Several weeks ago I called the caseworker evaluating my SSDI application to check on the progress. She indicated that she was missing one recent report from my PCP, despite a written request. I was surprised since she had received about 600 pages of medical records. I offered to get the record myself and send it to her. She told me to call her when I had the report so she could give me a bar code to send it to her.

After I got the report I called and left messages for two weeks for her to please call me to provide me with the barcode. No response. When I called last week the reviewer answered the phone and stated that she had already made her decision, didn't need the report in question after all and that her decision had already been reviewed by an in house physician.

Of course she indicated that she was not permitted to tell me of the decision and additionally, my case could be selected for a "quality review."

I am also concerned about reports that quotas have now been established since so many folks are losing their jobs and filing for SSDI because they can't find work.

I am confused. Any feedback from those who have gone before me would be very much appreciated!

Thanks!

I'm assuming the caseworker is from SS? Is this your first attempt at acquiring SSDI? Do you have a lawyer?

Yes, it is my first attempt and I don't have a lawyer. The case worker is from SSDI. The decision was made very quickly. This surprised me because so many have waited much longer. Given my medical history, and the detailed records of numerous specialists I can't see how I would be denied. I don't know if the possibility of a quality review is not a good sign.

Thanks!

Very good luck to you if you are approved! But, if you're not approved don't fret because it usually happens this way. Denied twice and approved on the third time around is the normal but not etched in stone. If you are denied I'd hire a lawyer who is an expert dealing with SSDI cases, usually found easily in most areas of the country. Most of these lawyers handle nothing but SS cases. It sounds like you have your ducks in order as far as your medical records, very important and may be the reason you might get a positive judgement the first time around. If not, hand those records over to the lawyer. Good luck and keep us posted.

By the way, the payment amount to the lawyer is fixed by law and comes out of the SSDI settlement.

jim

Many thanks Jim. Do you know anything about why a case would go to "quality review?"