[hfernandez]

Hello! I have applied for disability for just a few months while I have chemotherapy for breast cancer. While i was having chemo., the dr. and nurses noticed i was having anxiety attacks because of needles and digging for veins. I have had anxiety attacks for a long time but I noticed them only when I was in the military. I cannot claim disability for military because there is no medical record for it. Anyway, soon near the end of chemotherapy (I am done, Yay!) I got a call telling me that i was to go see a dr. for anxiety. I went to see the dr. and he was so very nice and smiley and calming. I soon noticed that he asked me leading questions. Like an idiot, because i couldn't remember a lot of stuff, I went along with it. For instance, he asked how long they lasted and I told him I never timed them. He started giving me times. He pushed for 10 minutes. I took it. What was dumb was that I had an anxiety attack that morning before I got to his office and while I was there. So the anxiety attack lasted over an hour. I later timed it again and it was over 2 hours. I decided to write a letter to him explaining answers because the ones I gave were incomplete. Now I am having anxiety because I read this forum and saw where someone got denied because she lied. I live with my mom and she is a work horse. I take care of her but she has been taking care of me during chemotherapy. So when I first started, I took care of her, now she takes care of me and that looks like a lie.
I am so confused as to his questions and my answers because everything has changed it was like I was lying. I feel so bad, even if I don't expect disability for anxiety because I didn't even put in for it, I am crying as i am typing this.
At one point, he asked a question, and I know I answered it for a normal person and he said, "You answered that right." When I wrote about him, I said he was calming and good things. But as I am home and thinking so much, I realized that maybe they do get paid to get us to mess up so we don't get the disability. I wouldn't mind if i didn't get disability for anxiety, as long as it was for the truth. I have not lied. So am very worried that I will not even get disability for at least chemotherapy time. Several times he gave me funny disappointed looks when I answered his questions. Did I mess up?
I cannot figure out why the disability people deny and deny, a person with a disability, until one has to get an attorney. Why does a poor person with a disability have to pay a person who has so much money already. That's wrong. So disability money goes to well to do people. Doesn't seem right. they take a big chunk from what i understand. So then a poor disabled person is still poor and disabled. Still behind on bills.
I am sorry, I don't know how to tag.

[LIT LOVE]

What type of disability did you apply for, first of all?

There is a Social Security Disability Forum on this site which has lots of info in the stickies, or where you can post questions if it's SSI or SSDI you're talking about. For SS disability, your disability must prevent you from working for a minimum of one year. How long have you been unable to work? (SS can grant you a closed period award. Essentially retroactive benefits while you were undergoing chemotherapy for example, but it has to be for a minimum of a year, I believe, and would usually be the decision of an ALJ...) Do you feel that since your chemotherapy is finished that your psych issues will prevent you from returning to work? If so, than it would be a good idea to seek the care of a psych doc that will be supportive of your claim, and can perhaps help you through medication and/or therapy. The stress of a major illness can certainly exacerbate underlying psych issues. You don't want to rely on a single appointment by a SS doc to influence your application. While I don't think there is a conspiracy of SS docs to deny benefits, it just isn't enough time to evaluate most patients. And don't worry about confusing details, that is fairly common, and you haven't done anything wrong.

If you live in CA, RI, HI, NJ, or NY, they offer short term disability insurance which is an easier process to receive benefits (generally speaking.)

You should also consider applying for Medicaid, Food Stamps, and Cash Aid, if you haven't done so already.

Good luck.

[hfernandez]

I really appreciate your reply. It sure helped. You opened my eyes a bit. I applied for SS for chemotherapy. I asked them first and they talked me into applying. I am a veteran and will see my primary care physician and explain things. I will see about getting another dr. to help me. Thank you very much, again. You made me feel better! (Hope I did this right)

Originally Posted by LIT LOVE

What type of disability did you apply for, first of all?

