Re: SSDI To File or Not to File?

[Guest guest]

you lose nothing by filing.

 

This nov 4 years for me.  I have refinanced my home several times to survive.

Raniolo

From: detour721 <stanpfister@...>

Subject: [ ] SSDI To File or Not to File?

Date: Friday, August 22, 2008, 5:48 PM

Hi...

I'm 56 years old, diagnosed with RA last month, still learning to

manage physical activities, treatments, and the medication. I haven't

been able to work since mid May and still don't think I can because I

am so on again off again with pain and flare-ups. So my Doctors tells

me to file immediately for SSDI because it can take 18 to 24 months for

the claim to be approved and who knows where I will be in two years. My

Rheumatologist says based on their experience my tests indicate I am

more like to be progressive than not (although we all know the test are

not designed to indicate that, but it's is their opinion). But then the

Rheumatologist says in terms of filing for SSDI, " I can't tell you what

to do. " So now I'm confused, or on the fence post about it, or I

actually don't know what to think. I've worked for forty years and

never imagined myself in this position. Help? What's your experience

and what do you think?

Thanks,

Stan

[Guest guest]

Hello,

You need to get the ball rolling. I have been waiting almost 3

years. I have a hearing next month in with the judge. I am terrified.

I have Lupus Sle, Fibro,RA, severe sleep apnea and so on. It

sometimes takes awhile, so get it going as soon as possible.

Everybody keep me in your prayers for my disability hearing. Good

Luck sweetie.

Coetta

--- In , " detour721 " <stanpfister@...>

wrote:

>

> Hi...

> I'm 56 years old, diagnosed with RA last month, still learning to

> manage physical activities, treatments, and the medication. I

haven't

> been able to work since mid May and still don't think I can because

I

> am so on again off again with pain and flare-ups. So my Doctors

tells

> me to file immediately for SSDI because it can take 18 to 24 months

for

> the claim to be approved and who knows where I will be in two

years. My

> Rheumatologist says based on their experience my tests indicate I

am

> more like to be progressive than not (although we all know the test

are

> not designed to indicate that, but it's is their opinion). But then

the

> Rheumatologist says in terms of filing for SSDI, " I can't tell you

what

> to do. " So now I'm confused, or on the fence post about it, or I

> actually don't know what to think. I've worked for forty years and

> never imagined myself in this position. Help? What's your

experience

> and what do you think?

> Thanks,

> Stan

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Stan,

I would start the process - i started it in feb and i am still waiting

for my hearing. i would recommend a lawyer - you really dont get far

without them. plus they only get money if they win your case and they

are capped at the amoount of money they get. dont get discouraged if

you get rejected the first time - they reject most people the first

time. and if you start working again before you claim goes through -

the lawyer can get your back pay for you (the time you were out). you

dont lose anything for trying.

hope this helps.

shannon

[Guest guest]

Stan,

In the end, it's up to you. If your body is telling you that it can

no longer work, I would say file. I am 31 and I was diagnosed w/ RA 7

years ago and fibromyalgia shortly afterwards. Last year, my body

had enough and I too had to file for SSDI. No one grows up and says

they want to be on SSDI. It's hard mentally...I am still dealing with

it. I was fortunate to get approved on the 1st try (from the time I

filed and got approved it was 6 months). If you do decide to file for

SSDI...I would get a lawyer from the get go. I got a lawyer when I

filed and I can't say for sure if that was the reason why I got

approved on the 1st try, I don't know. I am sure it didn't hurt my

claim.

--- In , " detour721 " <stanpfister@...>

wrote:

>

> Hi...

> I'm 56 years old, diagnosed with RA last month, still learning to

> manage physical activities, treatments, and the medication. I

haven't

> been able to work since mid May and still don't think I can because

I

> am so on again off again with pain and flare-ups. So my Doctors

tells

> me to file immediately for SSDI because it can take 18 to 24 months

for

> the claim to be approved and who knows where I will be in two

years. My

> Rheumatologist says based on their experience my tests indicate I

am

> more like to be progressive than not (although we all know the test

are

> not designed to indicate that, but it's is their opinion). But then

the

> Rheumatologist says in terms of filing for SSDI, " I can't tell you

what

> to do. " So now I'm confused, or on the fence post about it, or I

> actually don't know what to think. I've worked for forty years and

> never imagined myself in this position. Help? What's your

experience

> and what do you think?

> Thanks,

> Stan

>

[Guest guest]

Hi...thanks for your inout. What state do you live in because the lawyers I've

contacted don't seems to want to take a case unless I've filed it first.

