Thanks Janke
 

That is a great link. It even answered a question I've had about my minimal return to work - 10-12 hours a week, as I can handle it - working from my home.

I had actually downloaded and converted this manual to pdf when I was preparing my application, but never thought to consult it when I had questions about my return to work. Thanks for reminding me.

If I read it correctly, it doesn't look like FTB has anything to worry about.

You can have an unsuccessful work attempt after entitlement when you try to return to work, but you still have to be concerned with using up trial work months. If you seriously want to and think that you can return to being self-supporting at some point (and there are medical conditions that improve with time), you should get the Red Book of Work Incentives and read it cover to cover. Twice.

FTB if I were you I would go to the local Social Security Office with all your paper work. Make sure the numbers match from what you received from Hartford disability, and what you got from unemployment. Social Security sometimes seems really unsympathetic to the sick. I don't think it's fair that you end up with nothing. Are you saying you have to go to the Mayo Clinic? This seems like such a mess, your attorney should have had all this straightend out. How much did he/she collect?

Thanks Janke. That is a great idea. I even have a copy already. Just another thing I need to be reminded I know...

...and one of the reasons I doubt I will ever be self-supporting again. My current employment is really just an altruistic gesture on my former employer's part. It is averaging between $600-650/month, so I think I will rarely trip the $720 cap for the trial work period.

I have already reported to SSA, completed the SSA 821, and my employer has had a phone interview with SSA. I received a letter that they find me still disabled, and I will have a reevaluation in another year.

Sounds like you are a good example of someone getting the benefits of the work incentives and SSA recognizes that you did not have medical improvment.

How long to electronic transfer back pay ?
 

Well looks like I'm gonna be done with my ssdi case now they said that the money was sent 5/27 I checked my bank and it's still not there is this normal does it take a day or so to show up in your acct ? Thanks for your help

Attorney Fees Changed
 

The amount attornies can charge up to (IMHO) up tp $6,000. It's a recent change. It's set by federal law that it can only come from back pay. Your contract with B & B should clearly state that. So if you are not getting back pay then B & B doesn't get paid.
It is very possible that you won your benefits in three months but there is a waiting period of 6 months.
From the SSA Planner:
"If your application is approved, your first Social Security benefit will be paid for the sixth full month after the date we find that your disability began.

For example, if your disability began on June 15, 2008, your first benefit would be paid for the month of December 2008, the sixth full month of disability.

Social Security benefits are paid in the month following the month for which they're due. This means that the benefit due for December would be paid to you in January 2009, and so on. "
Maybe that will help explain the date discrepancy.
Trudi

Attorney's new fees
 

Yes, there has been a change to the law. The limits is now $6,000 whereas it used to be $5,500 and before that $5,000. Your attorney's compensation is what is the contract you signed. They can request even more if they feel extradordinary efforts were required win your case. I have yet to check out if calimant's consent to additinal fees is required or simplied approved by the judge.
Trudi