The BEAST! ! and ssdi
 

So went to look up if I would qualify for SSDI. No I wouldn't qualify. My husband makes too much money in the AF. At least I qualify through the VA in my own rights being a veteran myself. I am also thinking of wanting to start an awareness campaign for "THE BEAST". Yes that is how im going to call it for a little because I can't curse enough to get the appropriate feel of it. No one in my family or among my friends had even heard about this disease. Too many people stay quiet. Well since Paula Abdul came out and said she had it there might be more. Today is a new day. I WILL NOT let this rule my life ( will just have to wait till after little one is born to really start). I want this disease as well known as epilepsy is. Or better. This is not just for me but EVERYONE affected by it. Any have any ideas?

There in info about SSDI and RSD on the website rsdhope.org. I don't know it that includes VA insurance, but maybe it might have some helpful tips for you. I think an awareness campaign is a good idea. I would like to do that too, but I don't know how. I thought of printing out info about RSD and mailing them to people and drs offices might help. Or if it's allowed, putting them on cars. The website RSD hope has different groups too and bracelets for rsd. Well, if you can get something started I would like to help if that's ok.

Hey Allanira! Are you talking about SSI or SSDI? Social Security Disability benefits are not determined on income, Social Security Income is. I cannot get SSI because of my husband's income, but SSD is based on how much I have paid into it.

You would think that for as long as this BEAST has been around more people would be aware of it, but that's not the case. I have had it for over 22 years and most of my family doesn't understand it.

Huh I went on a calculator at ss to see if I qualified. I might have used the one for ssdi lol. Sorry that day like today is a bad day. I can't really concentrate when I hurt so bad.

I had the same situation as Nanc. I didn't qualify for SSI but did for SSDI. You may want to check into it when you feel better. Hope you're feeling better today. My stomach cramping and rsd flares were so bad last night. the pain went right down my legs and my lower back. I could barely walk. I feel better today and hope tonight is better for all of us. My fingers are stiff and swollen today from trying to type,so I'm going to read more than talk today. I'm very depressed today. I fell so sad to see all of you suffering. I am trying to be positive and keep the faith, but today I'm just going to stay in bed for most of the day and try not to cry. Bye for now.

Renee, so sorry you are having a tough time and feeling depressed today. I think we can all agree in that we all have those moments. It is tough to deal with, that's for sure. I have been struggling so much myself lately, my husband is the one that gets me thru. Do you have that support at home? My hands are affected too, often times I am lurking and reading more than typing and replying.

I am glad you feel better today, but hope the rest of the day and tomorrow is even better for you.

All the best,
Nanc
:hug:

Thanks for caring Nanc. My husband and son are wonderful support systems, but I don't want them to see how bad it is. I try to hide it because I want them to be happy and not worry about me. There's nothing they can do about it and I feel like enough of a burden as it is.
My husband tries to help me anyway he can. And when my son's home from college he does the same. I'll snap out of it. I've just had bad flares for a week straight now, and though I fianlly feel better physically, except for hands and wrists, it's taken a toll on me mentally. Thanks again and hope you have a good day too.

SSDI eligibility is based upon your work credits. Your husband's income would not be an issue. If you do not have enough work credits, than there is SSI, but your husband's income would make you ineligible.

Definitely go back and look, my husband makes a tidy salary. At least he did earlier this evening, not sure what is going on right now, with out gov't. But his salary had no barring on my SSdisability. It's based on your work history only and what you contributed to date when you were working. Makes me annoyed that I spent so much time working for non-profits, but happy at least that I started working as soon as I was old enough and kept it up.

The only hard part is jumping through the hoops and the time it takes. Just be persistent. I was denied twice, kept appealing, and fought to get a court hearing and once I stood up to the judge it seemed to happen quickly then. It took 3 years and was very frustrating, but you should file. I did it without an attorney too. After talking to several, it seemed like a waste of money. I never met anyone who hot through the system quicker with an attorney. If you really can not afford the stress, it might be something to consider, but an attorney takes a bite of the pie.

