Re:dealing with authorities

[Guest guest]

Hi Sannon--

You are entitled to be nervous about SSI reviews. SSI job is to prevent

people from getting, and to get as many of them off it, as they can. After

all, the budget is being stretched to breaking.

The system has flaws in it that make it far too easy to get lost or dumped.

And since it is a nerve-wracking process, the stress from dealing with the

system can cause increased illness, just from the stress!!!

You are absolutely on the right track, about getting letters from teachers,

councellors, Dr's, voc. rehab, and any other official who can substantiate

how much time you had to take off work, AND MORE IMPORTANT, how much time you

were at work but should not have been, because you were ill, but trying to

just cope with it or help out your old employer.

The letters need to show, by working, you further jeopardized your health.

[And that could end up costing the system more than just maintaining you on a

monthly check]

If the Dr is really savvy about writing the letters, they will include that:

by increased stress from trying to work, you have increased the potential for

needing more intense medical treatment, and, should this continue, you might

require full-time care sooner, which could cost the system more than meerly

maintaining you on a monthly check with some trips to hospital....

[cause and effect of getting someone to work who is made more ill by working

= greater cost to the system]

The letters need to show that the work situation you were in has not been

something you have been able to maintain.

NOTE: If one of the letter writers lists that " you could work, IF... " ; or,

something similar, all the SSI evaluator will see is that you could

work----Never mind how ridiculous the 'what if' might have been--I have seen

some dandys [like - " --she could work, if someone would brace her up to the

table, and stand there to make sure she didn't fall over....]!!![and SSI's

first reaction was to then deny the benefits, because she might be able to

work!!!]

Yes, it is ok for you, the subject, to go get those letters, and

submit them to SSI as needed. SSI may also recontact those people, to ask

them to recount their letters again--so tell the writers to keep a copy of

what they write, in case they need to re-send it, or discuss it again.

Yes, you can warn the writers about being careful to only write things

that clearly document that you were not proceding in the best interests of

your health, by trying to work [key word: trying].

Keep copies of those letters in your file.

Call SSI, and tell them the form does not have adequate questions/space to

allow you to appropriately chronical the events that caused you to earn

over-limit.

PROBABLY, they will tell you to attach further documentation....so you would

then attach copies of your letters mentioned above.

Yes, there might be consequences, such as, SSI might want to dock your

current check to make up for " overpaying " you the year(s) you earned too

much--sorta like taxes.

Worst case scenario, you might need to get a disability lawyer [again!], to

help you go thru the process [and yes, they get more money, doggone it!--but

at least, it is limited to 25%, isn't it? Not sure, when they are dealing

with appeals like that]

But please, do not let this stuff cause your stress button to go into

overdrive! That would not help you!

Just ask lots of questions of the SSI office, and, if needed, make an

appointment to see someone at that office.

The main thing is, you must be able to substantiate that you cannot sustain

regular, adequate work without harming yourself---that is the important part

of the formula, not just the part about earning how much.

Over and over, too....Because, when you get one refusal letter, usually based

upon SSI lacking info they need, you need to resubmit ALL your substantive

documentation, every time they come back with a refusal letter....They are

not, evidentally, smart enuf to actually read substantive documents

previously sent in, to go along with the new ones, even if it has only been a

few months.

You have had some serious stuff going on, medically and emotionally. Do not

panic! Just read what they want, carefully, and answer questions as clearly

as you can. If the form does not match your circumstances, ask them about

attaching appropriate documentation. If the questions are not appropriate

to your circumstances, talk with someone about how to best clarify it so it

can be answered right for you.

In any case, keep a record of time, date, names, and conversations, for any

phone calls you make to SSI. This is evidence you might need later, to refer

too. Phone logs are legally admisable documentation, usually.

Hang in there, babe!

Connie H.

WA

> Date: Wed, 25 Sep 2002 13:52:44 +0000

>

> Subject: Social Security Review

>

> OK, I am in a panic. I got papers yesterday questioning why I reported

> income for a year. It was while I was in school and trying to work very

> limited hours to see if I was going to be able to return to work full time.

> I only worked tops 16 hours a week. when I first started it was only 1 day

> a week-- Saturdays. It was a previous employer that approached me. I wa

> asked to return because they needed a weekend supervisor and someone to run

> the office lab on weekends. I did not realize that I made - at the time to

> much money per month. I had difficulties thorughout the employement.

> OPeration for kidney stones, ovarian cysts, j-tube, PICC line. I quit when

> I

> had the PICC line. It was shortly afterward that I developed the

> endocarditis. The in not a place on the form really for an explanation of

> what all happened while i was employed, or my siuation now. I was wrong, I

> read the rules about working while disabled but I thought I could with the

> limited hours I was working. I didn't realize they were " paying me to well "

> - thats a joke. THe guidelines at the time allowed only 200.00/month

> income.

> They have since been raised to 500.00/month but only this year. ANy ideas

> how to procede. I am terrified. I can't afford to lose it nor can I work.

> Help? Should I attatch a letter to the form? What do I do? My disablility

> was approved the first time, but I thought since I had been diagnosed with

> pulmonary hypertension, and hospitalized for depression- in addition to the

> 30+ times in the hosp. that is why it was approved.

> Well since the pulmonary hypertension has improved (no signs although no

> cath to show new numbers), I haven't been in the hosp quite as much maybe

> 10

> times a year. including one this past May for depression. The problem is

> since last Oct. none of my admissions since Last Sept, anyway, has been due

> to CP. THey have been for sepsis, endocarditis, open heart

> surgery,pulmonary

> effusions,. I am scheduled for surgery for endometriosis Oct 16th. How

> should I approach this? Thoughts, Ideas would be appreciated. I was up all

> night worrying.

> Tuten-SC

> ____________________

>

> Thanks. OK I averaged out what they have reported as earnings. For 2000 it

> was $289.00/month and for 2001 $333.38 . One other mention. Voc Rehab was

> helping to pay for me to go to school so I could go back to work. It was a

> big mess. They never wanted to pay the tuition first, always made it late.

> even though I would get my grades and take them straight to the office and

> I

> always had a 4.0 so it wasnl't like they were not sure if I would pass.

> Maybe I need to give my resp instructors names so they can give a letter as

> to how much class time I had to miss due to being ill- with

> pancreatitis.?????? I'm grasping at straws here.

>

> Tuten

>

> _____________________________________________________________

>