Re: Applying for Social Security Disability

[Guest guest]

Two years ago I applied for Social Security Disability (SSD)

and it was approved. The application was

mandated by my application for a Federal Employee Disability (FED). The definition of disability for FED is that you

can’t do your current job, SSD definition is that you can’t work at all or that

you can only earn less than about $900/month. If you can earn more than about $900/month you

are considered gainfully employed by Social Security even if you can’t do your

previous job.

I did not have a lawyer and honestly thought that applying for

SSD was a waste of time (you had to be dead to get it). The process is involved, but not

impossible. All the information you need

to apply can be obtained by requesting your medical records from your doctors. You can fill out the application online.

Social Security told me that about 1/3 of the people who

apply are accepted. This was much higher

than I thought. When I went to the Social Security office for the interview,

the man interviewing said that he was surprised that I was able to work as long

as I had. He also told me that he thought

I would be granted a disability. I was

shocked.

I am not sure how much this helped, but we had our US

Senator’s office submit the claim. It is

called a congressional flag. They reviewed the claim and helped us through the

red tape. They will help you if you ask

them. If nothing else they were a great

encouragement.

If you have any other questions I will try and help. Squillace