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Fun with SSDI

Messages
10
So about 3 weeks ago I submitted my SSDI forms online. Today I get a phone call from them (of course no way of knowing they were actually the SSA, but I still have to confirm all my vital info to them over the one).

Then they need to double check some info. Of course what they need to check is things that they have I their official printouts in front of them. They ask when I stopped working from "X" job- I told them, but it seems there was a small payment made afterwards in the next calendar year closing out vacation pay or whatever. So of course this gets flagged as I stopped working in December, but got a final payment in January.

And of course there is mass confusion as between stopping working full time, and filing, I tried a number of part time jobs to try and find something I could do, and while none were very long, or for much money, SSA seems freaked out by exactly how long and for how much I worked... but then it seems they have this info right in front of them from computer reports, but I have to tell them off the top of my head how many hours per week I worked at some crappy $8 an hour job I held for 4 weeks.

And then of course I think the poor woman's head exploded because I had some minor self employment income I reported- oh my God I'm actually trying to find something I can do and make any money I can... I must be hiding something! Especially as I reported it all on my taxes and their forms. And they have every single piece of this in their computer databases on me.

So I guess I now have more forms I have to fill out and return in less than 2 weeks. And I have to find ORIGINAL pay stubbs, and W2's and tax forms, and all that- and somehow fit information that does not go into any box on the form. This will be really fun.
 

geraldt52

Senior Member
Messages
602
I'm afraid it does you no good now, jonn, but anything you have done to try to work part time after not being able to work full time will be used against you by Soc Sec. Paraphrasing my Administrative Law Judge: "It's obvious that you decided you didn't want to work full time anymore, and when you couldn't find any more part time jobs that suited you, you applied for disability." Also, once you have worked part time, Soc Sec only has to prove there are part time jobs in the economy that you could do. I'm a mechanical engineer, and the employment specialist at my hearing opined that I could get a job as a part time lamp shade assembler...even though there was no such job within 100 miles of my home. It can be difficult financially, but it is best not to work part time when you become unable to work full time.

In the end you can't be denied because you worked part time, but it can make the road longer and rougher. You should consider a lawyer to help you.
 
Messages
10
I tried to get a lawyer (in Mass.) but experience has shown that "any" lawyer can actually be worse than none- and For various reasons the 'disability lawyers' figure I will take too much time and not be profitable. It's funny, my record shows a clear upwards progression in a specific field, with two masters in it, then ZIP! just some crummy part time or temp jobs that I had to leave early. And all because I got sick with something no doctor wanted to diagnose.

Of course if anyone knows a lawyer... (do they have to be in my state if it is a federal matter?)
 
Messages
6
Location
Las Vegas
I tried to get a lawyer (in Mass.) but experience has shown that "any" lawyer can actually be worse than none- and For various reasons the 'disability lawyers' figure I will take too much time and not be profitable. It's funny, my record shows a clear upwards progression in a specific field, with two masters in it, then ZIP! just some crummy part time or temp jobs that I had to leave early. And all because I got sick with something no doctor wanted to diagnose.

Of course if anyone knows a lawyer... (do they have to be in my state if it is a federal matter?)

I understand your struggle as I was denied by ALJ because I could still take my son (who was in KINDERGARDEN at the time) to school a block away and helped with his "homework". I also have advanced training etc. I too am struggling to find an attorney to appeal. At the federal level the attorney must be licensed to file in your district court but many SSDI/SSI attorneys are licensed in multiple states. You could try calling your state bar association for some names, it will make a difference. Good luck!