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!!!:)