There is a Social Security Disability Forum on this site which has lots of info in the stickies, or where you can post questions if it's SSI or SSDI you're talking about. For SS disability, your disability must prevent you from working for a minimum of one year. How long have you been unable to work? (SS can grant you a closed period award. Essentially retroactive benefits while you were undergoing chemotherapy for example, but it has to be for a minimum of a year, I believe, and would usually be the decision of an ALJ...) Do you feel that since your chemotherapy is finished that your psych issues will prevent you from returning to work? If so, than it would be a good idea to seek the care of a psych doc that will be supportive of your claim, and can perhaps help you through medication and/or therapy. The stress of a major illness can certainly exacerbate underlying psych issues. You don't want to rely on a single appointment by a SS doc to influence your application. While I don't think there is a conspiracy of SS docs to deny benefits, it just isn't enough time to evaluate most patients. And don't worry about confusing details, that is fairly common, and you haven't done anything wrong.

If you live in CA, RI, HI, NJ, or NY, they offer short term disability insurance which is an easier process to receive benefits (generally speaking.)

You should also consider applying for Medicaid, Food Stamps, and Cash Aid, if you haven't done so already.

Good luck.

[LIT LOVE]

Regarding hiring an attorney (or a non-attorney SSDI representative-which often times is a former SS employee) they are paid from your backpay. You do not have to have any money to get help. The percentage is very low, and the max they can receive is low (25% or $6000, whichever is lower.)

You may also be able to find a non-profit group that will help for free.

Many attorneys won't accept clients until their claim has been denied in the first few stages. Non-attorney reps will often take clients earlier and provide more hands on help. (With attorneys, much of the work is often done by paralegals.) These fees can be inconsequential if you have a long term disability (and that is generally the case for those who are approved.) If someone will take you as a client early on, and help you get a quick approval, their fees can end up being quite low.

You might want to check into services provided by your local Vocation Rehabilitation Center. They'll provide lots of testing, which will help you document your issues, and even send you to docs, if needed. They might be able to accommodate your disability by providing you with work training in a field that would be something you could manage. You can be entitled to certain benefits as a disabled worker, but maybe not so severely disabled to qualify for SS disability. Could you handle phone work from your own home? They maybe to help you return to work, and if not, you'll have credible documentation.

Have you spoken to an attorney regarding (I'm assuming PTSD) a veteran's claim? I believe some have had success years after discharge. It is not a quick process, though. There's some good info here:
http://ptsdcombat.blogspot.com/2006/...-help.html?m=1

[ginnie]

I want to first welcome you to Neruo Talk. You will find alot of compassion here, and some help. don't hesitate to go to the disability forum to present some of your questions regarding disabiltiy claims. the whole system contrary to what others believe, I believe is fully out of wack. They make it so hard and confusing to apply. That is one thing that led me to find a representative for my case. He saw it through the four years it took for me to qualify. I am a poor disabled person on disability and loosing my home now because of this system.. I do know how it feels not to know which direction or what answer to give. You did your best at the time the questions were presented to you. with Anxiety, nobody really knows how long attacks stick around. They varry with the circumstances that bring it on. I know I had one in the disablity office when I was peppered with questions I didn't know how to answer, and I was treated like a common criminal. That after working my whole life, was not something I expected our Government to do to people. My parents did not think that way either. Find good rep. to help you get your benefits. The forum for that issue may be able to direct you to someone in your neck of the woods.
Also about needles. I have the same phobia. I don't have veins left either, and they wind up digging around, which as you know hurts. They now have dopplar, a machine that can look through the skin, to find the veins that arn't apparant to the eyes or to touch. Request it, if your find yourself in that position again. They can do much to relieve our stress at these tests and proceedures that they don't do unless you demand it. To place pick lines and such, there are ways to reduce pain, fright and discomfort. I even told one blood vampire who woke me up at 3 a.m. when I just got to sleep in pain, to leave and come back at a reasonable hour. Demand better treatment, and have someone help you with disabiltiy. Nobody who is sick should be put through all the garbage that is thrown at us. Be your own best advocate, and know that someone cares about you, and understands some of what you have gone through. come back here to talk, and for peace of mind. You will make some friends too as I have. I came here two years ago and still RUN back her for support when I need it. I do wish you all the best, and hope you can go forward with some better help. ginnie