Happy Disability Dance!!!
 

Just got my first of many SSDI checks today!!! I haven't even gotten the papers to say that I qualified...so anyone who is going through the SSDI roller coaster, stay on and hold tight...it's coming to you soon!!!

Cindi,

Congratulations? This always feels like a weird thing to congratulate people about. It's hard to celebrate that you've proved you're so severely disabled you qualify... I completely understand the relief though!

Checks, not direct deposit? It is faster and safer to sign up for direct deposit. Checks do get lost or stolen.

It would be very helpful for those in the process to explain if there was a difference/s in this 2nd application that was approved as opposed to your first unsuccessful application. TY!

Congrats. Don't spend it all in one place! lol

How does the disability work, I am missing a lot of work since I received my pain stimulator and need to do something!!:mad:

I'm so happy that you now have one less thing to worry about. I know you waited a long time for this. :)

congratulations. I hope mine shows up soon. I was approved in august. but because of WC it is being held up.

It was a direct deposit, I should have added....I know it does feel weird telling someone congrats on this, but I feel finally vindicated because they gave it to me on my RDS dx....I have been without insurance and income for 3 1/2 years and it has put a huge strain on our family, so I will take that congratulations!

My advice to getting the SSDI is definitely get a disabilty lawyer, it is soooo worth it. It was my 2nd time applying and with my lawyer it took exactly 4 months to get approved. I let her handle everything and all I did was show up for the appts.

Check to see if your state offers medically needy Medicaid--which you might qualify for now that you've been approved for SSDI. Now that that you've been approved other resources become more easily available... Not every state offers it, but it's worth looking into. ;)

3 1/2 years is a long time. Please share anything you learned to make the journey easier for others. If you haven't read up on the CDR process, check out the thread I started about them in SSD forum. They're not a big deal if you know what to expect, but they can headaches for the uninitiated.

Congrats Cindi,
Like LitLove said...it is so sad we have to congratulate each other on getting SSD. Sad but a reality in our life for sure. Now you may be ready for the "Big Leagues" like me lol...riding the handicapped bus. What a treat that is here in PA. I think I am doing good and have lots of strength but just going through the process of pick-up and drop-off and the nastiness of some people (and other patrons) is horrible. I feel like such a dufus when I go through this scenario. Most people think because we are injured/disabled we are total idiots. I am trying to get through that problem all the time. And now you have your SSD you can begin the never-ending paper process of Medicare/Medicaid, etc...the fun never stops. I make so many phone calls, type letters, etc. I feel like I need a secretary anymore. Most people think we sit home and eat bon-bons all day (I can't wait for that to happen) lol. Welcome to the "Big Leagues!"

I think I am probably the only one here that had absolutely no problem with getting SSD. I filled out the paperwork, had someone drop it off, and by the fourth month got a letter saying I had it. No appointments, no attorney, nothing. Strange huh? Although with everything else in life I had a hard time. Go figure.

Good luck with everything and if you need any help from us here please feel free to ask. We all have a wealth of information and it is a great place to get quick info.
Take care,
kathy d

You are not alone by far. There are many of us who got SSDI on the first round with no legal representation. Congrats to all of us, no matter how we were approved!

Doing the happy dance with you!!!!!!!!!!!

For you Cindi...

:Dancing-Chilli::Dancing-Chilli::Dancing-Chilli::Dancing-Chilli::Dancing-Chilli::Dancing-Chilli:

:Dancing-Chilli::Dancing-Chilli::Dancing-Chilli::Dancing-Chilli::Dancing-Chilli::Dancing-Chilli:[/QUOTE]

Wow Cindi...you must be very very special because Jimbo sent you the dancing chilli AND a dancing turkey too. lol.

It is the little things in life that make me laugh!...just bear with me!
kathy d

It's ok Kathy, we have to appreciate the little things that DO make us laugh....I stupidly thought that getting the SSDI was going to be a cure all, but the excitement of getting the money yesterday through me into a small flare...it's also been raining here. I have to laugh at myself for being so dense. :rolleyes:

Hi Cindi,
I don't think you are dense. You have accomplished something and for us to accomplish anything in one day is an amazing thing. You go and celebrate.

I think the rain had alot to do with how you were feeling yesterday...I had a bad day yesterday too and today seems not much better and we are expecting rain prob tomorrow here. I get alot more burning and aches before the storm hits. Hope you are feeling less "dense" today. lol.
kathy d

Cindi, it sure isn't winning the lotto (nor should it be) but it should provide you with a bit of financial stability. Depending on your family resources, and what your state offer's to the disabled, you might find additional help now as well...

