How long is the process generally? And has any one had success and had enough to love on? I do have a lawyer working on a settlement that would be very substantial, but that could take 1-3 years depending. I talked with my doctor and because of my miscarriage we think it has most likely spread internally......I just feel like crying from the pain, and am having a very hard time making through the day at work....

Songbird,

So sorry to hear about your miscarriage and for how you have been feeling.

As for SSDI, the process really seems to vary from person to person. Some breeze through and others get denied and have to use the appeals process to get what they have rightfully coming to them. I was approved on my initial application; it went relatively quickly. But you really need to know what you're doing and my personal opinion is that unless you are very obviously disabled, legal representation is a very good idea.

There is a special Neurotalk forum for Social Security Disability I'd start browsing through it; there will be a lot of helpful information in there. Good luck to you!

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum28.html

I am so sorry that you are going through so much all at once. Obviously, it would be difficult to say whether or not disability or SSDI would be enough for you to live on since cost of living is so individual but, I don't think it is very much so my guess is it would be hard to live on by itself. Do you have STD/LTD through your employer? You could apply with reduced hours then the STD/LTD would kick in to make up the difference - depending on the language of your plan. This would also give you the option of returning to full time should circumstances change.

It would benefit you greatly to discuss all this with your attorney since whatever you do between now and when you settle or go to trial could impact your case.

Wishing you the better days ahead!

I'm so sorry about your miscarriage. My heart goes out to you. I hope you start feeling better soon. As for the SSDI, my situation is similar to birchlakes. I was on temp disablitlity for 6 months then applied for SSDI and got it about three months later. I had a SSDI lawyer to help me decipher all the forms I had to fill out and the people at the social security office were also very nice and helpful. I am truly ill and I'm very grateful that I was awarded SSDI the first time I applied for it. I hope things work out for you too. My heartfelt thoughts are with you.

It definitely varies for everyone, that is for sure. I was denied short-term/long-term disability thru my employer's disability insurance carrier. I have just filed my second and final appeal. I applied for SSDI and was approved on the first try and within three months. I collected all of my medical records and supplied them to SSA, so I am sure that made it a little easier on them.

So sorry about your miscarriage and what you are going thru now.

Nanc

Because I worked out with weights for years, then abruptly got RSD. I was denied with just one look from the judge. So it took 5 years to get SSDI. The second time around into the court, the judge awarded the disability all the way back past when I applied, but to when I was actually disabled.

So it really is different from case to case. I hope that you just fly on through.

And for sure get an attorney

It is a good idea to get an attorney who specializes in disability. You should not have to pay anything upfront, they will take 25% out of any back pay (the money would would have received between the time you applied and the time you are approved) you receive once your disability claim would be approved. Good luck!

I thought you had to be completely off work for at least a year to even apply. How does it work with CRPS? How are you able to apply after only 6 months?

If your condition/illness/injury is thought to last more than 12 months then you are eligible to apply at anytime - that doesn't mean you will get approved, but is a condition of the application process.

You can apply anytime, including the first day that you are no longer working. You do not need to wait to apply. Your condition must be expected to last 12 months are longer. You do not need to "wait" 12 months to apply.