When and if a PNer reaches the point where applying for Social Security disability is near I strongly recommend that Mike F be contacted at:
*edit* contact DanP for info. Mike resides in the Eastern Time Zone so consider that if you call.

Mike has helped a lot PNers get their SS disability and very often on the first try. I'm pretty sure some of the folks here have used his advice and I'm certain some from the old BT forum and TNA site have. Mike does not fill out the forms for you but will guide you all the way through the process. He knows not only what to include but perhaps more important what NOT to include.

Mike does not charge for his expertise *admin edit* He is legitimate in every sense of the word and I have personally met and visited with him when I made a trip to NY. He came all the way into NYC to meet with me and we had dinner and talked the night away. I belong to this and a couple of other PN sites so Mike and I remain in touch. I'm certain that Rose will verify Mike's letitimacy as well as Mrs D, Glenn, David, and maybe Lisa Jane and a few others here. Why does he help? Because he too is a PNer, understands the problems, and simply enjoys being of service to his fellow man/woman. Simply put, Mike is the real McCoy.

So, I stongly recommend everyone reading this write down Mike's name, email address, and telephone number and keep it handy. And Mike...if your reading this - thanks for all those you have helped and blessings upon you, my friend.

Dan Pearce

If any Canucks with PN need help- let me know. I might not be able to help but we can commiserate together. I was just declined yesterday. The woman said it was because my neuro repeatedly declined to answer 3 questions about my disease and prognosis. (thanks Doc) I'm covered financially by insurance through work. The paper work for that was enormous too. My neuro feels that she's filled out enough forms for me I guess. Anyway, the appeal process will begin. I'm really looking forward to that.

Can you really get disability for having PN

Newbie to all this!

To Joneb - YES, you can get SS disability when your PN is severe enough - many on this forum have. Check with your Social Security office for details.

I would suggest Disability Workbook by Douglas Smith, available on
Amazon for $20.
I used his worksheets and followed his suggestions. I applied with SS on June 1st - and received my approval in mid-August.

Linda

I applied in NM in Jan 2007 and was denied. Am now in CO and told the wait for an appeal is about 2 years. Wondering what state you are in? Was told that in some states you can get disability much faster than in others. Thanks.

Nice hearing from you Dan.
Lanny

Yes you can, but as mentioned, you do need documented medical history, from your doctor, and some doctors do not like to do this, Luckily my didn't mind, and did all the paper work. My case from application to being granted disability, took 2 years, (I was denied twice, then hired an Attorney), and pretty much ruined me financially.

DB62

I talked with Mike tonight to make sure he was still willing to help anyone who needs to apply for Social Security disability. He is available and he will help you. For years I have been advising folks to contact Mike to get help with this. Mike is a PNer himself and has been on PN disability for 18 years and has helped many PNers get their claims approved - often on the first try!!! He knows the disability application process inside and out and enjoys helping his fellow PNers with their application and has helped several on this and other PN sites. He doesn't do the actual application but guides you from start to finish and he does not charge for his expertise. *admin edit* His reward is knowing that he helped yet another PN patient who became disabled.

Mike advised me tonight there is a slight change from the past and that you should contact him first by email at: *please contact DanP for details* and to be sure and include your full telephone number and what time zone your in so he can call you back. This is now necessary because he is doing some parttime work and might not be available if you were to call him as I have advised in the past.

I have known Mike for several years and he is absolutely legitimate and dependable. *admin edit*

Dan,

This message is not meant to disparage anyone in any way, shape, or form, but rather to supply information as I lived this process for 2 years up to an administrative law judge hearing.

Your friend is NOT available from "start to finish" as he is not representing someone and appearing at a hearing or answering a question in writing from a judge prior to one. It is misleading to think anyone but a duly-appointed representative will be there until the end of ones claim.

When one applies for an SSDI the lawyer is possibly allowed to charge you ONLY for those small fees such as getting records. He MAY NOT charge you for advice, PERIOD! Nothing is costly unless you win and then it still isn't (explained below). As a general rule, they take as many cases as they can, throw them against the wall, and hope it sticks. One might be better with a Registered Representative allowed to sign the documentation. I think the search term would be NOSSCR

By law, the fee for representation on a social security disability or SSI disability case is 25% of your award amount up to $10,000 and currently there is a maximum of $6000. If you are denied you pay nothing.

Also, if your friend is helping with the paperwork (and I had a former claims rep in SSA help me as the lawyers do not spend a ton of time with you and your claim is FAR more a legal issue than a medical one, one learns) then who is appearing with the claimant in front of an ALJ (Administrative law Judge)?

They lawyers who do this know the judges. They know what one likes to hear, and they know what is deadly wrong to say at your case. I knew ahead of time I would be asked what prevented me from testing feather beds all day and I damn well better not have said nothing. The judge wanted to hear why my malady would not allow me to last a day. All judges have trick questions to find if you are - "Generally Credible" - They know the questions they ask and they prep you to hear them. If you apply with no lawyer your documentation had best be razor sharp to the point of his saying in 5 minutes that you are approved. Most people who are disabled are in no condition to provide all the right answers. ALSO, if you have no lawyer, the ALJ immediately thinks you have a poor case as no lawyer would take it and he will probably ask you why you did not retain one. You might draw a judge who denies anyone without representation as some of them are sympathetic, and some of them can be real bastards to the sick if you came to their court unprepared and wasted their time because your documentation was a disaster to read and he is ticked-off already.

*admin edit* When you represent someone in a SSA SSDI claim you sign documents as to their representing you. Just doing it alone, as your friend's name will not be on it, shows a pretty good ability to traverse the system that is NOT usually able to be done by a disabled individual. I'm not saying it is illegal, but why would someone have a silent partner like this?

You might be collecting disability for 20, 30, or 40 years. Winning itself is an achievement. Paying $6,000 out of benefits is nothing compared to winning a case. You find someone with a track record of winning and you start reading the SSA Code yourself to keep on top of your lawyer. While your friend might be too sick to be a non-lawyer claims rep, no one not appearing regularly before an ALJ will know when you are given his name exactly what he likes to see and what he doesn't. It is a legal issue. Unless one has practiced this area, I believe that helping might well be fine. But being your sole means of representation is a very bad move as you need representation at the hearing and most cases DO go to a hearing unless you are very sick indeed.

I hope this helped someone. I also hope I made it clear that I know what I'm talking about.