month you became disabled. So, in total, you cannot collect any benefits for the first six months of your disability. That is six months from the date you became disabled. I was found to be disabled in September 2003, but SSA wouldn't pay me anything until after March of 2004, but the DATE I became disabled is in September 2003. Make sense?
If someone feels that they are disabled and can no longer work, DON'T WALK - RUN into your local Social Security Office. As soon as you can't work anymore, go right in and apply for your benefits. |
Yea same with me, they said the evidence showed the date was actually later then I said. Then it was 6 months after the date they determined. But in this example, for somebody like me who did not just become disabled on some specific date (cause really life began to suck in 8th grade), lets say u stop working on Jan 1 2006 and the date u became disabled is gonna be Jan 1 2006. You can go in the office on Jan 2 and your benifits will start in say June 2006. But on the other hand if you would have stioped working July 2005, even if you go in on Jan 2 2006 your benifits will start in Jan 2006 (once, if, your awarded). Kinda complicated but maybe I explained ok.
| Quote: | | Yes, your sleep specialist has great influence in your decision. Always be honest and up-front with your doctor. It is far more than "your doc needs to at least act like he believes you Need this." Why wouldn't he believe you? |
Yea of course you be honest they are your doc and they know your condidtion. But docs tend to hate paper work and interuptions (at least mine does), so if they rush though your work its gonna look like they dont really believe in your case or they are just BS'n. So make sure your doc is on the same page with you and is ready for the extra paper work and calls. Iv heard of docs just not doing the paper work or taking forever to send them back. Even if he thinks your are disabled, that looks as if he dosent believe in your case. Thats what I mean by "at leasr act like".
[quote]
PostPosted: September 16 2006 Post subject: From some one who made it
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First step is stop working for a while. Sounds counter intuitive especially sinse we cant live with out money. The first question is going to be "When did you become disabled" This date, from what I could tell, MUST be after you stopped working other wise the thinking will be "well, how could you be disabled". Even in my case I said I became disabled on one date, but they said “the evidence we have obtained first shows a disabling condition on the more recent date” which was about 17 months later. Now you know, and I know that sleep disorders don’t just happen to you on some date, but it’s the game we must play.
Actually, in my case, it was determined by the SSA that the date I became disabled was the LAST DAY that I actually worked. Remember, the SSA doesn't pay you for the next five months after the month you became disabled. So, in total, you cannot collect any benefits for the first six months of your disability. That is six months from the date you became disabled. I was found to be disabled in September 2003, but SSA wouldn't pay me anything until after March of 2004, but the DATE I became disabled is in September 2003. Make sense?
If someone feels that they are disabled and can no longer work, DON'T WALK - RUN into your local Social Security Office. As soon as you can't work anymore, go right in and apply for your benefits.
Quote:
Next before we get into lawyers, you need a good doc who has experience with other patients and disability paper work. As some other people mentioned its not so much the condition, but how it affects your work. So, yea, Derrick has Narcolepsy and head aches, but so what. But now even when he is awake he cant focus, he cant sit at a desk and perform essential task, he cant operate machinery, he cant drive back and forth to work, he has poor social skills from growing up with it ect ect... Your doc needs to at least act like he believes you Need this.
Yes, your sleep specialist has great influence in your decision. Always be honest and up-front with your doctor. It is far more than "your doc needs to at least act like he believes you Need this." Why wouldn't he believe you?
Quote:
As far as getting info, the local SS office and the 800 number are relativly usless. If you call, request any paper work they have on the topic, past that you can pretty much become an expert from the SSA website.
| Quote: | | I have found the toll-free number and my local office to be extremely helpful. What do you mean you can "become an expert from the SSA website"? You make it sound as if you studied the website and went into this process with a "plan" to win a disability case. It sounds like you did some studying somewhere on how to win a disability case even though you are not really disabled. Rolling Eyes |
As far as the web site stuff, thats more for once you actually have your benifits and you need to know if your allowed to make any income as you work, the rules about substantial income or a little complicated, maybe u wanna know where u can live, if you can move, if you can also apply for medicaid things like that. When I was in the Bronx unfortunatly my local office wasnt much help, hard to get in contact with via phone, and when I had appt;s it was hard to sit there for hours while I waited 2 hours for my 10:00 am apt. And from my personal experience when I ask the 800 number questions they umm and uhhh and then just offer to send me a booklet. So I guess from my experience the web site has been better for information.
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Sorry, I don't mean to sound uncaring, but you make it sound like maybe you are not really disabled, but instead knew the right words to say or write to win your case. |
Yea I guess some one could read it that way, but in reality even if I did figure out exactly the complicated formula they use, I dont fill out any thing or talk to any one so the knowledge is still usless with out being able to be my own doctor lol.
