Re: SSDI Benefits Webinar Oct. 6

September 29, 2010

I was told by the lawyer I had to eventually hire that my ability to

complete the application on line was one of the reasons that I was initially

denied benefits.

O

SSDI Benefits Webinar Oct. 6

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/webinars/

A number of enhancements have been made to Social Security's online

disability application, making it easier and more convenient to complete

online. During this webinar, we will highlight the new aspects of this

online application and tell you about other Social Security disability

initiatives currently underway.

September 30, 2010

This is false info.

_____

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of

Oltmann

Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2010 1:13 PM

Subject: Re: SSDI Benefits Webinar Oct. 6

I was told by the lawyer I had to eventually hire that my ability to

complete the application on line was one of the reasons that I was initially

denied benefits.

O

SSDI Benefits Webinar Oct. 6

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/webinars/

A number of enhancements have been made to Social Security's online

disability application, making it easier and more convenient to complete

online. During this webinar, we will highlight the new aspects of this

online application and tell you about other Social Security disability

initiatives currently underway.

September 30, 2010

During the initial phone interview I was asked questions about the on-line

application. How long it took. Did I do it all in one sitting. How many

breaks I took. The lawyer specifically said it was one of the problems with

my application that needed to be countered.

If I had it to do over again, I would take all my information to the Social

Security office and fill out the form in person, with the help of a

representative who would be able to see what physical issues I am dealing

with..

O

SSDI Benefits Webinar Oct. 6

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/webinars/

A number of enhancements have been made to Social Security's online

disability application, making it easier and more convenient to complete

online. During this webinar, we will highlight the new aspects of this

online application and tell you about other Social Security disability

initiatives currently underway.

September 30, 2010

I applied online and was approved first time - within a few weeks.

Â

I wasÂ contacted by someone in the local office within a couple of hours of

starting the forms online, asking me some questions and giving me info,

including where the local office was located, which surprised me.

Â

It took me days to complete all the forms online.Â I later got a package in the

mail with additional forms to complete.Â These forms seemed to ask duplicate

questions compared to the exhaustive information I had already completed

online.Â I thought that was odd.Â If these new procedures streamline the

process and eliminate the duplication that would be great.

Â

From: Matt & Tammy Ludwig <ludwigfam@...>

Subject: Re: SSDI Benefits Webinar Oct. 6

Date: Thursday, September 30, 2010, 9:28 AM

Â

This is false info.

_____

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of

Oltmann

Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2010 1:13 PM

Subject: Re: SSDI Benefits Webinar Oct. 6

I was told by the lawyer I had to eventually hire that my ability to

complete the application on line was one of the reasons that I was initially

denied benefits.

O

SSDI Benefits Webinar Oct. 6

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/webinars/

A number of enhancements have been made to Social Security's online

disability application, making it easier and more convenient to complete

online. During this webinar, we will highlight the new aspects of this

online application and tell you about other Social Security disability

initiatives currently underway.

October 1, 2010

Good Day,

This is a very timely discussion for me. I recently applied for Unemployment

but was denied. This was expected because I am not " cleared " to work. My

primary doctor is supporting 'Short-Term Disability' and she informed me that

she will NOT support any efforts to obtain 'Long-Term Disability'. That said, I

applied for Disability and was approved.

Now, during a phone call to the Employment Development Department here in

California, I was told that if I will be out of work for a year, then I should

apply now for SSDI. The intention being that when the Short Term Disability is

exhausted then the SSDI will kick in. This makes sense but I would like to talk

to someone who has gone through this?? Any advisors out there??

The other trap door in all of this is that I would like to work because I will

go cuckoo staying in the house every day. It would be nice to work

part-time....if financially possible. I do understand that Disability can be

modified\terminated if I was to earn X amount of dollars. What the exact

formula is, I am unclear but there does seem to be one in existence.

So my CMT Friends.....any sincere advice for me??

RbQ

" Let Not The Ego Produce Evil "

http://www.charcot-marie-tooth.org/

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of

Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2010 12:24 PM

Subject: Re: SSDI Benefits Webinar Oct. 6

I applied online and was approved first time - within a few weeks.