Our children grow up so quickly, that if you can use any portion of your backpay to create memories with or for them, I highly recommend it.

Congratulations Cindi! I knew you'd receive what you are entitled to. :)
I thought that when Suzy received her SSDI, in which it was significant, 3.5 years of backpay, that she would cheer up etc. She never smiled, I did all the smiling of course. Although my mental pain was eased her physical pain didn't. But the stress for her was greatly reduced which is a damn good thing.
Sleep good Cindi!! :)

Sadly, I didn't get any backpay and my lawyer and I don't know why. We decided not to fight it because of all the training that I had in my position, a judge could easily resended the decision and said that I could go to a different job, so we left well alone..

I am making the same amount of money that I did about 4 years ago. By this I mean with all the extra deductibles that I had taken out of my work paycheck for eye, dental, life, and medical along with union dues and donations to the sick bank, it may be a little more. I didn't qualify for SSI.... Not having the financial burden in our family is better than winning the lottery. It makes me feel like a contributing member of my family and a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

Peace of mind is good medicine :)

You darn tooten! Still a very good outcome. I only mentioned the back pay because it took 4 years and it was enough to put a smile on most people's face but not Suzy, straight face all the way. Very shy person.

Sadly, I didn't get any back pay and we don't qualify for SSI, BUT with my amount and the suppliment for my son, my husband and I figured out that I will be getting almost the same amount that I made at my job 4 years ago. There really is something to be said for working in the same profession for 25 years!! My 10 year old stated that since I had been working since I was 16 and you can retire after 30 years if you work for our state, then I should tell everyone I'm retired!! I almost peed my pants! :D

Cindi, if you don't mind telling, do you know the excuse for the ALJ changing your onset date? You're clearly not old enough for the Grid Rules to be a factor. Has it been 4 years since you've worked at all?

I concur that your monthly benefit is more important, but it is unfortunate that you won't be receiving any backpay. The bigger objection is that you'll have to wait for Medicare, which I'm sure you could have found a use for. :(

Some of your expenses also decrease by not working--smaller gas bills, clothing budget, lunches out, etc.

My lawyer and I decided not to ask for fear that we would have to have a hearing...I have worked with the autism community for 25 years and I am a certified Autism Mentor...with all my training and certifications my lawyer thought that a judge would say that I could work at a desk job. We both knew that this wasn't possible because of all my wonderful symptoms keep me awake all night, when I sit or stand for too long my legs go numb, spasm,swell, and generally hurt ALL the time, so we left well enough alone. I really can't complain since I am getting almost as much as I did my last year of working....Our family went from being right above the poverty level to middle class in a matter of hours!! LOL

Oh, I forgot to mention that along with RSD, I was born with Cerebral Palsy. I really do not care about the Grid Rules, I'm just happy that a deposit was made into my bank account and that I am a contributor to my family :)

So, no backpay, no payment for the attorney, correct? Nice to see he/she was more concerned about you then his/her compensation.

The change of onset date should be explained in your award letter. It should say your decision was Partially Favorable. Unless you agreed to a change of onset at the hearing in exchange for an on the record approval--then some judges will write the decision as Fully Favorable. I get you might not care about the details, but this kind of info can be helpful for others down the road. ;)

It's nice to have income just in time for the holidays, huh? I remember my son desperately wanted a telescope and when I got backpay from my first application I was so happy to finally get it for him. By that point, he had moved on from his astronomy phase... :( It's easy to go without yourself, but
the same can't be said in relationship to our kids.

I am still doing the happy dance for you!!! My advice-take some much needed and deserved time for yourself and take a vacation from the SSDI details! Find some joy and go for it!!!!!!

I didn't get to the hearing phase, I saw the OT/Internist and got the letter a week later...I do have to pay my lawyer a very small fee for sending letters and such, but she is new in the disability biz, so she was just happy that I got it because my husband and I are very popular in our small town and have huge families that will spread the word for her in our tri-state area...yes, it is great to have the income right before Christmas...just not too long ago I can remember being at the Family Dollar store grocery shopping and looking at the cute new clothes and thinking "I wish we had the extra $8 to buy that cute top".....my little boy never asks for anything , so he's going to be quite surprised when he opens his new pc tablet Christmas morning!!!:)