Applying for Disability

My cousin was denied the first time she applied. The second time she had a lawyer and won her case. Perhaps you should get a lawyer.

File on-line. Any payments you receive will be backpaid to your original filing date and immediatlely after that, hire an attorney, not some storefront attorney, a real one. She will navigate the channels. The attorney is limited to the amount of money they can charge you which is around $2000.00, but only AFTER you get your approval for disabilily. This is limited by the Social Security Administration and Federal Law. The receptionist on your initial phone call will inform you of the in's and out's after the filing and take care of it for you, scheduling appointments etc, all at no cost to you. I wish you luck.

What I have found is those that are disabled have a hell of a time getting disability because they go to real doctors who write real reports. Those that aren't disabled seem to get it in less than a month because they know which doctors write the right reports. Sad but true.

It took my father in law over a year to get disability and his hands are so bad it looks like you tried to braid his fingers. :(

Good luck, start with your doctor, be blunt in your questions like how do I do this and what do I need.

You will probably need to hire an attorney the second time around. And yes, there will be a second time around if you really want to qualify. Choose an attorney who ONLY does this type of law. He or she will probably only correspond with you by mail after the initial meeting because the people who hire them don't have a lot of money to pay hourly charges, and this way they help save YOU money by not taking up a lot of your time, and they help themselves have more time to not meet with people all the time.

Good luck and I hope the doctor can help you with your physical problems.

Dawn

My uncle applied for disability last spring. He was denied disability in July. He hired a lawyer and was approved for disability a few weeks ago.

Good luck!

I assume you're talking about Social Security disability.

get a lawyer - NOW. the average time from filing is 3-4 years. and its hell to negotiate the system. and you cannot do it without professional help. a lawyer will help you with what you can and cannot do that will impact any benefits. my favorite of all the paperwork I've read in the last two months trying to help a family member negotiate this - for one program (supposed to be a bridge until social security kicks in) you cannot be in default on your mortgage, cannot be in foreclosure but you cannot have more than $400.....WTH - those things simply cannot coexist!

hopefully you have private disability insurance - that will bridge the gap until social security kicks in.

in the meantime...you don't say what you do. can accomodations be made? like a voice translator for the computer so you don't have to type? your workplace has to make those kinds of accommodations with a doctor's note. and typically, they aren't that much money.

your doctor is right in that it is very dependent on where you live and what judge you get.....

good luck!

They told my husband he had to be off work for 2 years before he could file because if he could work he could not apply. I think you might want to talk to one of those disability attorneys that advertise on TV all the time. They don't cost anything, if you get money they take a part of that as their payment.

Almost every single person gets denied the first and second time they apply. It's just their way of screening those who really want to hassle them and come back for more I think. If you do have a doc's disability letter they read that but then you have to go to their docs and they have to rate the level of disability then they decide if it's enough to qualify you for a check or something.

One of my teachers in my child care center had disability for Rheumatoid Arthritis. They made her file for a Ticket To Work Program, and she had to work so many hours per week and take classes. They said she wasn't disabled enough to qualify so she needed to be trained to do work that was better for her to do.

So, again, I think talking to one of those disability attorneys would make sure you worded this application the right way and they would read it and perhaps do your differently.

But you will have to be off work for a long period of time before you can qualify I am pretty sure of it> My hubby had a heart attack then had a quadruple bypass and they made him stay off work for nearly 2 years before he could file.

Get an attorney. A family friend who was a nurse had an accident. She can't even remember going to school let alone what she learned. They denied her at first, saying with her degree in nursing she could find work. I don't know anyone who wants a nurse who can't remember anything handling their charts or anywhere that would hire someone like that! She hired an attorney and got better results. Don't wait get one right away, it was several years battle for her.

Good Luck!!

It is not true that "everyone" that applies for disability gets denied and then must hire a lawyer. People get approved for disability if they can prove that they can not work, either physically or mentally, or both. That means you need to have medical records and other records that prove that you can not work, either in your current job or in any other job.

Since you are currently working, that could be a huge issue. I would also ask you to consider what types of accommodations could be made to protect your hands. You don't say what type of work you do. You will also need to consider if you qualify for any other kinds of work.

My ex was approved for disability with his first application, approved in just weeks, and his payments were back-dated several months, to the date he was diagnosed with Bi-polar Disorder II. He also has: clinical depression with a medical history going back 30+ years, a physical disability that was caused by the Army 30+ years ago that left him with missing fingers and bicep muscles that has developed into arthritis in these limbs, an artificial shoulder that was caused by an accident because of the weakness in his arm/hand because of the old Army injury,...need I go on. It also helped him that he was able to produce a stack of medical records, the latest from the VA (which keeps excellent records). And, he had been let go from several jobs because of his depression.

You will need a lawyer. The first time you apply you will be turned down. The second you might be turned down. Third time might be good.
This will take at least a year. If you are having problems now, file ASAP.

My dad was given early retirement from Boeing beacause he has degenerative disk disease in his back. He applied once, and got denied. He saw a lawyer, and they said he had to do it again, and get denied again, then come to him. I think I did it twice, and then the lawyer did it, and he finally got approved after about 4 years. I'll admit that he didn't pursue it the whole time, but it did take several attempts and 2 or 3 denials, with 2 lawyers. He did get back pay from the first file date though. I would talk to a lawyer early about the fact that you are working and see what they say. Also, maybe talk to your local vocational rehab and see if there is anything they can help with.

it can be hard, my uncle who could not even stand or walk had to fight for months to get disability. I would look for ways to help your pain, they have rubs, meds, and sometimes even injections that can help.

Hello, I was forced to apply for disability due to degenerative issues, then getting hurt at work. I got approved the first time I applied with no problem. It can be rare, however the longer you are not working before you apply for disability greatly effects your first approval/denial. I would stop working immediately if possible due to your doctors concerns/pain you have. It is much easier to get approved. From your application date till the decision date should be no longer than 6 months. If you have seen specialty doctors, great. If not I would very much advise you to before you apply. See a specalty doctor such as an orthopedic doc, and make sure you have had x-rays and testing done. This will make the process much smoother when you apply. Good luck and I hope this info helps!

Make sure that you have accurate medical records before you apply. Get all the names, hospitals, and file numbers if possible.

When my husband applied after about a year for the disability he got regular social security until they could prove his medical issues. Once the issues were reviewed he was awarded the disability and back dated to the six months prior date on his first try.

Take your time when you will out the paperwork online (you can save it and work on it a little each day) as it may take up to a good week to do it.

The Social Security Administration makes it tough to get it because many people try that really don't need it and it clogs up the system for the people who do. If you really need it you will fight for it and thus the second or third time to get it. The SSA does their own check of what you have sent in. Your age may play a role in what you do or don't get and why.

Good luck to you and may you get your disability on the first request.

The other S.

Well, it depends on what type of disability you are applying for.

I've had pneumonia and had no problem getting disability. However, it's short term. I will recover and be able to get back to work when I'm well enough. My doctor didn't leave it up to me. I had an appointment today and was told I still couldn't go back. My employer won't let me come back until I'm released.

It really depends on whether or not you are able to function in the capacities of your regular duties. If you are looking at getting long term disability, it's much more complicated.

I've been on disability for a broken leg, and again, I didn't get to decide when to quit working or when to get released, so that part of your question is kind of confusing.

You can't apply for disability without your doctor certifying that you are unable to work. Your physician has to assist you with forms, etc.

I wish you the best.