-------------- Original message --------------

From: " " <man_u8@...>

Stan,

In the end, it's up to you. If your body is telling you that it can

no longer work, I would say file. I am 31 and I was diagnosed w/ RA 7

years ago and fibromyalgia shortly afterwards. Last year, my body

had enough and I too had to file for SSDI. No one grows up and says

they want to be on SSDI. It's hard mentally...I am still dealing with

it. I was fortunate to get approved on the 1st try (from the time I

filed and got approved it was 6 months). If you do decide to file for

SSDI...I would get a lawyer from the get go. I got a lawyer when I

filed and I can't say for sure if that was the reason why I got

approved on the 1st try, I don't know. I am sure it didn't hurt my

claim.

--- In , " detour721 " <stanpfister@...>

wrote:

>

> Hi...

> I'm 56 years old, diagnosed with RA last month, still learning to

> manage physical activities, treatments, and the medication. I

haven't

> been able to work since mid May and still don't think I can because

I

> am so on again off again with pain and flare-ups. So my Doctors

tells

> me to file immediately for SSDI because it can take 18 to 24 months

for

> the claim to be approved and who knows where I will be in two

years. My

> Rheumatologist says based on their experience my tests indicate I

am

> more like to be progressive than not (although we all know the test

are

> not designed to indicate that, but it's is their opinion). But then

the

> Rheumatologist says in terms of filing for SSDI, " I can't tell you

what

> to do. " So now I'm confused, or on the fence post about it, or I

> actually don't know what to think. I've worked for forty years and

> never imagined myself in this position. Help? What's your

experience

> and what do you think?

> Thanks,

> Stan

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Stan,....I am sorry to hear your dx of RA. It is very hard to deal

with a chronic disease, so I'm glad you found the group. I was dx

with RA in 03, I applied for SSA. It took one year for me to be

approved. I have been disabled for about 5 years now, I am 45. There

is no way I could hold a job down. I can't even take care of my house

chores. You are making the right decision, your doctor is telling you

for a reason. I wish you a lot of luck, and know you are not alone,

Tawny

[Guest guest]

I'm in NY and got a lawyer in February. I was approved at the beginning of

August. Didn't need to appeal, but so many people do have to and it can

take years.

I'd suggest getting a lawyer, but if you want to do it, the application

isn't that difficult. If I had known I would get approved right away, I

would have done it myself and wouldn't have had to give up the money to the

attorney. But it's a crap shoot so I suggest a lawyer knows best how to

handle.

If you are not working..file! Just my opinion.

_____

From: [mailto: ] On

Behalf Of detour721

Sent: Friday, August 22, 2008 5:48 PM

Subject: [ ] SSDI To File or Not to File?

Hi...

I'm 56 years old, diagnosed with RA last month, still learning to

manage physical activities, treatments, and the medication. I haven't

been able to work since mid May and still don't think I can because I

am so on again off again with pain and flare-ups. So my Doctors tells

me to file immediately for SSDI because it can take 18 to 24 months for

the claim to be approved and who knows where I will be in two years. My

Rheumatologist says based on their experience my tests indicate I am

more like to be progressive than not (although we all know the test are

not designed to indicate that, but it's is their opinion). But then the

Rheumatologist says in terms of filing for SSDI, " I can't tell you what

to do. " So now I'm confused, or on the fence post about it, or I

actually don't know what to think. I've worked for forty years and

never imagined myself in this position. Help? What's your experience

and what do you think?

Thanks,

Stan

[Guest guest]

Stan, you should file for SS Disability as soon as you can. It's different

from when I first started, back in 1991.If you have any savings, use it

sparingly because it could be a long time to fight with the system. However,

my wife filed and got her approval and a check 2 months later! In

comparison, mine took about 2 1/2 years, finally having to see the judge,

and was awarded a big check a few months later. All that saved us was that

we built our home ourselves, using trees to pay for the lumber and other

materials. We would be in a real pickle otherwise and lose everything, as

others have talked about. I've registered my 4 older cars as antiques,

needing no inspections and insure them for a pittance with the coverage from

JC for less than than liability only for the antiques.

Anyhow, take stock of your finances as you look at the other things,

medical insurance, vehicle payments and their disability clause, and

anything else of importance. Good luck!

Dennis in eastexas

On Fri, Aug 22, 2008 at 4:48 PM, detour721 <stanpfister@...> wrote:

> Hi...

> I'm 56 years old, diagnosed with RA last month, still learning to

> manage physical activities, treatments, and the medication. I haven't

> been able to work since mid May and still don't think I can because I

> am so on again off again with pain and flare-ups. So my Doctors tells

> me to file immediately for SSDI because it can take 18 to 24 months for

> the claim to be approved and who knows where I will be in two years. My

> Rheumatologist says based on their experience my tests indicate I am

> more like to be progressive than not (although we all know the test are

> not designed to indicate that, but it's is their opinion). But then the

> Rheumatologist says in terms of filing for SSDI, " I can't tell you what

> to do. " So now I'm confused, or on the fence post about it, or I

> actually don't know what to think. I've worked for forty years and

> never imagined myself in this position. Help? What's your experience

> and what do you think?

