Applying for Social Security Disability (SSI/SSDI)

[KitCat]

@Clerner, please don't give up the fight for benefits! In the long run, some of your stress will be relieved once you start receiving benefits, but I know it sucks at the moment!

I don't know if things have changed much in the last 20 years, but when I applied for Social Security, very few people got in on the first try or on reconsideration. You have your best chance with an appeal, which is the point where I believe you definitely should get a lawyer on board to help you. Do follow through with requesting a reconsideration though, because you never know if someone may reverse the decision.

great advice. totally correct.

33% get approved in initial applications, and only 7% for reconsideration, then 65% for appeals. You have to continue on to appeal stage

However... in my experience, there is a reason no one gets on during reconsideration. Most people to do not make an effort during this stage, they just send back the reconsideration forms and it is usually an automatic denial.

You can decide if you feel up to making more effort now, or feel it is better to just wait for the hearing appeal.

I helped someone else get on during reconsideration.... so it is possible.

But the chances are higher for appeal for sure.... so if you don't feel well enough to make an extra effort right now, or if you want to move forward and not delay, then just send back the reconsideration forms, get a lawyer, get the reconsideration decision and then wait for a hearing....

this is what almost everyone does, and it is also a good way to do it.

 

[KitCat]

also, it is very good for your case that you have not been working at all. from what I have seen that does improve your chances.

 

[Horizon]

It's a physically and emotionally draining process but you need to have a lawyer and keep appealing. Also, keep seeing your doctors atleast every 3 months

 

[KitCat]

I have just put together and posted a few more blog posts:

Great Ways To Greatly Improve an Initial Application

• How and Where to Get Started
• Find Out if You Are Eligible
• What Happens When You List a "Contact Person"
• The Best Way to Fill Out an Adult Function Form
• Notes on Unemployment Insurance
• When to Quit Your Job (and When Not To)
• Do You Need a Lawyer?

Great Ways To Greatly Improve a Reconsideration

• The trick to winning reconsideration claims
• When to do something and when to do nothing
• Do you need a lawyer?

Great Ways To Greatly Improve a Hearing Appeal

• Hire a Lawyer or Representative
• Prepare for Your Hearing
• Get a Feel for What It Will Feel Like The Day of Your Hearing
• What questions will the judge ask?
• What to expect the day of your hearing

 

[frog_in_the_fog]

It really helps to get a doctor who supports your disability well in advance of your appeal. My mistake was finding out I would not get support in the weeks before my appeal. I don't think I could count on any doctor to back me up even today. Here's hoping some trips to Stanford might do the trick...

 

[KitCat]

It really helps to get a doctor who supports your disability well in advance of your appeal. My mistake was finding out I would not get support in the weeks before my appeal. I don't think I could count on any doctor to back me up even today. Here's hoping some trips to Stanford might do the trick...

This is excellent advice. I'm sorry to hear your doctor didn't support you.

Are you still applying? What are you doing in stanford?

 

[frog_in_the_fog]

This is excellent advice. I'm sorry to hear your doctor didn't support you. Are you still applying? What are you doing in stanford?

I am getting a new round of testing at Stanford's CFS clinic. Perhaps then I will get the validation I need to convince my new PCP.

Back when I first applied for SSDI back about ten years ago, I didn't know what was making me so ill. So I thought I could apply for SSDI on the basis of not being able to work, well I learned it doesn't work that way. I was deemed physically able to work and mentally able to work. It didn't matter that I felt so very sick and couldn't even add two numbers together; the illness was effectively invisible to the observer. The appeal went no where even with the help of an advocate, he felt his time was wasted. He was as frustrated as I was with the turn of events.

 

[KitCat]

I am getting a new round of testing at Stanford's CFS clinic. Perhaps then I will get the validation I need to convince my new PCP.

Back when I first applied for SSDI back about ten years ago, I didn't know what was making me so ill. So I thought I could apply for SSDI on the basis of not being able to work, well I learned it doesn't work that way. I was deemed physically able to work and mentally able to work. It didn't matter that I felt so very sick and couldn't even add two numbers together; the illness was effectively invisible to the observer. The appeal went no where even with the help of an advocate, he felt his time was wasted. He was as frustrated as I was with the turn of events.

I am sorry to hear the struggles you had with applying for disability.

I would love to know the outcomes of your trip to stanford, if you don't mind sharing.... what tests they run and what kind of results these show and I'd love to hear your opinion on whether you think the work they do there would be very helpful for disability applications (even if you are not applying right now, I'd love to hear what you think).

If you don't mind me asking, why are you staying with a doctor who doesn't believe you?

 

[Clerner]

@KitCat. Disability still has not sent my mental exam and physical exam to my primary Doctor! I had filled out forms for each to be sent! Talked to my case worker 4 weeks ago telling them to fax copies to my pcp so I could get a copy. Ugh! Just checked at my doctor'said office and disability has not sent either! I'm so frustrated and would like to know what these doctors said. I know memory problems were apparent!
The denial letter said I could not do heavy work but I was not severe enough bc I could "communicate, get along with others and take care of my needs ( dressing/eating)"
I will write for a reconsideration and try for my primary dr. to write something, as my specialist doctors rfc made no difference.
I just don't know if he'll be willing to do anything as he sent me 3x to infectious disease. But, again he has great notes of all my symptoms.

 

[Clerner]

Perhaps then I will get the validation I need to convince my new PCP.