Good luck.
Sylvia:)

I did file for ssd. I am now waiting on 2 disability decisions. The va and ssd. I hope that both wake up and say ok we're going to give her disability. Shoot I cant walk more than 5 minutes without really hurting and thats pushing past the hurt and hitting the hole crapoli stage. I cant sit with knees flexed. So how am I going to work. I don't want to get an attorney. They smell like skunks to me. All they want is money money money. If I see a skunk I go the other way, same for attorneys. Plus im the one that worked my but off to pay my taxes and ss, not them. Why should I just hand them part of my money to look at a piece of paper or 2. Sorry low opinion of lawyers here.

The term SSD is confusing. It's best to use SSDI or SSI.

You can certainly effectively represent yourself, but it can become very complicated and can be overwhelming. It's not uncommon for vets to receive a 100% VA disability rating and be denied SSDI. There is also the option of choosing a non-attorney representative--they are often former SS employees. They will often help much earlier in the process and since they are only paid a25% of a person's backpay (with a max of 6k), it often doesn't amount to much for them (which is why attorneys generally insist you're far along in the process before taking clients on, so that you've racked up significant backpay.

I represented myself successfully but the process took much longer than if I had used either an attorney or a rep, and I had family support that allowed me that option. It's best to thoroughly educate yourself early on, because once you progress to the ALJ stage, the whole process slows down and your case can be stuck in limbo for months to years.

Hi Allanira! Glad you went ahead and applied for SSD. I completely agree wih you on the lawyer thing...ugh! I only found one that would help on my STD/LTD appeal, but it would cost me $4,000 up front...up front??? Umm, no thanks! I had a disability analyst that I know tell me not to get an attorney until it got to the hearing stage. The only thing they do is hold up the process and then take a portion of your money. They make it more difficult for Social Security to get thru your claim. I filed on my own and was approved the on the first try. No, the person I know never saw my claim, it was sent to another state because of the back-log so she had nothing to do with my claim being approved. I know it is rare to be approved on the first try and within 3 months, but it does happen and I am thankful.

Good luck!!
Nanc

I have been reading up and everything I've read said if an attorney asks for money RUN as fast as you can and as far lol. They are not allowed to ask for money because they do get paid from ss and the va which ever you are applying to. I am hoping I don't need to get one. If I were in an accident and needed my medical or auto bills paid then I would have to get one. I can also get free rep from military attorneys, or the va. Not going to get into an accident though lol. I've only been in 1 all my life. I am just going to take this 1 step at a time and appeal both if I need to till I get the disability I need to compensate for not being able to take care of my family like I need to. I can't work because I would be absent or leave early too much to be productive to an employer and the only jobs I can do are physical labor really. Thats standing and lifting things or doing things that HURT me worse. I don't like not working. I love doing physical jobs because it makes me think and use my muscles (what little I have lol). It also allows me to set my own pace. I hate sitting and it hurts after a while. I also am not very good at paperwork. It starts confusing me after a while so I hope they figure that out.

You should notify SS if the attorney was requesting money from you for either an SSDI or SSI claim. If it was for LTD, than that wouldn't be illegal.

He was requiring upfront pay for the STD/LTD appeal only. I filed for SSD on my own.

The thing is that there is no regulation on what fee they can charge on a STD/LTD insurance claims. Asking for the entire fee upfront doesn't give me any comfort in him doing a good job for me. I mean, he would have his fee paid already, how would I know he was really doing a good job for me??

I understand what you mean about not working. I will be 47 next week and have been working since I was 17...it is what I know. This not being able to do anything is the pits!!

I know you hate lawyers and the fee's are crazy high but.. if for $4K you were able to secure LTD until you were 65 then that $4K wouldn seem like pennies in comparision. I think the thing to consider is how confident the case is. You would need to ask about the strengths and pitfalls to your specific case during the consultation or thereafter. Have you maybe reached out to your Ombudsman to see if they recommend a particular attorney? You can also search case files against your particular LTD provider to see which attorney's successfully represented cases against them that way you might find one willing to do it pro-bono? The ACLU might also be willing to direct you to a reputable attorney. Maybe even reach out to someone on the NT thread regarding SSI & LTD etc., for any recommendations. Just some thoughts.. IDK if any will work but it seems it would be worth a shot.