> Thanks,

> Stan

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Stan,

I live in Colorado. I had to call a few lawyers before I found one

that would take my case prior to getting denied. I live in Denver and

my lawyer was in Colorado Springs which is about an hour south of

Denver. I filed my claim online and I retained my lawyer about a week

later.

I have a friend of mine who has lupus and is honestly worse off then

I am. We filed around the same time and she got denied and then got

a lawyer. From what I have heard...most lawyers won't take your case

until you get denied, that is not true. The problem is that if you

get denied, you need to appeal your case and there is roughly a year

wait to get your case heard.

If you are thinking about filing, file online...be honest with your

answers. I have heard that there are " key words " that SSDI looks

for, but if there are, I have no idea what they are. Let me know if

you have any more questions.

> >

> > Hi...

> > I'm 56 years old, diagnosed with RA last month, still learning to

> > manage physical activities, treatments, and the medication. I

> haven't

> > been able to work since mid May and still don't think I can

because

> I

> > am so on again off again with pain and flare-ups. So my Doctors

> tells

> > me to file immediately for SSDI because it can take 18 to 24

months

> for

> > the claim to be approved and who knows where I will be in two

> years. My

> > Rheumatologist says based on their experience my tests indicate I

> am

> > more like to be progressive than not (although we all know the

test

> are

> > not designed to indicate that, but it's is their opinion). But

then

> the

> > Rheumatologist says in terms of filing for SSDI, " I can't tell

you

> what

> > to do. " So now I'm confused, or on the fence post about it, or I

> > actually don't know what to think. I've worked for forty years

and

> > never imagined myself in this position. Help? What's your

> experience

> > and what do you think?

> > Thanks,

> > Stan

> >

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

A little on-line research about filing can help. One good site is

http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/

_____

From: [mailto: ] On

Behalf Of

Sent: Friday, August 22, 2008 10:53 PM

Subject: [ ] Re: SSDI To File or Not to File?

Stan,

I live in Colorado. I had to call a few lawyers before I found one

that would take my case prior to getting denied. I live in Denver and

my lawyer was in Colorado Springs which is about an hour south of

Denver. I filed my claim online and I retained my lawyer about a week

later.

I have a friend of mine who has lupus and is honestly worse off then

I am. We filed around the same time and she got denied and then got

a lawyer. From what I have heard...most lawyers won't take your case

until you get denied, that is not true. The problem is that if you

get denied, you need to appeal your case and there is roughly a year

wait to get your case heard.

If you are thinking about filing, file online...be honest with your

answers. I have heard that there are " key words " that SSDI looks

for, but if there are, I have no idea what they are. Let me know if

you have any more questions.

> >

> > Hi...

> > I'm 56 years old, diagnosed with RA last month, still learning to

> > manage physical activities, treatments, and the medication. I

> haven't

> > been able to work since mid May and still don't think I can

because

> I

> > am so on again off again with pain and flare-ups. So my Doctors

> tells

> > me to file immediately for SSDI because it can take 18 to 24

months

> for

> > the claim to be approved and who knows where I will be in two

> years. My

> > Rheumatologist says based on their experience my tests indicate I

> am

> > more like to be progressive than not (although we all know the

test

> are

> > not designed to indicate that, but it's is their opinion). But

then

> the

> > Rheumatologist says in terms of filing for SSDI, " I can't tell

you

> what

> > to do. " So now I'm confused, or on the fence post about it, or I

> > actually don't know what to think. I've worked for forty years

and

> > never imagined myself in this position. Help? What's your

> experience

> > and what do you think?

> > Thanks,

> > Stan

> >

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Stan - IMHO, I think you should file for SSDI - especially where

you have been unable to work since May. The way I see it, you've

worked all of these years and you've paid into the system for just

this reason. Can you picture yourself going back to work at all in

the next 9 years (before you're 65)? You may have only

been " offically " diagnosed last month, but how long have you been

struggling with all of these symptoms? Just some things to think

about......Doreen

--- In , " detour721 " <stanpfister@...>

wrote:

>

> Hi...

> I'm 56 years old, diagnosed with RA last month, still learning to

> manage physical activities, treatments, and the medication. I

haven't

> been able to work since mid May and still don't think I can because

I

> am so on again off again with pain and flare-ups. So my Doctors

tells

> me to file immediately for SSDI because it can take 18 to 24 months

for

> the claim to be approved and who knows where I will be in two

years. My

> Rheumatologist says based on their experience my tests indicate I

am

> more like to be progressive than not (although we all know the test

are

> not designed to indicate that, but it's is their opinion). But then

the

> Rheumatologist says in terms of filing for SSDI, " I can't tell you

what

> to do. " So now I'm confused, or on the fence post about it, or I

> actually don't know what to think. I've worked for forty years and

> never imagined myself in this position. Help? What's your

experience

> and what do you think?

> Thanks,

> Stan

>