P.S. I did not spell check this, youll just have to sound it out lol. |
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Cindy T
Joined: 18 Aug 2005
Posts: 2506
Location: Spokane, WA
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| Posted: September 21 2006 Post subject: From some one who made it |
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| Quote: | Actually, in my case, it was determined by the SSA that the date I became disabled was the LAST DAY that I actually worked. Remember, the SSA doesn't pay you for the next five months after the month you became disabled. So, in total, you cannot collect any benefits for the first six months of your disability. That is six months from the date you became disabled. I was found to be disabled in September 2003, but SSA wouldn't pay me anything until after March of 2004, but the DATE I became disabled is in September 2003. Make sense?
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| Quote: | First step is stop working for a while. Sounds counter intuitive especially sinse we cant live with out money. The first question is going to be "When did you become disabled" This date, from what I could tell, MUST be after you stopped working other wise the thinking will be "well, how could you be disabled". Even in my case I said I became disabled on one date, but they said “the evidence we have obtained first shows a disabling condition on the more recent date” which was about 17 months later. Now you know, and I know that sleep disorders don’t just happen to you on some date, but it’s the game we must play.
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| Quote: | Yea same with me, they said the evidence showed the date was actually later then I said. Then it was 6 months after the date they determined. But in this example, for somebody like me who did not just become disabled on some specific date (cause really life began to suck in 8th grade), lets say u stop working on Jan 1 2006 and the date u became disabled is gonna be Jan 1 2006. You can go in the office on Jan 2 and your benifits will start in say June 2006. But on the other hand if you would have stioped working July 2005, even if you go in on Jan 2 2006 your benifits will start in Jan 2006 (once, if, your awarded). Kinda complicated but maybe I explained ok.
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The whole "date you became disabled" thing is very complicated, but yes, I understand what you're saying.
None of us becomes disabled on any certain date, but the SSA must have some reference points in time to determine a specific date. I stopped working Sept. 4, 2003, but I didn't plan on doing so. I just called into work, next day-same thing. I never returned to work after that date. I waited until Feb. or March of 2004 to even file my disability claim.
In reality, I was probably disabled long before this time. I should have filed sooner, but that probably wouldn't have changed the date I became disabled. By the time I had filed, the waiting period had already passed by several months. So, when they determined my monthly benefit amount, they just went back to six months after the date I became disabled, and paid me retro from March 2004 in December 2004.
It's really hard to explain, I guess, unless you've been through the process. In my case, the date I became disabled happened to be that last day that I made it to work. From there, it was all downhill physically and mentally for me. I was physically drained at this point, and could barely hold my head up.
Learning that I could no longer work was very devastating to my emotional status. It's a hard blow to face the reality of. I felt useless.  I had a standard of living to maintain and five children and a husband. When my income went from $3200 a month to $0 for a short time, I don't know how we made it. Now, with my SSD income, I still don't earn as much as I did while I was still working, but it sure beats what public assistance pays. Although my standard of living hasn't changed, I have fewer funds to live on. But SS beats nothing when you can't work anymore.
Take care. 
Cindy |
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sassyzzz
Joined: 28 Jun 2006
Posts: 205
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| Posted: September 21 2006 Post subject: |
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| NYNC, you never said what your disability was....just curious since you said it wasn't as bad as others on here. |
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NYNC
Joined: 03 Sep 2006
Posts: 11
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| Posted: September 21 2006 Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | Learning that I could no longer work was very devastating to my emotional status. It's a hard blow to face the reality of. I felt useless. Crying or Very sad I had a standard of living to maintain and five children and a husband. When my income went from $3200 a month to $0 for a short time, I don't know how we made it. Now, with my SSD income, I still don't earn as much as I did while I was still working, but it sure beats what public assistance pays. Although my standard of living hasn't changed, I have fewer funds to live on. But SS beats nothing when you can't work anymore. Wink |
Yea, I was living at home when it all happened for me, but I was planning on leaving, I knew I couldnt live in NY and I couldnt do it alone. So i just been out here in NC in the burbs living the simple life.
| Quote: | | NYNC, you never said what your disability was....just curious since you said it wasn't as bad as others on here. |
I have Narcolepsy. I say not as bad cause I read about some people on here with chronic pain, and cataplexy. I dont have either. I primarily have the bad daytime sleepiness, bad concentration, head aches and migranes (I dont know if related) the dreamin while stil awake, sometimes wake up paralized, scary dreams etc.. |
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Countingsheep
Joined: 23 Feb 2006
Posts: 1176
Location: Northern New Jersey
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| Posted: September 21 2006 Post subject: |
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NYNC, glad to hear the system worked for someone, especially a younger person! I was turned down at the ALJ level. I've hired a new attorney and I'm appealing. I'd much rather be working than doing this social security stuff.
