Guest guest Posted May 3, 2004 Report Share Posted May 3, 2004 , I applied for social security back in September of last year. They denied me March of this year. My doctor got an attorney for me provided through the hospital and they're taking over my case. If I do win my case I won't owe the attorney anything since the hospital is paying for it. You may not be sure exactly but how long could it take for me to hear something back from my first appeal? I heard that when you get an attorney involved it speeds things up. I really hope that mine is granted because I've been out of work since September and have no source of income. It's hard being sick but even harder when you're broke. If you could give me an idea of the time frame it would be much appreciated. -. Re: [ ] Anyone with SSDI experience/knowledge? > Ability to function on a daily basis is clearly one of the factors a judge will look at. It is important to highlight those things that will put your case in the best light. You will be asked age, work experience, education/training and then ability to function - particularly in a work place- questions. Age is gridded out - the older you are the better your claim- inasmuch as SS believes you really can't teach an old dog new tricks. 50 is approaching advanced age...and I believe 55 and older is considered advanced age- meaning the likelihood of retraining from previous employment is slim. If you can only stand 10 minutes -say so. If you can't sit for very long- say that. If you can't walk upstairs or walk any distance - highlight that so it becomes part of the record. If you cannot do housework say so. If you don't sleep well- mention it. If you can only work for a few hours at home- then need a nap- say so - very few employers will work with you on those things. Your hearing is no place to be a hero- if you hurt and are depressed - tell the ad law judge. But also be realistic. We periodically see clients who say they can only sit for a half hour at a time and then sit through a three hour hearing. If you need to stand up - sit down- move around- ask permission of course- but do do it. If you can travel at all - always ask for an in person hearing so the judge can put a name face and problem together. You will likely be asked severity of pain- be honest. Don't downplay but be honest. If you are able to attend a hearing with or without pain meds for example - it is highly unlikely your pain level that day is a 10 out of 10 ( see where I am going here? ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 4, 2004 Report Share Posted May 4, 2004 - I hate to ask this question - but what State are you from? Even though a federal program- it does vary from state to state. In Michigan the process after first denial can be anywhere from 6 months to a year. I will check with some of the paras here to see if they have seen any increase in speed with attorneys. It is wonderful that your hospital hires an attorney for folks - is this done under a grant given the hospital. In our Flint office I think we have a grant for a paralegal to go into the hospital to help people sign up for benefits or review issues concerning medicaid. I wish you well in the process - would be interested in knowing of program your attorney works with/for. Keep in touch about the process. Hugs, > , > > I applied for social security back in September of last year. They denied > me March of this year. My doctor got an attorney for me provided through > the hospital and they're taking over my case. If I do win my case I won't > owe the attorney anything since the hospital is paying for it. You may not > be sure exactly but how long could it take for me to hear something back > from my first appeal? I heard that when you get an attorney involved it > speeds things up. I really hope that mine is granted because I've been out > of work since September and have no source of income. It's hard being sick > but even harder when you're broke. If you could give me an idea of the time > frame it would be much appreciated. > > -. > > Re: [ ] Anyone with SSDI experience/knowledge? > > > > Ability to function on a daily basis is clearly one of the factors a > judge will look at. It is important to highlight those things that will put > your case in the best light. You will be asked age, work experience, > education/training and then ability to function - particularly in a work > place- questions. Age is gridded out - the older you are the better your > claim- inasmuch as SS believes you really can't teach an old dog new tricks. > 50 is approaching advanced age...and I believe 55 and older is considered > advanced age- meaning the likelihood of retraining from previous employment > is slim. If you can only stand 10 minutes -say so. If you can't sit for very > long- say that. If you can't walk upstairs or walk any distance - highlight > that so it becomes part of the record. If you cannot do housework say so. If > you don't sleep well- mention it. If you can only work for a few hours at > home- then need a nap- say so - very few employers will work with you on > those things. Your hearing is no place to be a hero- if you hurt and are > depressed - tell the ad law judge. But also be realistic. We periodically > see clients who say they can only sit for a half hour at a time and then sit > through a three hour hearing. If you need to stand up - sit down- move > around- ask permission of course- but do do it. If you can travel at all - > always ask for an in person hearing so the judge can put a name face and > problem together. You will likely be asked severity of pain- be honest. > Don't downplay but be honest. If you are able to attend a hearing with or > without pain meds for example - it is highly unlikely your pain level that > day is a 10 out of 10 ( see where I am going here? ). > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 4, 2004 Report Share Posted May 4, 2004 , I live in the state of Georgia. I haven't been waiting long since I just recently applied the appeal. 6 months to a year is a long time to wait since I've been waiting 7 months already. * Sigh * I'm not sure exactly if it was a grant given to the hospital. Whatever it is I'm glad that they provide it to people like me. Thanks for the information. -. Re: [ ] To about SSI ... - I hate to ask this question - but what State are you from? Even though a federal program- it does vary from state to state. In Michigan the process after first denial can be anywhere from 6 months to a year. I will check with some of the paras here to see if they have seen any increase in speed with attorneys. It is wonderful that your hospital hires an attorney for folks - is this done under a grant given the hospital. In our Flint office I think we have a grant for a paralegal to go into the hospital to help people sign up for benefits or review issues concerning medicaid. I wish you well in the process - would be interested in knowing of program your attorney works with/for. Keep in touch about the process. Hugs, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 4, 2004 Report Share Posted May 4, 2004 Any time is too long inasmuch as some folks are forced to work even when it is medically inadvisable because they can't be wihtout income. It is a real catch 22 because then they say if your working you should continue working...etc.. Your Georgia attorney should be able to tell you about the timelines that applies to your case...Michigan is one of the longest waits. If you think of it...find out from your attorney how his program is funded - if available nationally maybe Michigan and a few other states can learn from it and put into place a program like yours. Keep us posted on the process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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