Re: Social Security form SSA 3373-BK

[Guest guest]

Hi Debbie,

I think you are very wise about being very careful about what you

put into that form. I've been applying for SSI for the last 15 years

and each time I haven't gotten it even though I have several doctors

supporting my case. I would like to know how it goes. Please email

me.~Kulia

>

> Hi Everyone,

>

> Has anyone in the group applid for and received a favorable Social

> Security determinatation? If so, please could you help me.

>

> A couple of weeks ago I received, from Social Security, Form SSA-

454-

> BK.

>

[Guest guest]

(I am assuming that you are trying for SS disability, not SS income, as they are

different and the first is disability based and the second income based). If

it's SSD, then here is my advise;

I couldn't get the forms to come up fo me online, so I'm not really sure which

you are talking about specifically.

But even if you need an extension, make sure you check and recheck your answers

and that you are consistent throughout. Most of us sugar coat our days and what

we g through, this is not the time to do that. This is the time to tell them

that if there are days you can't lift a gallon of milk and walk 3 steps from the

fridge to the counter, you have them and what they are like (pain, level of

fatigue, weakness). It doesn't matter how benign it seems, if it is a problem

for you, they need to know about it, otherwise how do they know what you are

going through? It doesn't matter if you have already answered the question (or

one similar) answer it again, they may not have looked at the first one closely,

maybe they will choose to look at the second one and if you didn't answer it

fully, how will they know?

When it asks can you lift five pounds, can you? Don't just say yes or no,

explain your answers. I think this is one of the biggest problems with

applicants, they don't give enough explanation of their situation and all the

reviewer knows is what we tell them. How would you make a determination based on

minimal answers? I didn't have enough room to write my answers on the forms and

had to attach extra pages - if that's what you have to do, then do that.

I agree, brainstorm with the people that know you and your habits best. They can

give you insight that you won't think of yourself on things you don't even

realize you don't do anymore. I hope that helps! I have to get off line

now....this screen is giving me a major HA! But I hope you can find something

useful in what I wrote. Good luck.

Re: Social Security form SSA 3373-BK

Hi Debbie,

I think you are very wise about being very careful about what you

put into that form. I've been applying for SSI for the last 15 years

and each time I haven't gotten it even though I have several doctors

supporting my case. I would like to know how it goes. Please email

me

[Guest guest]

Another important factor is to make sure that what your doctor puts down....

matches what you say. We often don't give our doctors the full story. My

doctor had me come into the office while she was filling out my paperwork. I

brought my paperwork along, and our answers matched. (well not exactly, but you

know what I mean) If you say you can't lift five pounds, and your doctor says

you have a five pound limitation... that is totally different.

Hugs!

Vickie

Gretchen wrote:

(I am assuming that you are trying for SS disability, not SS income,

as they are different and the first is disability based and the second income

based). If it's SSD, then here is my advise;

[Guest guest]

Does she still practice and if so, what state does she practice in? With SS

disability does it differ per state? I myself have CFS and get long term

disability through my former employer. However, recently I had to apply for SS

disability per the long term benefits carrier and of course was turned down.

Now I'm waiting for notification of a hearing. I'm not so worried about myself

as I do have the benefits, but my sister was just diagnosed with congestive

heart failure and her heart is only pumping at 10%. She is now unable to work,

has no insurance and is at a total loss on what she is going to do for money to

pay for her Rx to help keep her alive, let alone living expenses. She has been

told that it could take upwards of 2 years to get SS disability. In case it

matters, we live in Missouri.

If anyone reading this has any suggestions we would be very grateful. Prayers

are also welcome. Thanks for listening.

Kim

Sandrea Kornblum wrote:

My sister is a social security lawyer. Recently she had to apply for

SS

disability for herself. She was approved within 2 ½ weeks. I asked her

how she managed that and she said she knows what SS is looking for and

she wrote her doctor’s letter herself and gave it to the doc to sign.

She said she routinely does this with her client’s doctor’s and has no

trouble getting disability approvals first go around and within record

time. I was absolutely floored.