The comments were made about "not really disabled, but instead knew the right words to say or write to win your case. " Unfortunately, I think this is true. Whether or not you are or you aren't disabled, if you don't know how to "play the game" you won't win. Unfortunately, I guess I'm one of those people. Despite my inability to work, mostly due to my sleep disorder, I can't seem to get social security disability. But, I'm trying to keep up the energy to keep trying. |
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NYNC
Joined: 03 Sep 2006
Posts: 11
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| Posted: September 21 2006 Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | the comments were made about "not really disabled, but instead knew the right words to say or write to win your case. " Unfortunately, I think this is true. Whether or not you are or you aren't disabled, if you don't know how to "play the game" you won't win. Unfortunately, I guess I'm one of those people. Despite my inability to work, mostly due to my sleep disorder, I can't seem to get social security disability. But, I'm trying to keep up the energy to keep trying. |
Yea I hate it has to be that way too. knowledge is everything. I rather not be here either, rather be normal with no ceiling on my potential income and success wise. Im hoping I can maybe do some work now that can turn into something that I can support myself and contribute at home with. What ever you do though, dont give up, you know the truth, and its always worth fighting for. |
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Countingsheep
Joined: 23 Feb 2006
Posts: 1176
Location: Northern New Jersey
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| Posted: September 21 2006 Post subject: |
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| I must be an emotional wreck today. I cried when I read your reply! What a mess I am... |
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pestkaj
Joined: 21 Jul 2005
Posts: 45
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: January 31 2007 Post subject: |
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| Countingsheep wrote: | NYNC, glad to hear the system worked for someone, especially a younger person! I was turned down at the ALJ level. I've hired a new attorney and I'm appealing. I'd much rather be working than doing this social security stuff.
The comments were made about "not really disabled, but instead knew the right words to say or write to win your case. " Unfortunately, I think this is true. Whether or not you are or you aren't disabled, if you don't know how to "play the game" you won't win. Unfortunately, I guess I'm one of those people. Despite my inability to work, mostly due to my sleep disorder, I can't seem to get social security disability. But, I'm trying to keep up the energy to keep trying. |
Well tack on depression to that list of symptoms- certainly all the struggle is giving you at least a bit of dysthemia, no? They are much more likely to approve you for something like a mental illness, which is so hard to prove, then for a sleep disorder. Sad but true. |
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Countingsheep
Joined: 23 Feb 2006
Posts: 1176
Location: Northern New Jersey
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| Posted: February 01 2007 Post subject: |
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pestkaj,
I wasn't seeing a psychiatrist until recently. He's been great. He said his support alone should get me the disability. This is new info I will be submitting. Perhaps the depressive side effects of my problems will be enough to get awarded SSI.
But, funny enough (or not), I am also trying to get my long term disability restated (they paid for two years then stopped). According to my lawyer for this case, they can cut off payments if it's for a psychiatric reason! Therefore, I can't give them the submissions from my psychiatrist! 
Isn't that unreal?
If I had to pick one or the other, I'd rather get my long term disability. It pays a lot more than SSI. Of course, right now, I'm getting nothing. I'd be happy with ANYTHING. |
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pestkaj
Joined: 21 Jul 2005
Posts: 45
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: February 02 2007 Post subject: |
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Sheesh, what a joke. I wish you the best in all of it.
In retrospect I am actually glad things worked out the way they did for me. The SSD came for the depression and the sleep diagnosis came after I was already on SSD. I think to try to get SSD with just the sleep stuff or the sleep stuff as primary would have been impossible for me. |
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Countingsheep
Joined: 23 Feb 2006
Posts: 1176
Location: Northern New Jersey
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| Posted: February 03 2007 Post subject: |
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That's why the depression thing should help now. Hopefully that will be enough to get me approved.
Wish me luck... |
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cincydarryl
Joined: 04 Apr 2007
Posts: 10
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| Posted: July 15 2007 Post subject: |
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Good luck Countingsheep!
I am still trying to find an IH/N support group in Cincinnati. No luck as of yet. The guy that ran the group left town and no one has gotten it back up, except for spammers!
Cincydarryl |
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csever01
Joined: 25 Sep 2005
Posts: 607
Location: Minneapolis, MN
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| Posted: October 05 2007 Post subject: |
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This post was encouraging, as I am 25 and just recently applied for SSDI. Their official definition of "date you became disabled" is the first day you were not working. According to the guy I talked to, he said it's actually more helpful to your case to apply IMMEDIATELY after you stop working because it proves to some degree that you really did all you could to keep working before you applied. So that's what I did.
They are keeping me buried in paperwork. I have N, and I have had a difficult time getting all of it done. On one hand, I feel like I need to get it in on time, but then on the other hand, I feel like they will say, "See, he got the papers back to us fast, so he clearly can work."
What has me scared now is that they are sending me to a psychologist for evaluation in two weeks. I just don't know what to expect. Unfortunately, I agree with most of you here - it's how you play their game that determines the outcome. But how can I play good defense if I don't know their next move? I am in the same boat as many - I simply cannot work consistently anymore. But with my luck, I will NEVER be approved because that's just how things tend to go for me.
Any suggestions will be much appreciated! |
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