First, let me preface with this is only a possibility...

I applied for SSDI in November and was denied. I hired an attorney and filed for reconsideration. At this point, I haven't heard anything but I expect that to be expected.

My problem is that I am running on empty financially. While I am pleased to FINALLY be getting some medical care, I'm not seeing a ton of improvement (if at all). I am rather resolving to my mobility issues and trying to find ways to work around them. I had an appointment with vocation rehabilitation and am waiting to find out if I qualify (meaning- I am physically able to work) and if they can steer me to positions that will accommodate my physical concerns. Meanwhile, I responded to an ad for a case management position. I received a call from the recruiter this morning and get the feeling they will be accommodating. But I am scared. Scared that I can maybe be okay for a couple of days and then be toast for a few days, thus losing the job. And I'm not sure how any/all of that will affect my SSDI claim. Also, there's the just starting pool therapy thing...I would not be able to adhere to the allotted pool times, so I would not be able to complete therapy there and still need to be physically able to finish my nursing degree.

I'm feeling as though my excitement to be a productive member of society and be able to provide for myself has gotten ahead of me. Should I take the chance? Has anyone ventured back into the workforce with a new employer and made it work?

It's not unusual for an SSDI claim for RSD/CRPS to require going before an ALJ since it is not a Listed Impairment.

With your claim at the Reconsideration level, it could be 2 years before you even go before an ALJ.

If you think you might be able to manage working, then you might consider getting up, dressed, and out of the house for the amount of hours you expect to work outside of the home. --If you can work from home, try sitting at a desk for the same amount or even the couch...

Trying to work and not being able to manage it will not be held against you. So if you lose the job after a short trial, it shouldn't be a an issue. You are required to notify SS if you start working. You can, in theory, make under the SGA amount ($1090 per month) and still move forward with your SSDI claim.

Thank you for those suggestions! I think I have gotten so focused on being able to put my house in order, I didn't think of doing a 'mock job' so to speak.

It is a sit down position, so hopefully they can accommodate frequent stretches and the ability to keep my leg elevated if need be. The recruiter said they occasionally have weekend hours that are completed remotely from home. If they can do that for the weekends, maybe I can show them I am valuable enough to work remotely either full-time or at least half of the 40 hours.

I think a big hesitation for me is the inability to do therapy...in particular-pool therapy. Although this may be something I can do indefinitely and not need to get rehabbed enough to provide patient care.

My state does have reconsideration. This aspect of the SSDI stuff confuses the helloutta me. Does a request for reconsideration usually go to ALJ before any indication of approval/denial?

Meh. I guess I don't put too much into the SSDI because I would rather be doing what I have always been meant to do and I'm concentrating on getting rehabbed enough to do so.

Reconsideration has nothing to do with the ALJ. A new adjudicator will review your entire case file and decide if you qualify or not. Approvals are only 1/10 at Reconsideration. If you are denied at this level, than your attorney will request for you to have an ALJ hearing.

As a rule, it's better to determine if you're capable of working before applying for SSDI. It's best to have gone through enough medical care, including rehab, to determine that you are incapable of performing any job at the SGA level, because you won't be approved without meeting that standard. Undergoing something like a Functional Capacity Evaluation (which Voc Rehab will likely have a version of) will help determine how long you can sit, stand and walk for.

If you spend the vast majority of time bed ridden, it's probably unrealistic to think you can manage a job at this point. If you can manage going out to run errands a few hours a day, that would show some hope you can mange a pt job in an office. Maybe you aren't currently capable, but could be after pool therapy. Or maybe you will ultimately need to accept you're not capable of working regardless of what you want.

You might want to read through some of Catra's older posts on how she fought to keep her job.

It took several months and more than one referral to get my first appointment with voc rehab. I'm hoping when my letter comes, I will be given an appointment for more of an exam to determine what I can/cannot do.

I spend a significant amount of time sitting with my leg elevated (at least hip level) and struggle to do any 'real' housework. Showering is difficult most days. This job is probably way over what I can legitimately do but I feel like I am ready to try. At least I will have more of an attempt at something 'sit-down' that is not from home. Or maybe, like I said, they will consider utilizing the remote capabilities for me.

With all the PT I had (before & after surgery), I really thought I would be back to work sooner than the '12 months or longer'. Actually thought that until I no longer had any pain meds and no pain management MD after I relocated. It wasn't until then that I realized this could be a while. It was actually 14 months after my injury that I filed for SSDI. I'm in a different place with my rehab at this point as well. We are treating it differently because of the CRPS diagnosis. And it isn't going as well as I hoped. Maybe this sit-down job is too much. Maybe I can manage it for a while (indefinitely). Hopefully I can figure something out with therapy. I really would like to give the pool therapy a good go.

I have an in-person interview with the recruiter tomorrow. If I get the gold star from her, I will potentially have an interview with the company on Friday. I may be able to get in a few pool therapy sessions in before any start date. If my leg stays true to history following a therapy session, I will know being able to do more won't be an option any time soon.

Decisions, decisions and all of them made by my leg and not my head or my heart.

My interview with the recruiter went pretty well. I did struggle a bit during the interview with the freezing pain starting up my leg and was pretty uncomfortable from that time until bed. I was able to get to sleep though, so that's a bonus!

I received a call from VR. He is referring me to another agency. Not sure what that means, guess I will know more when I get the letter.

Of course, that phone call came right before a phone call from the job recruiter. I have an interview with the company directly this morning. If I am offered the position, I will have until the 15th or so to gauge how well I will tolerate it and to re-schedule some pool sessions.

Day by day. Moment by moment.