I applied for and was granted my SSDI on the very first try, and didnt have to wait the two years. I was very disabled and it was applied for as part of my severance package as a forced retirement from my job. It lowered what I received in retirement from them, because it was a source of income from SSDI. I did however have to wait the 2 years for the MEdicare to kick in. I was well covered till then, and not happy when Meidcare became my primary, as they dont cover kleenex.

I started receiving payments within 60 days of my application and approval.

hang in there.

Faith - I really think your lawyer was just trying to give you a worst case scenario. In my mind, your history is pretty much strong enough to get you approved quickly. How many people who apply have lost 3 straight jobs directly because of MS and also look at how much FMLA time you have used during that period of time. If anyone could get a quick approval, it should be you.

Take it one step at a time and don't get ahead of yourself. There was a reading in church a week ago and part of it was to not worry about the future, but to only deal with the troubles of the day at hand. Sounds like good advice for you right now.

Probably good advice.

I have an appt. with my therapist this afternoon. I haven't seen her for several years, and I don't know that I really need therapy right now, but I mostly want to pick her brain about disability.

She had said once that she is often effective in helping people get approved. I think they are denying more freq now than they used to, but I'll see if she can help, and if I can try that route instead of signing the papers with the attorney, who would collect 25%. I can prob wait to hire them if I need to go to court.

Still not sure about the not working thing. The para-legal that we talked to at the attorney's office said it was OK to work, but recommended that I not get too close to the $900 limit, because SSA might say, if I can work that much, why can't I work more, and why do I need disability.

~ Faith

Faith,
So sorry to hear you're going through a job loss. I hope things work out for you with a job that gives you more fullfillment of the disability. Even though it sounds like the disability is not what you want.

Good luck and God Bless!
Kathy

The 2 year Medicare wait is Law...if you check the thread that I posted in SSDI forum, there is a bill in the Senate and the House to eliminate that 2 year waiting period for people under the age of 65 who have already qualified for SSDI. You might want to send a letter to your Senators and Representatives asking for their support.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread46305.html