Denied SSDI

[njean]

The way things are going, I might very well end up being a basket case!

Maybe I'd stand a chance of getting SS if I went looney but of course by then, I would be too far gone to give a rat's ass (excuse the language) or care whether or too looned out to know if I was getting anything!!!!

 

[Nancy]

Then why not look into getting an attorney? It's no good, if your health suffers during the process. Let the attorney handle it for you. You will be relieved.

 

[Gene]

Only one suggestion.

Only one suggestion.

Thank you all for your words of encouragement! I don't plan to give up; never been a quitter but I cringe at having to go through this all over again. All day today I've been digging through records, calling all the doctors & hospitals where I've been treated throughout the years not only for my heart problems but for eveything else & asking for my records. I even email my doctors in Houston to get letters from them to see if that will strenghten my case. Some of the facilities are going to charge me a hefty price to send my records but what can I do?!

I'm just not sure of whether I should try to do it all on my own or to hire an attorney? Do you think I stand a better chance w/an attorney?? And I've got to make sure I don't go over 60 day deadline to appeal. The letter I got from Social Sec is dated October 2nd so I need to get the lead out!

I need to call SS tomorrow too not only to get the appeal forms but also to see if they can give me a copy of my original application because being that I did it on-line, the only copy I got was a short, 2-page summary of an application that I swear was over 25 pages! It took me 3 days to complete it! Drats, I'm so frustrated!

Thanks again & bless you for caring enough to answer!

njp

I have extensive experience in the subject because of my career in Human Resources. I have only one recommendation: Hire an attorney.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the advice Cort.

*nods*

You are welcome. And, that's great news about getting them for free anyway .

I put them all together the right way, and numbered each page according to how it was supposed to go, I also made notes on a Post It note if anything was wrong or missing.

Wowa ... I can only imagine how long that took you, Nancy. I look at my little pile of records and think that sort of project is a bit foreboding ... he he.



Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
WRMNshowcase.lego.HO.model.MCs.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"I see something that I don't like" ... Sheryl Crow ... 'Real Gone'

 

[njean]

Thank you Gene, Nancy & all the other wonderful people out there!

I have already called a law firm & I have a phone appt. on Oct. 25th. They told me to have a list of all the doctors, medications, etc., ready when they call. In the meantime, I have been signing & sending release of medical records forms to different hospitals, doctors, labs, etc.

I also sent a letter to my state senator who is a close friend of the family to see if there's anything she can do for me. I am awaiting letters from the doctors in Houston & here to include in my file.

Thank goodness for this site where I can go & take a break from all this mess for a while! Thank you all!

 

[Ross]

Thank you Gene, Nancy & all the other wonderful people out there!

I have already called a law firm & I have a phone appt. on Oct. 25th. They told me to have a list of all the doctors, medications, etc., ready when they call. In the meantime, I have been signing & sending release of medical records forms to different hospitals, doctors, labs, etc.

I also sent a letter to my state senator who is a close friend of the family to see if there's anything she can do for me. I am awaiting letters from the doctors in Houston & here to include in my file.

Thank goodness for this site where I can go & take a break from all this mess for a while! Thank you all!

Honestly, having an attorney makes all the difference in the world with SS. It's like a big red flag that says, hey idiots, this is a winnable case.

 

[hensylee]

I was once upon a time a social worker for our County and had cases trying to get SSD. I spoke with a Senator's top in Orlando aide about the difficulties getting passed and she told me that when these cases came in, the Senator wanted to know about them right away. They do sit up and take notice. If you know one, maybe he/she can push it on, too. Use all your resources.

 

[Gene]

Oh, NJ!!!! You are right on target. Being armed with critical data for your attorney is a headstart. Do not be discouraged no matter how hopeless it may seem at the time. Come back and update us when time permits. God speed!

 

[maka]

Just received this in my e-mail and thought about this thread.......just to bring a little humor to it.....

A guy went to the SS office after retiring to apply for Social Security.

The woman behind the counter asked him for the driver's license to
verify the age.

He looked in his pockets and realized he had left his wallet at home and told the woman that he was very sorry, but he would have to go home and come back later.

The woman said, 'Unbutton your shirt.' he opened his shirt revealing his
curly silver hair. She said, 'That silver hair on your chest is proof enough for me,'
and she processed his Social Security application.

When he got home, he told his wife about his experience at the Social
Security office.

She said, 'You should have dropped your pants...you might have
gotten disability too.'

 

[njean]

You're too funny, Maka!

 

[Ross]

Just received this in my e-mail and thought about this thread.......just to bring a little humor to it.....

A guy went to the SS office after retiring to apply for Social Security.

The woman behind the counter asked him for the driver's license to
verify the age.

He looked in his pockets and realized he had left his wallet at home and told the woman that he was very sorry, but he would have to go home and come back later.

The woman said, 'Unbutton your shirt.' he opened his shirt revealing his
curly silver hair. She said, 'That silver hair on your chest is proof enough for me,'
and she processed his Social Security application.

When he got home, he told his wife about his experience at the Social
Security office.

She said, 'You should have dropped your pants...you might have
gotten disability too.'

Stop making fun of me!

 

[Gene]

QUOTE=Ross]Stop making fun of me! [/QUOTE]



...and where is Paul Harvey when we need "the rest of the story"? Right here in heart country!

 

[Mb]

Hello!

I haven't posted in awhile, but thought I might add a quick note on this topic, as it may help someone else in the future.

About four months post-op, we cam to the realization that my husband would not be able to work for quite a long time, if ever. At that point he had been out of work 9 months. He was 55 years old at the time.

Instead of applying over the phone, my husband and I went in together. I organized everything, so it was an easy process.

The SSI check was deposited directly into our checking account 3 weeks later.

Now......I think it was a combination of factors. First, he truly could not work. Secondly, he had residual problems....a third valve was leaking, he has chronic a-fib, and was and still is, on a long list of drugs. He also had NEVER collected unemployment, which for some reason the woman was impressed with. I also know for a fact that his doctors supported the claim.

So, for what it is worth, that was our expereince. I hope it might help someone.

Marybeth

 

[njean]

Dear MaryBeth,

Your husband was one lucky person to have gotten his approval the first go. I've been hearing some real horror stories!

You would think that after (3) OHS in my lifetime & the possibility of a 4th re-do in the horizon, that I would be considered a serious enough case.

I applied over the Internet because it was the most convenient & I was in the comfort of my home. When my nerves got fatigued & I needed a rest, I would put the application away & work on it in intervals. Your husband was fortunate that he had you to do his application for him. I had no one except myself to do it & I am the patient!

But anyway, I have acquired a law firm that is going to help me with my appeal & I am collecting more paperwork, i.e., letters from senators, doctors, etc., to help strenghten my case.

I am 56 years old & I have been working all my life since the time I was a teenager. I too have never applied for unemployment, etc.

Thank you for your advise & I hope all is well w/you & your husband.

NJean

 

[catwoman]

njean:

Good luck!
My sister, who has lupus, was approved for SSDI on first application. However, she is an RN, now retired because of disability, so that probably helped her in knowing what paperwork would be critical to her case. She was prepared to get an attorney to appeal if she was denied on her first try.