I was contacted by someone in the local office within a couple of hours of

starting the forms online, asking me some questions and giving me info,

including where the local office was located, which surprised me.

It took me days to complete all the forms online. I later got a package in the

mail with additional forms to complete. These forms seemed to ask duplicate

questions compared to the exhaustive information I had already completed online.

I thought that was odd. If these new procedures streamline the process and

eliminate the duplication that would be great.

From: Matt & Tammy Ludwig <ludwigfam@...

<mailto:ludwigfam%40frontier.com> >

Subject: Re: SSDI Benefits Webinar Oct. 6

<mailto:%40>

Date: Thursday, September 30, 2010, 9:28 AM

This is false info.

_____

From: <mailto:%40>

[mailto: <mailto:%40> ] On Behalf Of

Oltmann

Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2010 1:13 PM

<mailto:%40>

Subject: Re: SSDI Benefits Webinar Oct. 6

I was told by the lawyer I had to eventually hire that my ability to

complete the application on line was one of the reasons that I was initially

denied benefits.

O

SSDI Benefits Webinar Oct. 6

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/webinars/

A number of enhancements have been made to Social Security's online

disability application, making it easier and more convenient to complete

online. During this webinar, we will highlight the new aspects of this

online application and tell you about other Social Security disability

initiatives currently underway.

October 1, 2010

The only way this denial makes sense is that your application or medical

information indicated you can't sit at a computer for long periods, and then you

answered the questions to indicate you did sit for longer periods. Contradictory

information is a common reason for denials.

I've known many people approved after an online application and IMHO it is

easier because you can take your time, think about all the answers and review

everything before you submit.

One of the most important things in an SSDI applications is that you be

consistent in your answers and that your " story " generally make sense.

>

> During the initial phone interview I was asked questions about the on-line

> application. How long it took. Did I do it all in one sitting. How many

> breaks I took. The lawyer specifically said it was one of the problems with

> my application that needed to be countered.

>

> If I had it to do over again, I would take all my information to the Social

> Security office and fill out the form in person, with the help of a

> representative who would be able to see what physical issues I am dealing

> with..

>

> O

>

> SSDI Benefits Webinar Oct. 6

>

> http://www.socialsecurity.gov/webinars/

>

> A number of enhancements have been made to Social Security's online

> disability application, making it easier and more convenient to complete

> online. During this webinar, we will highlight the new aspects of this

> online application and tell you about other Social Security disability

> initiatives currently underway.

>

October 1, 2010

Rashid,

Do I understand this right?

You are not employed and were denied unemployment benefits. But you were 'not

cleared' for work? You said your doc is supporting you for 'short term'

disability, which is why unemployment benefits are not do. To obtain

unemployment, one must be * able * and * looking * for work. So you're disabled

'short time' which means one day you will be * able * to work again.

As for Long Term Disability even tho your doc said she wouldn't support you, you

received it anyway?

Yes, if you are * UNABLE * to work due to disability for one year or more, that

is but * one * qualification for the SSDI program. SSDI won't necessarily kick

in 'right away' as soon as STE ends. So, get going on the SSDI Application. And

be prepared to experience a potential gap in income during the process.

I suggest you get the SSDI Planner in front of you and review all the info and

questions and collect all the materials you'll need for your application

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/dibplan/index.htm The last time I took a client

through this was about 5 or 6 years ago, and we had all doctors, hospital

visits, tests, labs, xrays, MRIs, etc. records, addresses, phone numbers,

places, etc. right beside us. It took 4 hours straight to complete the

application.

Once you are found disabled under Social Securities Rules (see website) and

begin receiving benefits, yes, it is possible to work part-time, but there is a

ceiling on how much income you can make before benefits have reached the

Substantial Gainful Amount, and your SSDI benefits * may be * stopped if the SSA

decides you CAN work.

One of the top rules of SSDI is that you must be " UNABLE " to do any kind of work

at all. In some cases, this can be something as simple as answering a phone!

