Re: SSDI. . .need help!!!!! to

[Guest guest]

,

Since I've been in the application process, denied, applied a second time,

denied, and am now in the appeal process awaiting my court date with a

judge, perhaps I can offer a few suggestions. My original application was

sent in June 1, 2003.

I wasn't working at the time of my initial application because my illness forced

me to stop working back in October of 2000, so I can't answer your questions

about how much income you can still earn while applying. If you check the

Social Security Administration government website, I believe you can find all

that information there. Persue the Disability section very thoroughly, you may

find the answers to many of your questions.

I would suggest that you start now by obtaining copies of all your medical

records, lab tests, x-rays, radiology reports and anything pertinent to your

medical disability claim. Talk to all of your doctors and tell them what you

are

planning to do, and have each of these doctors prepare statements attesting

to your disabilities and reasons why you are unsuitable for employment, now,

and permanently.

If you chose to, hire an attorney who specializes in disability claims only.

After

my first application was turned down, I hired an attorney from a firm in

Washington, DC that was recommended through the PAI. They are supposed

to track down, process and submit all the paperwork for you directly to the

SSA for a set fee, and can answer any questions you may have as you go

along.

I'm not sure what other specific questions you may have. I personally have

found the whole process to be very stressful and, in my case, disappointing

because of the denials so far. The cost of my increased pharmacy and

medical bills frightens the daylights out of me, especially knowing that as

soon as my husband retires he'll have no insurance covering it like he does

now. My submission for disability was based on chronic calcifying

pancreatitis with pseudocysts, causing malabsorption (malnutrition) and

osteopenia, brittle insulin dependent diabetes mellitus with episodes of

hypoglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis. I had documentation verifying that

each of these conditions met with the SSDI guidelines qualifying them for

disablement. I also have thyroid problems, arthritis and scoliosis that were

not included in my list of medical complaints. The arthritis has been

wonderfully silent since the onset of CP, or perhaps the CP meds are making

it seem so! I stopped seeing my rheumie several years ago. I figured that the

CP and related diabetes problems were disabiling enough, but it doesn't

appear so.

It does appear that certain parts of the country are less stringent than others

in

granting approvals, since I've known of some people who were given

disability the first time around with minimal paperwork or documentation, and

with far less medical problems than what I've listed. Hopefully you'll be in

one

of those areas. If there are any specific questions you think I might be able

to

answer, please ask. If I can't answer them, maybe someone else can.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SC & SE Regional Rep.

PAI

Note: All comments or advice are personal opinion only, and should not be

substituted for professional medical consultation.