Warning long - General Info on SSDI 'qualifications' Re: Disability

[Guest guest]

And I trimming the previous posts.

Since someone mentioned that your age has an impact on approval for

SSDI. I thought I would add my two cents.

Those Factors are:

Age Education geographic location Ability to read/write/speak

Yes, age has got a lot to do with it. And I have heard about that

magic age of 50. Yes, I think it's age-ism, in a perfect world it

would not matter what your age is in being hired. The reality is if

you have been out of work due to disability or have re-trained

yourself and are over 50, finding a job is going to be harder. This

is just one varible in the process, just being over 50 doesn't get

you approved for SSDI.

Education - This is another varible. If you have a Doctorate degree

in Physics with a minor in the chemistry of Green House Gases. You

are going to have a harder time claiming disability than someone who

did not graduate high school. It doesn't matter what your age is.

Some university would probably take you just to sit and talk. Also,

and this is important! If your disability has impacted your career

to the point that you cannot do it anymore. That will help your

claim, but SSA will still look into if you can do any other job. If

you were a Registered Nurse, and can not physically do the job anymore

(lifting, walking,etc), SSA will look into if you could do a job that

required sitting.

Ability to read/write/speak, usually English, but it depends on your

neighborhood. No or little schooling, and not being able to

understand written English, impares your ability to find and keep a

job. Most of the job availible will be physical in nature, so a

disability is going to have a major impact on your ability to work.

Geographic location - Where you live can also have a impact. If the

jobs you could do, aren't where you live or are all filled. Well

then, that is something you want considered in your evaluation. You

may have to ask. Lets face it, if there are a hundred able bodied

applicants, unless there is a incentive like a tax break. A disabled

person is not going to get the job. Yes, this can be a consideration

in determining disability. Again, ask.

I also want to touch on the different timelines for disability

determination in States. Yes, there is a difference in the length of

time. I can check and see where that information is. There was

something in the news about a year ago for new judges being added for

appeals of SSDI determination. I'll get the website for those of you

waiting on a appeal.

The last word on disability determination. Being approved relies

greatly on how you complete your application, both the first bit of

paperwork, and the second larger application you recieved in the mail

after. Also, how your doctor(s) completes his(their) portion, and

the forms from your friends. Remember your portion of the paperwork

should be from the standpoint of " you " on a bad day, or at least a

average of your days. Same for going to a CME (SSA doctor), don't

dress up, just look like you usually do. It's okay to let them see

you as your usually are.

Okay after you and your team(doctors, friend, etc) have

everything in to your Disability Determination worker. All they do

is compare your application package to their rules and regulations.

It's a pretty dry process. Is your illness in the blue book? If

yes, does your illness, or a combination of illnesses, meet the

requirements outlined in the blue book? If no, you may be scheduled

for a visit to a local CME for evaluation. Do you have 40 quarters

of work history in the past 10 years, less if you are under 30 y.o.

If not, you will be evaluated for eligibility to SSI. If you have

passed to this point, that is where the varibles come into play.

Then, they look at you ability to do ADL (Activities of Daily

Living), your education level/type, your age, where you live, etc.

The one area that people continue to NOT DO is document what they can

and can not do. Give the worker the information they need to document

that you cannot work due to illness, and you will increase your

likehood of being approved.

OH, gosh, this got long and I left out a LOT.