Even if you have lots of medical evidence and know what's causing the illness, many doctors still will not acknowledge cfs/ fibro. I had a dx of fibromyalgia and cfs from a specialist and lots of medical evidence and still got denied. It really sucks when most doctors don't believe you.

 

[KitCat]

@KitCat. Disability still has not sent my mental exam and physical exam to my primary Doctor! I had filled out forms for each to be sent! Talked to my case worker 4 weeks ago telling them to fax copies to my pcp so I could get a copy. Ugh! Just checked at my doctor'said office and disability has not sent either! I'm so frustrated and would like to know what these doctors said. I know memory problems were apparent!
The denial letter said I could not do heavy work but I was not severe enough bc I could "communicate, get along with others and take care of my needs ( dressing/eating)"
I will write for a reconsideration and try for my primary dr. to write something, as my specialist doctors rfc made no difference.
I just don't know if he'll be willing to do anything as he sent me 3x to infectious disease. But, again he has great notes of all my symptoms.

You can request a copy of your entire case file on CD. It should have the doctor's reports and everything else in there.

 

[Clerner]

You can request a copy of your entire case file on CD. It should have the doctor's reports and everything else in there.

Are you positive? I can't even get them to send to my doctor and I filled out forms. I will call my case worker tomorrow. She apparently does nothing I ask her to!

 

[KitCat]

Are you positive? I can't even get them to send to my doctor and I filled out forms. I will call my case worker tomorrow. She apparently does nothing I ask her to!

Yes I am positive

Don't call the claims examiner. Your file won't be at that office anymore. Call your local office. Ask for your case file on CD. If the person doesn't know (possible!), keep asking or ask to speak to someone else.

I can't promise the CD quality. Some people find them very helpful. Other people report their CDs were confusing.

 

[frog_in_the_fog]

Yes I am positive

Don't call the claims examiner. Your file won't be at that office anymore. Call your local office. Ask for your case file on CD. If the person doesn't know (possible!), keep asking or ask to speak to someone else.

I can't promise the CD quality. Some people find them very helpful. Other people report their CDs were confusing.

Back when I was dealing with SSDI they would release the physical exam records, but they would NOT release the mental exam records to me. Sounds like they are releasing all records now. Is that correct?

 

[Clerner]

. Is that correct?

Yes, you are sent a form asking if you want the reports, both physical and mental, Sent to a specific doctor. I filled out name, phone and fax. Then called to remind them to send it. Still nothing. Mental exam was May 24th.

 

[KitCat]

Back when I was dealing with SSDI they would release the physical exam records, but they would NOT release the mental exam records to me. Sounds like they are releasing all records now. Is that correct?

Oh, interesting, I didn't know that.

I was under the impression that they burn a CD with everything on it. But.... I could be wrong.

I know several people who got their CDs for mental health claims, none of them mentioned any records missing.

I did read in the SSA policy - Mental Health doctors are not required to release their treatment notes to social security, just the medical records parts. So, if the doctor didn't release the notes, obviously those wouldn't be there. This really wouldn't apply to the social security doc though.

This is a good question though!

Maybe @Clerner can get the CD and report back and let us know

 

[Clerner]

I was under the impression that they burn a CD with everything on it. But.... I could be wrong.

Yeah, I'm not sure about a cd directly to me. Seems like they will only release stuff to your primary Doctor. I don't think they will send anything to me directly. I will let you know.

 

[KitCat]

Yeah, I'm not sure about a cd directly to me. Seems like they will only release stuff to your primary Doctor. I don't think they will send anything to me directly. I will let you know.

yep, it will go to you

I know I said I was positive last time, and it turns out I may be wrong about the mental health part...

but this time I really am positive!

I helped one person get their CD, and I saw this one with my own eyes. Plus I have met many others online who have their CDs.

My question is, would they leave something off the CD if it is related to mental health, and I am not 100% sure on that part. There are a lot of special HIPPA regs around psych records and protecting the patient from harm by seeing their own records and yadda yadda yadda.

The CD I saw 100% definitely had the report from the social security physical doctor, but this person wasn't sent for a mental exam.

Yes, please keep us posted on what happens!!

 

[halcyon]

Testing can be helpful, but from what I have read, it is not necessarily the best/only way to prove a cfs claims.

I was just approved on the first attempt. I sent in stomach biopsy enterovirus test results, enterovirus serology test results, and results from autonomic testing showing POTS and autonomic neuropathy. I had to fill out a work history report and a fatigue questionnaire. I'm not sure what all they got from my doctors.

 

[KitCat]

I was just approved on the first attempt. I sent in stomach biopsy enterovirus test results, enterovirus serology test results, and results from autonomic testing showing POTS and autonomic neuropathy. I had to fill out a work history report and a fatigue questionnaire. I'm not sure what all they got from my doctors.

This is very helpful. Thank you so much for sharing this. I am going to have to look up what some of these tests are!! I am trying to gather info on testing that helps with cfs claims, so this is great to know.

I'd love to learn more about your experience if you are willing to share...

What kind of doctors gave you these tests? Did you have to go to special labs or facilities? Were these tests covered by insurance?

Congrats on getting approved on the first attempt. That is super.

I am also curious what fatigue questionnaire you filled out. Do you mean the "adult function report" sent by social security? or was this something different?

Did you ask your doctor to fill out function forms or write a letter for you or do anything else special?

Did you you list CFS as your disability condition? In your award letter, did it say what condition you were approved for?

If you don't want to answer all this AOK. I don't meet many folks who get on the first time and I'd love to learn more.