Hi Jay-

My group disability does cover non-work related issues but I am not sure what the process is like and how it differs from SSDI.

I don't know anything about the process but it sounds like you have had enough tests done by your doctor. The only thing I would say is that the skin biopsy would be another piece that might be helpful? It is a very analytical test which simply counts the nerve fiber density. It is objective and by itself can indicated small fiber neuropathy which obviously causes lots of discomfort and disability.

Were you denied once already? And just curious about your age?

Take care,
David

Hi Friends,
I just wanted to let everyone know that I was approved for SSDI, yesterday I saw a deposit in my checking account so I made a couple of phone calls, and yes I'm approved. I applied in mid January of this year and after that I contacted a company called ALLSUP, they agreed to take my claim and I just can't believe I was awarded in five short months. I had to do alot of the leg work and nag the doctors to send in their reports after filing but other than that I did nothing. The S.S. lady said oh I see they forgot to send out the letters, I'll que them up and you should be getting them in the next ten days. Best of all I don't have to do the "tap dance" for my disability company anymore, they demanded new paperwork every month and were generally wearing me down. I'm so darn happy so know I can focus on my health now!

jamnaw - glad to hear your good news. I can't tell if you contacted Mike who I wrote about in the first post of this thread.

But for all others who are about to apply for SS disability - go to that first post in this thread, read what I said, and give Mike a call. He's the real "McCoy" and more often than not get's you approved on the first try. He doesn't charge for his expertise *admin edit*.

Hi Dan,
I didn't contact Mike but I did my research and bought Disability Workbook by Douglas M Smith at amazon.com, I filled it out and followed it with the exception of a face to face meeting with the SSDI agent. We did that by phone and she told me it would be at least four months before I got my first denial. In the meantime I found a company called ALLSUP on the internet and called them, they worked with my disability company and the SS folks. The agent told me that they have a 54% success rate the first time with claims, I believe that having PN, Rheumatoid & Degenerative disc disease was a major factor. Oh, and of course my age, I'm turning 53 next week after working all my life since age 15 and I still do part-time work from home taking pledges so it's not like I'm a good candidate for rehab??? I don't know what it was but I feel very fortunate and less stressed now.
Weird thing is I got no paperwork from SSDI indicating I was awarded benefits, they lady said, "Um, it looks like someone forgot to que the letters, I'll do that now and you'll get the paperwork sometime next week", works for me....

I;m applynig for it and I;m sending every scrap of paper I have from doctors visits,, results,, everything

Update,, yesterday I got a letter saying I was awarded benefits,,, took 3 months,,

Good for you, FTB!

Awesome news! It can be done if you have all of your info together and ready!

I was wrong,, it took 5 months,, I called SSA,, they told me my application date was sept 09, that was when I started the app online

That's what they did to me too, it is five months from approval, I have a good friend from high school that hired an attorney two years ago and is still waiting for her appeal hearing. She couldn't believe it when we reconnected after 30 some years that I got on it so quickly and it was by starting the process myself and calling Allsup. She is still waiting and is in really bad shape and can't work...we are the lucky few.