Hey --

I've been dilligently avoiding, obsessively denying, the idea of disability.

Probably why I put off for a long time seeing the pyschologist at my pain doctor's office. In our first meeting she asked, "Why aren't you on disability?" It was a pretty good question.

After a few bad turns here recently, I have had to slowly, painfully, come to accept the idea. Kind of like denying to yourself, "no, no, my girlfriend isn't sleeping with my best friend; that's impossible" kind of thing. But then of course she is.

So now I'm doing all my necessary homework, from which I've become more depressed, but amid the awfulness, I find I guess I am lucky to live in one of the states that has at least something that is quicker then the hellish indignity of waiting on Social Security.

Here in California there seems to be the pretty immediate disability option.

I would love if anyone who has received disability from the state of California could, as I've literally just started trying to comprehend the process, relay their experiences.

Thanks.

-- Dennis

Since you are in California there is a really great group called Disability Secrets that will help anyone who is going after disability. SSDI is a gov't program so you can get the same service in every state, just some states it seems to go through more easily. The link for Disability Secrets (which I got off an RSD site) is: www.disabilitysecrets.com These people are great and you don't have to pay anything until you win the case.

Good luck!
Cindi

Hey Dennis!

It is sooo hard to come to the realization that we are disabled. I almost waited to long, and almost missed out on the SSDI credits needed to qualify for it.

I think the one you are referring to is SDI state disability insurance. That one is good for only one year, and all you need is your doctor to fill out a form for you. Once the doc sends it in you should be hearing from them fairly quickly.

It is good to get SDI going, and then get the SSI/SSDI application in also. Just remember that when you get approved for the SSI/SSDI, they will pay the state of california back a percentage from your award. Typically this will come out of any back pay that you may get, that is if your disability onset date falls in, or before you get the SDI. If the SSI/SSDI onset date falls after you have run out of SDI funds, then you wont be required to pay anything back.

That should be about as clear as mud LOL!

Good luck bro!!

i always tell anyone considering dissability(ssi) to get a lawyer. the law limits the lawyer to $5500 in all 50 states and that is max, it could be cheaper. if you get denied for something stupid in the paperwork, you have to wait 24 months on the appeal because the wait list is so long now. can you manage with no money for 24 months and then 6 more months to get judge in front of you? if not consider the attourney.

mike

Alaska Mike
I just received notice from my attorney a month before my hearing that The SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION passed a law in June stating the lawyer can charge 25% now instead of the 15% document I signed.

Go figure...is this a politcal act of increasing attorney fees? As if attoeneys need it more than we, the patient needs the monthly allowable measly pentance we have paid into ALL these years yet other abroad can receive SS with no deposits into the SSA. How messed up is the system?

25% is correct but they still cannot go over $5300+costs. costs are usually less than $200.

Mike


When a Social Security disability case is won, a Claimant typically receives a regular monthly benefit.

In most cases, though, a Claimant will also receive a certain amount in past-due benefits, or a back payment. This backpayment is usually due to how long the case has taken.

Very often, in fact, a claimant who has been approved and awarded benefits will have spent up to three years or more in the application-appeal process.

And claimants who have applied multiple times may have endured far greater amounts of time in the ssa system attempting to get benefits approved.

How much can an attorney or non attorney representative charge?

As opposed to other areas where individuals may have their interests professionally represented, those who represent social security disability and ssi claims have caps on what they may charge.

An Attorney or Representative for a disability case is allowed to receive 25% of a Claimant's past due benefits. So, if a Claimant recieves a backpayment of $10,000.00, a representative will receive $2,500.00 as the fee.

The maximum fee amount an attorney or representative can receive, however, regardless of how much the Claimant receives in past due benefits, is $5,300.00.

THANK YOU for clarifying. I shall bow down & praise you.

However, I just remembered from years back the att said SS will not go back more than 2 years even though I have been P&S 8 years.

My atty. told me NOT to bother filing for SSDI, because in the state of OK, one almost has to be in a comma to get approved. I filed on my own behalf, and 10 weeks later I was approved...the first try. My atty. (WC), was shocked..and he did NOT get any of the $$$ of my applying on my own. I received a backpay ck. 2 weeks after receiving my approval letter, and my monthly SSDI ck comes like clockwork. I am approved for 3 years before having to be reviewed. I was approved on CRPS/Chronic Pain and Major Depression/Anxiety Disorder due to a generalized medical condition.

I had almost 2 yrs of medical records, letters from all the doctors, and the fact that after 10 months with no employment, I attempted to go back to work under sedentary conditions. That lasted 2 months, and I had to resign as I could not take my daily meds and do the job..the pain was horrible, and I couldn't focus..also, sedentary doesn't really mean sedentary..as I worked for an organization that I was the public relations liaison for individuals with disabilities. I found out that even organizations that are to assist disabled individuals, does not mean they follow sedentary work restrictions for their employees.

SSDI wants to know one thing..can you work? Be honest and fill the forms out with great care. Terminology matters. I started online with the app..found it too time consuming and stressful, which set me off on a pain flare. I made an appt. to fill out form with SSDI rep at our local office. Bring all your medical records, and be prepared to be interviewed for at least one hour. There will be other packets of papers to fill out and sign. Return them promptly.

Winning SSDI, on my own, gave me such energy/hope in my heart and Spirit. My atty. will not be telling his clients not to waste their time with it anymore...

Granted, the amt. I receive is about 1/3 of what I use to make on my net monthly salary..but, something coming in is better then nothing coming in. I did not qualify for SSI as hubby made too much money.

I feel very blessed to receive SSDI. I hope this helps you.

Dew

When The Presidnet came into office I so remember a speech saying he passed a law to increase staff for the back log on SSDI. What happened?

Hi Dennis,

I was on SDI for the 1 year. Depending on your income when you worked, I remember it paying around $3000 or $3200 a month max, non-taxable. SSDI is a federal program that Iv'e heard it is best to apply on-line for an appointment, then go to the office your told to with paperwork already filled out. Who knows after that?