Thanks Tessa. I spoke to so many attorneys, it is ridiculous! One guy would meet with me for a free consult, but didn't want my husband there or even in the waiting room...thin walls. Umm, no thanks! One guy I spoke to charged $2,000 to just look at my claim to see if I had a case. Then if he decided to take the case it would be 1/3 of the 6-month benefit...that would have been over $5,000. I went thru the referral process, one guy referred me to another guy, who referred me to another guy who referred me to the $4,000 guy. We met with him and he would only look at the denial letter and dr letters...he wouldn't look at anything else until the fee was paid. My husband asked him the odds of winning this type of case and he said "oh...50/50" those odds are not that good. He said the insurance companies are in the business to deny claims. We didn't feel good about it or taking the $4,000 gamble. If I had $4,000 to just throw away, I wouldn't worry about the appeal. My husband is furloughed again and I haven't been paid in 10 months. Thankfully SSD will start next week, hopefully, but there is no back pay with SSD for me.

I did start a thread a while back on STD/LTD appeals. The problem with attorneys is that the ones that handle SSD do not handle STD/LTD claims. STD/LTD requires knowledge of employment law and ERISA. Now I do not have much time left. They gave 180 days for the first appeal and only 60 days for this final appeal. I am gonna have to file it myself. But would like to have some good documents on RSD to send with my appeal.

I am so over all of this...

Well, after 4 months I just got notice that my SSD was denied. So, Allanira I'm kinda like you. In about 2 pages of Gov.t B.S. they're basically saying "there's "something" you can do.
I understand what you're saying. My disability is my hand and arm. 1. I'm not released to go back to work. 2. I've used up all FMLA, sick time and short term disability from my job (I'm still on leave of absense). 3. My broken wrist surgery was screwed up so I can only type using my middle finger on that hand and only for short spurts or the RSD Roars!
That's why my posts on here are limited and I have to catch up.
I cannot keep the pace on my current job. If I apply elswhere, should I tell them I'll need frequent breaks, At least 1 day a week off for Dr. appts.nerve blocks etc., I don't always focus well because I must take meds. I might yelp in pain unexpectedly at times?
Anyway, I'll be forced now to hire an attorney to appeal the decision. My son is an attorney but that's not his field of law. No offense take Allanira LOL :):hug:

I know you are and I feel terrible. I just PM'd some more info that my strengthen your appeal. It sucks but at least you are one of the lucky ones that got SSI right away.

Count your blessings one by one ;)
Tessa

I sure appreciate you sharing your wealth of knowledge on this subject! I'll have to find that thread. I'm sure you know about the RSDHope website - there may be some good documents there.

I'm sorry AZ-Di!!!! It's just not fair that people aren't more aware of how this can affect every single aspect of a persons life. You mentioned you are on STD do you also have LTD available when that runs out? If you do and you would like tips on how to keep that going - I would be happy to offer what seemed to have worked well for me. Most importantly even if you don't think you will be returning to your job keep up with staying in contact with them and providing them with continued work release/excuse letters from your treating doctors. Be sure to tell your doctors (all of them if you have more than one) each and every single symptom you have no matter what area of the body it is. Sometimes employers will accommodate much shorter hours especially with the new laws regarding ADA and FMLA. Even on STD/LTD you can still receive the benefits while working they recalculate them based on hours worked. I was able to work off/on between surgeries for 2-4 hours per day until my last surgery caused spread and it was no longer an option for me or for my employer. But for 2 years we worked around my absences and reduced hours while still collecting the STD/LTD. Basically on STD you can earn up to 40% of your wages before they would reduce your pay then when you go on LTD it changes to 60% for 2 years and then after that it changes again based on the language of the policy. SSDI/SSI would offset STD/LTD benefits as well depending on how much you would be entitled to but as long as you were approved for STD/LTD no matter what your income from other sources they would still have to pay a minimum of $100 per month until you are 65 or circumstances change that you are no longer disabled.

I know that was a mouth full.. sorry.

I hope for your sake you are able to secure LTD while fighting SS!!

Thanks Tessa. Did you send it to my email or PM here? I do not see anything from you :(