Re: Stuck in a hard spot.

[Guest guest]

Contact your local congressman and ask for their assistance. My son tried for

two years to get SSI beginning at the age of 18 (he was struck by lightning when

he was 13) and it was a battle. My congressman said I should have contacted

them at the beginning and they have liaison's working in their office whose only

job is to assist with disability claims. The key to the whole thing is to get a

doctor to write something similar to: " is not able to achieve any level

of gainful employment at this time, nor will she be able to achieve gainful

employment for the rest of her life. " They will most likely turn you down the

first time, then you must appeal. My son was turned down two times and the

third appeal before the judge went through. We hired an attorney (took a big

chunk of he back pay) to assist but I really do not think we needed an attorney.

He did nothing except fax the paperwork that I gathered to the social security

office. I have been told that when the appeals unit looks at the claims,

inquiries from congressman (and United States Senators) carry a lot of weight.

I also battled the State (Illinois) for a medical card for him while we were

dragging through the system. They turned him down because he wasn't on SSI yet.

My contention was he still needed care, SSI was requesting lots of tests that we

had to pay for, and how can he have the tests done if he has no insurance. I

immediately appealed (certified mail) and called and wrote every State Senator,

State Representative, even the Governor and Lt. Governor with my complaints and

told them how irrational this all was. When we showed up for our appeal

hearing, they forgot to have the paperwork sent from the office in the Capital

so we waited for 2 hours to find out they messed up. That finished it off for

me. A few phone calls and a threat to go to the local news stations and they

approved his medical card. The state will tell you it's the law, that you have

to wait for SSI to get a medical card, but that is not true. If they tell you

that, tell them to show you in writing where it states that. They cannot do

that. He also got a very small amount of food stamps. Every little bit helps.

You need to really advocate for yourself. Call Legal Aid in your county, they

might be able to help. In the meantime, ask your doctor for patient assistance

from the drug reps. They should be able to set you up with free meds or give

the doctor samples.

I will send under separate e-mail a list of places to contact for meds.

Becky

[ ] Stuck in a hard spot.

I don't know what to do. I " m only 21yrs old and have severe

rheumatoid arthritis and can't work. Yet the state won't give me

social security benifits. I have insurance that only pays for

selected meds and can't get the Embrel my doctor thinks I should be

on. The lady at the SSI office actually said " You're stuck in

between being to disabled to work and not disabled enough for SSI. "

Isaid " What's in between? Nothing that's what. " . She just

said " Well I don't know what to tell you. " I live with severe daily

pain and fatigue and can't even get the meds I need to get a little

releif. I spend many days in tears cause I hurt so bad. I don't know

what to do. I'm at my wits end I can't live like this. HELP! E-mail

me at Bren41882@... if you can help.

Thanks,

Bren

[Guest guest]

Hi, I am very sorry to hear about your situation. I was in the same boat

once when I first got sick. What I did was this:

I went on welfare and got Medicaid. That paid for hospitalization, food

stamps and paid for all my meds. I don't know what state you are in but most

states have it. If you happen to be in a state that doesn't I would write to my

congressman. Don't give up. You are in America and you have a right to the

help, as all Americans should be.

Don't give up. Fight.

Sincerely, Colletti

Anjillah@...