Re: Disability

[Guest guest]

Getting Disability through Social Security can take time but it's

doable. SS tends to reject everyone on their first application, unless

your disability is both very bad and very obvious. I'm told they do

that to stop fraud but it's a cold hearted way to treat those of us who

are truly disabled. You can help your application by getting as much

documentation from your doctors and employers as possible.

After the routine first rejection, you can then appeal the rejection.

That's where it's handy to use a disability attorney. That's what I did

and he really helped. I didn't have to pay anything up front to the

lawyer. He got his cut when I was finally accepted.

Your monthly disability payment will start from the month when you first

applied. So if it takes 18 months to finally be accepted, you will get

a lump sum payment from Social Security equal to your monthly benefit

multiplied by 18 months. The lawyer will take a cut of that amount. I

think in my case it was 25 percent.

Good luck and try to be patient with Social Security.

Joe S.

>

> I have lost my health insurance ( can't work, can't pay) and am

> working up the nerve to go to local clinic for people who don't have

> insurance.

>

> I am starting a process to apply for Disability. Some say you have to

> pay a lawyer to get through their denial process. Has anyone been

> successful at getting Disability through Social Security?

>

> Process looks daunting right now. Thanks, Joan in Oregon

>

[Guest guest]

Moderator's note:

The judge is an Administrative Law Judge, who essentially works for

the Social Security Administration. This isn't a judge that hears any other type

of cases.

Also, in some states, if you qualify for disability by social security, you

qualify for medicaid.

Joan,

I spend 30 yrs working with patients applying and have been able to win my own

disability claim. First let me tell you up front. When you apply, SS has 90

days to review your medical info and give you a decision. the majority of

individuals are denied. As soon as you get a denial if it happens, contact a

lawyer. You have 90 days from the date of your denial to file an appeal. If you

wait longer, you will have to start the process all over.

Lawyers can only get paid if they win your appeal. Social security will set

their fee and it is taken out before you get your check. If and when you win,

you will be back paid what is owed from the date of your initial application.

The appeal requires a hearing before a judge. The length of time it takes to

get a hearing will vary from area to area. I received the judge's ruling in

less than a week. it then took about 2 weeks for the retroactive check.

Important that you need to realize that medicare does not start right away. I

think it still is a 2 year waiting period but that goes from the date you

applied. For example it took me 18 months to win and I had to wait another 6

months for medicare to start.

how much you will get a month will depend on how much you paid in over the

years. Social Security can send you that information.

Also when you get medicare not medicaid a certain amount is taken out of your

check each month towards it. I know you pay in all these years and they still

charge you!

I Remember you can not work at all while your application is in process. Any

type of paid employment will result in the denial of your application for

disability.

A last point, get as much as you can on medical records. I applied at the local

social security office. The woman was really nice and helpful. You just have to

call and set up an appointment if you go that route. It took about an hour.

If you have any questions or would like some suggestions on websites for more

information, feel free to e mail me directly.

I just didn't want you to be shocked by the process.

Hugs,

Tami

>

> I have lost my health insurance ( can't work, can't pay) and am working up the

nerve to go to local clinic for people who don't have insurance.

>

> I am starting a process to apply for Disability. Some say you have to pay a

lawyer to get through their denial process. Has anyone been successful at

getting Disability through Social Security?

>

> Process looks daunting right now. Thanks, Joan in Oregon

>

[Guest guest]

I have been a homemaker for 23 years. I've home schooled my six kids

but haven't really worked much outside the home

Can I file on my husband's disability?

Thanks for answering.

Anne in TX