I had my phone conference today for SSI and SSDI and my case worker was very opitmistic that I will be getting my SSDI in Sept. This is my second time applying and my GP has FINALLY agreed to the fact that working my usual job is impossible since I had a camera full of pics and a journal that coincided with the situation, weather and emotion at the time of the pictures. I have NO insurance and the only way I can get a medical card is to get SSDI. I don't qualify for SSI, but my back SSDI is substantial so that is VERY good. The sad part is that I will be getting more from SS than what I made at my last job, but I am NOT complaining! Wish me luck and please pray that it goes through...love you all

Of course you're going to be approved for SSDI!!

Thanks Jim, I can always count on you to help me be optimistic!

Cindi...............stay confident. You will get approved.

The Social Security Administration is (finally) coming around to recognizing the seriousness of CRPS/RSD. But as always, you have to have your ducks in a row and have good representation.

I was approved with my initial application.

You're next!!

Birchlake, I have Senator Jay Rockefeller office working for me too. The only reason I didn't get it the first time was because the Doc that has been treating my Cerebral Palsy didn't send in my medical records. I fixed that since I my first denial. The lady I had my phone conference with said that the more medical records I could get sent in the better and I am pretty sure I have them all. I am lucky(if you can call it that) to have a dual diagnosis of CP and RSD/CRPS affecting the same body part....thanks for the encoragement!

That's very good news that you have a Rockefeller on your side. Our Congressman, Gerald Connally here in Virginia, worked hard on Suzy's case and also helped us keep our home in which we where two payments behind. We lost our insurance too and can sympathize strongly. We were sinking fast with these out of pocket costs. I'm a full time worker by the way, but we were saved and so will you. Very quickly after Suzy was approved last Nov. she was able to access medicare....very quickly.

My husband's SSDI wont let him access medicare for 2 years. So I am just wondering how you are able to access it so quickly?
I am new to SSDI (husbnad) and RSD (me).. so please forgive me if my question seems off base.

The whole process can be confusing. You are correct, your husband must wait 2 years. I personally see this as adding misery to those who suffer daily. In my wife's case it took her several years to acquire SSDI. Her retro pay reached back 3.5 years and would have gone farther if it hadn't been for her short term benefits from her old employer. So, my wife already reached her 2 year waiting period sometime ago when she was approved last Nov. So it sounds like your husband was approved for SSDI very quickly.

Date of medicare eligibility (through SSDI) is two years from the official date (month) of determined disability according to the Social Security Administration, not the date of when you are "approved" for SSDI.

For instance, my official date of disability is September 9th, 2009 so I will be eligible for Medicare in September, 2011.

It took us a bout a year after we applied to get approved, with one apeal. They determinied that he became disabled 01/11. I have no clue where that came from. However he tried to work, from home, after his surgery for about 6months. Therefore he has not worked since 02/10. So that is about a year of not working. I personally think he was disabled from the point of surgery, given his diagnosis.