[Guest guest]

That is not *entirely* correct, depending on when you became disabled and

applied. Your sister would know this, so she would not have waited too long to

apply. You can get backpay up to 12 months prior to your application month. BUT

if you wait to apply, then you can't get backpay beyond that. When I was

approved, it was with a note that they agreed I was disabled 2 years before I

applied, but because of disability laws, they could only give me back pay for 1

of them. So do be aware of that. If you are turned down, it is also best to keep

fighting that case than reapplying because if/when you are approved, they may

give you back pay all the way back to when you first applied and potentially the

12 months before, if they decide you were disabled then. If you reapply, you are

only eligible for back pay, again, up to 12 months before your reapplication. I

know people that have finally been approved and received 5-7+ years backpay

(because of when they

initially applied and had continued to fight that case). I also know people who

reapplied and only received the money from their second application date.

And also, for anyone *thinking* about applying, you must have a certain number

of points from working over the previous 10 years (depending on age). If you

wait too long to apply and do not have enough work time in the previous 10

years, it doesn't matter how disabled you are, you can't get SSD. It's a

difficult decision to come to, but one that needs to be made sooner than later

if you are not getting better. Again, I know several people who waited too long

and the offices have told them there is nothing they can do because they didn't

apply in time.

http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/does-everyone-get-backpay.html

[Guest guest]

Hi

Can you post example letters!! As I am having trouble because

my MDs do not say the same thing!!!!

We all know how frustrating getting approved is!!!

Thanks,

>

> My sister is a social security lawyer. Recently she had to apply

for SS

> disability for herself. She was approved within 2 ½ weeks. I

asked her

> how she managed that and she said she knows what SS is looking for

and

> she wrote her doctor's letter herself and gave it to the doc to

sign.

[Guest guest]

I live in Illinois... I don't know if it is different from state to state.

But... here, there is a five month waiting period. I received my check the

sixth month. Those five months were hard... I couldn't imagine having to wait

years.

Hugs!

Vickie

Kim Silvagnoli wrote:

Does she still practice and if so, what state does she practice in?

With SS disability does it differ per state? I myself have CFS and get long term

disability through my former employer. However, recently I had to apply for SS

disability per the long term benefits carrier and of course was turned down. Now

I'm waiting for notification of a hearing. I'm not so worried about myself as I

do have the benefits, but my sister was just diagnosed with congestive heart

failure and her heart is only pumping at 10%.

[Guest guest]

> If anyone reading this has any suggestions we would be very

grateful. Prayers are also welcome. Thanks for listening.

>

> Kim

>

Kim,

I used Allsup to handle my SSDI claim with success. They don't charge

you until you are approved. They did all the paperwork and I didn't

even have to attend a hearing. It took a long time but I got backpay.

Here is their website: http://www.allsup.com/

JGood luck,

Janet

[Guest guest]

I'm sorry, I don't have any sample letters to post. My sister and I

live half way across the country from one another and have a very

minimal relationship. I asked her if she would help Kulia and she said

no as she is not licensed in Hawaii and is not carrying malpractice

insurance while she is herself out on disability. I wish she were a

more helpful person but she won't help me either.

Sandrea

[Guest guest]

What do you mean they did ALL the paper work? That sounds great!!!

Did you not have any paper work to fill out? How does that work? How

many times did you apply? And how many years backpay did you get?

~Kulia

>

> > If anyone reading this has any suggestions we would be very

> grateful. Prayers are also welcome. Thanks for listening.

> >

[Guest guest]

Yep Medicare cause good luck with insurance with all

the pre-existing conditions. Many times I thought

about takeing a walk into the woods with a bottle of

scotch and one bullet in the chamber......but then

them bastards would have won......

[Guest guest]

What exact kind of letters are you asking for and who is asking? I may

have some sample letters my friends wrote trying to support my

case.~Kulia

>

> I'm sorry, I don't have any sample letters to post. My sister and I

> live half way across the country from one another and have a very

> minimal relationship. I asked her if she would help Kulia and she

said

> no as she is not licensed in Hawaii and is not carrying malpractice

> insurance while she is herself out on disability.