That is why your medical records, work activity report, employment history, age,

diagnosis and daily activities list is so vital to your application.

I would suggest that Oct. 6 webinar for the newest information. If it took you

" days " to complete all the short-term disability forms, it may take exactly that

or more to complete the SSDI forms. And yes, SSA often sends duplicates and

stupid letters, and it is sometimes difficult to reach employees by phone. You

may want to make an appointment at your local SSA office so they can see you and

help with forms. Yes, the whole process is odd, mixed up, and sometimes unfair.

The SSA is a government agency.

If, after you are awarded benefits, remember your income will change your

personal budget. And if you do part-time work, you need to report it to SSA, or

else, if SSA finds out (and they do compare info with the IRS) your benefits are

subject to stop.

Be very careful what you write and what you say, but also honest. I can't

remember your age, but it is possible that the SSA may suggest retraining for a

job that you * CAN DO * through Voc. Rehab.

There has been a surge in disability applications due to the economy and the

wait for SSDI benefits approval can exceed 2 years in some places.

If you can, I'd suggest becoming some sort of " entrepreneur " , start your own

business and forget SSDI. (of course you would still pay into SS) and Disability

will still be there if you need it. Just my thoughts.

Gretchen

>

October 1, 2010

Yes, you should apply now if your disability is expected to last more than 12

months.

The SSDIÂ benefit startsÂ in the sixth full month following the date whenÂ the

disability begins.Â Since it can take at least aÂ couple of months to get

approved,Â it's a good idea to apply as soon as it's known that the disability

will extend beyond 12 months. http://www.ssa.gov/dibplan/dapproval.htm

However, if you are able to work part-time, then you won't qualify for SSDI.Â

SSDI is for total disability only.Â The 'return to work' type programs are for

claimants that were totally disabled, but later are able to begin working again.

http://www.ssa.gov/dibplan/dqualify4.htm

Now, why does your doctor say that she won't support your LTD claim?Â Â The

'why'

is important.

1. Is it because you are only partially disabled?Â IfÂ you can work part-time

and

your doctor clears you for work when the short-term disability ends, then you

may want to re-apply for unemployment at that time.

2. If you are truly totally disabled and the issue is thatÂ your doctor doesn't

believe you, this a problem you'll need to address.Â You'll need to document

your issues and present it clearly to your physician, so she understands the

severity and permanency.Â This is important, because when you apply for SSDI,

they do send out requests for information and questionnaires toÂ the doctors

you've seen in recent years.Â

3. Generally speaking,Â physicians will not put you directly into a 'long term

disability' status at the beginning of aÂ disability.Â They put you out on

short

term disability (STD) for a period of time, i.e. 6 weeks.Â At the end of that

time period, if youÂ aren't better, they extend it.Â When the STD timeframe

expires and you aren't any better, then they put you out on long term disability

(LTD).Â They don't start out by putting you into LTD.

4. It is also common for a primary care physician to not be willing to put a CMT

patient out on LTD, due to not being qualified to make that claim.Â It's fine

for a PCP to put you out on a short term leave, but in order to support a long

term disability claim, you need a neurologist.Â It's very possible that is what

your PCP is telling you.Â It's not about believing you, but the qualifications

of the PCP.Â It's for your protection.Â You need a neurologist.Â

So, you need to identify WHY your doctor won't support your LTD claim.Â Is

itÂ that she doesn't believe you orÂ feel youÂ qualifyÂ or is she saying that

it's

just not time yet for filing the claim or is it thatÂ she's just not qualified

to

make that determination?Â If you understand the reason, then you can identify

your next step.

________________________________

From: Rashid_Comast <rashidbinquadir@...>

Sent: Thu, September 30, 2010 6:13:36 PM

Subject: Re: SSDI Benefits Webinar Oct. 6

Â

Good Day,

This is a very timely discussion for me. I recently applied for Unemployment but

was denied. This was expected because I am not " cleared " to work. My primary

doctor is supporting 'Short-Term Disability' and she informed me that she will

NOT support any efforts to obtain 'Long-Term Disability'. That said, I applied

for Disability and was approved.