Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits ~

[A-Jay]

 We have been trying to get this for my wife for several years.

After going through the entire and somewhat painstakingly long process, 

(takes almost a year for them to come to a decision)

we just received our second 'DENIED' letter.

According to the SSA's definition of 'disabled', my wife is overly qualified.

And has been for years. 

We've sent so much medical paper work & documentation that my brain hurts. 

It's like they just stamp it NO without even looking at the information provided. 

Anyone know the secret password to help these folks figure it out ?

Should we really need to pay someone to 'represent us' for this ?

Seems like a scam.

Clearly, I'm pretty much just venting here, but it's all beyond frustrating,

especially considering the condition Lynn's actually in.

Plan on taking one more stab at it with an appeal and letters from each of her Doctors.

I just don't get it.

A-Jay

 

 

 

[TnRiver46]

That’s about what you get in return for loyal service! Hopefully it gets straightened out one way or another 

[Hoosierman]

My wife has MS and has been on disability for over 15 years.

 

Unfortunately they make it so that you have to get a Lawyer that specializes in these matters.

At least talk to one to see what they think your chances are.

Sure they take some of your back pay but at least you get your disability status. 

[volzfan59]

What @Hoosierman said. I had a cousin that became disabled (now deceased). She tried twice, once with her MD's help. She was denied both times. My niece was married to an attorney and he agreed to help for free. Approved on the first shot.

 

Every pill head, alcoholic, etc can destroy their body and get approved straight out of the gate. There are many healthy folks out there that get disability benefits too. Good, honest people like your wife, Hoosierman's wife, my niece and others that are genuinely disabled have to jump through the bureaucratic hoops and play the governments game.

[MN Fisher]

Andy - I went through the same thing about 6 years ago. Denied twice, hired a lawyer who deals with this exact issue. Contract was "If we get you your money, you pay...if we don't you don't pay". Not only did they get me my SSDI, but it was also back-dated to the day of my first application - paid them out of the 'bulk' check issued for the 'back pay'.

[A-Jay]

@Hoosierman @volzfan59 @MN Fisher

Thank you very much for your replies and sharing your experiences.

 

I would really like to think/hope that there are at least a few qualified humans who have been

able to receive these benefits WITHOUT employing or resorting to Legal Aid. 

 

If not the SSA might as well just put up a price list on the website listing the cost for their services,

because it amounts to the same thing !  

At least then I could simply mail a check with our application.

C'Mon Man. 

And yes, I am disgruntled. 

😒

A-Jay

 

 

 

[MN Fisher]

Just now, A-Jay said:

I would really like to think/hope that there are at least a few qualified humans who have been

able to receive these benefits WITHOUT employing or resorting to Legal Aid.

I can name one - Nora got approved her first try...no issues.

[A-Jay]

Looks like we're going the legal aid route starting Monday morning.

Need to dig out of the blizzard first though . . .

Thanks again.

A-Jay

[MN Fisher]

Good luck on that, my friend...and give that lovely wife of yours a hug from us.

[Hoosierman]

We had a Lawyer and even a court date when we got a call from the lawyer that morning saying that the Judge reviewed the application and approved it.

 

And "YES" it is a scam but that's how the Government set it up (you can't win trying to fight it). 

 

Another issue we had when I retired last year was with her Part B of Medicare. We didn't have insurance for a couple of months years ago so now she pays 1 1/2 times for her part b until she turns 65 this May.

[TnRiver46]

Govt in bed with lawyers?? Never…..

[MN Fisher]

Heck - half or more of them just have to look in a mirror to find a lawyer.

[Hoosierman]

24 of the original constitution signers were lawyers

[Team9nine]

My wife did the same thing getting SS disability for her sister. Everyone she checked with who had been through it said go straight to a lawyer specializing in SS disability, so she did. They simplify the forms and help you answer them properly. They’ll schedule appts., etc. as needed to collect everything for the application and submission, and you’ll have to do the chasing and appts w/o fail, but it went through and approved in well under a year on the first go round. Payment came out of the backdated lump sum initial payment, then everything was good going forward. 

[Scott F]

I called a lawyer that advertised on TV. They also said if I was denied, I didn’t have to pay. I answered a few questions over the phone and was approved quickly. It was well worth a few hundred dollars because of how quickly I got approved it paid for itself the first month. You’ve got nothing to lose by going the legal route when they guarantee success or you don’t pay. If they think you will be rejected, they won’t even take you as a client. 

[roadwarrior]

Anyone know the secret password to help these folks figure it out ?

 

https://www.forthepeople.com/free-case-evaluation/get-a-lawyer/var/search/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=11256099762&utm_term=%2Bmorgan %2B%26 %2Bmorgan&utm_content=665644813845&ads_adsid=665644813845&utm_kxconfid=ty6howcay&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA44OtBhAOEiwAj4gpOV6xx7pa8Wx1Ya8kpsCQa0mZvSLx8qLFte0xEx9o09jhS9l9rcO9NhoCnxkQAvD_BwE

[MN Fisher]

6 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

Anyone know the secret password to help these folks figure it out ?

[12poundbass]

Now I’m disgruntled! Everyone is saying go the lawyer route which seems like that’s the route that’ll get you approval. Why in the bleep should someone have to cough up money to have someone essentially fill out the same paperwork that has already been filled out? In the case with Lynn it should be an open in shut case with a quick approval given her medical records and ongoing treatments. Other cases where it’s not as obvious sure I get it, but this is ridiculous.

 

Who needs coffee in the morning when you can read stories like this to get the blood flowing?

 

Rant over

[BC VC basser]

Quote

20 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Looks like we're going the legal aid route starting Monday morning.

Need to dig out of the blizzard first though . . .

Thanks again.

A-Jay

 

Been down the SSDI road…

Unfortunately a lawyer is the necessary evil in this matter!

 

[islandbass]

@12poundbass  I’m with you.  We as US citizens should get it if we cross every T and dot every I. I was starting to get upset reading the thread and seeing denied UNTIL a lawyer helped out? Wow. And it’s not even a criminal matter. 🤬😡👿😾 
 

@A-Jay Sorry that you have actually seek the services of a lawyer. If you do, I hope they are successful. 

[gim]

@A-Jay when they deny it do they ever give a reason? Or do they just flat out deny it and that’s it?

 

I recall a thread a while ago about someone trying to get VA benefits and having trouble with that too.

[A-Jay]

Not sure what every case may be but in our case the wording in the letter was . . .

 

"Based on a review of your medical conditions, you do not qualify for benefits on this claim.  This is because you are not disabled under our rules.  Doctors and other trained staff looked at your case and made the decision.  They work for the state and use our rules."

 

Based on the experience of what others have been kind enough to share here,

I fully expect this claim to be approved on appeal.

With ZERO NEW information and just the legal representation. 

Just going to take another year & a half.

Hope we have that kind of time.

A-Jay

 

 

[12poundbass]

I’m getting disgruntled again 

[Scott F]

Not that I’m siding in any way with the government, but the amount of Medicare fraud for those claiming disability is staggering. My guess is that reputable lawyers won’t waste their time on cases that don’t qualify because the attorneys don’t get paid if they don’t win. The state recognizes this and possibly believes the lawyers more often because they turn in proper paperwork that has been verified. The people who approve the disability claims are more than likely swamped and won’t spend the time needed to verify claims submitted by individuals that in a lot of cases are fraudulent. They depend on the lawyers to weed out the fakers. I have no information to back up my theory, but it seems like a logical conclusion. 

[MN Fisher]

40 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Just going to take another year & a half.

Might luck out - from calling the lawyer to getting my 'back-pay' check was 6 months.