Just wanted to give my experience with claiming for SSDI. After reading about the procedure on the government website and talking with some knowledgeable people (I'm lucky to have worked for a man who has a wonderful lawyer), I decided that going in from the beginning with a lawyer who is experienced in this field was the smartest route. I filed for SSDI on line and then received a call from the government to confirm my information and was informed that I would receive paperwork via mail to complete. Using a lawyer will cost you nothing if your claim is denied and will only cost you a one time charge of about 20% of your first payment if your claim is accepted. Be sure to hire a professional lawyer (I would be hesitant to hire one that you see advertised on TV).

From the beginning, my lawyer wrote to the Government (once I had a claim number) advising them that he was representing me, he provided me with a form for my doctor to complete confirming my diagonsis (I have both MG and Stiff Person Syndrone) and sent that to the appropriate government office along with a letter stating that it was obvious that my condition fit the government guidelines (there are a number of diseases that the government has preapproved and MG is one). The government takes 90 days to review your claim and will send their own paperwork to your doctor to complete (it is a good idea to followup with your doctor to make sure they don't drag their feet in completing the forms).

I believe that going into this with a lawyer from the beginning is the best way to show the government that your diagnosis is serious.

Good luck to all who have to go through this hassle.

Southern Bell