I am going to the SS office in a couple days to file for disability. I hope I have sufficient records and documentation. The stack is about 3 inches tall, covering several years. It shows steady decline and increasing problems.

I have noticed that some people say that they got approved once they got a state politician involved.

Since I have not been working, I have called to volunteer for a State Senator whom I really admire. Since I am just now applying, I know that this is not the time to get him involved, but by the time I would get my first denial, he should have met with me several times, and know me a little bit. He does understand the disease I have and commented on how tough life is with it, as he knows someone who has it. This is May, election is in November, so hopeful that if I need him to speak up for me, that it will be before election - in case he gets voted out!

I would like to know more about what type of politician helps - State Senator vs. US Senator for example. Just wondering how people got a politician involved, and when they got the person involved in the process - such as after first denial, right away, or at ALJ stage.

Thanks!

After appealing the initial denial, my file at SS was just sitting there waiting for a Judge to be assigned so I could be given a hearing date. After almost 2 years of waiting for a hearing date, I then contacted my US Senator. He called SS and requested to see my file. The next day I had a hearing date. Whether it was a coincidence or the phone call that got me a hearing date I will never know.

I was just reading about this anyway let me give you a little info here is what they call a disability starter kit:

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/disabi..._adult_eng.htm

Here are some links over to the left that may or may not help, some link lead to other links hope it's not to confusing.

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/org/

thanks legalmania.... I printed out all that info a couple months ago - it is part of what I used to get all my info together. No matter how I try, I am sure I will get there and not have something or another. Thanks anyway though!

I believe the point of asking a Congressman or Senator to get involved is to move the gears of the federal government along when you hit a logjam or a brick wall. They cannot get you a favorable decision nor should they be able to. Just remember that when you step to the front of the line, you have pushed another person back. The line isn't any shorter, just reshuffled.

Since Social Security is a federal program, it makes the most sense to speak with a federal representative.

I agree with Janke. I didn't contact my representatives until AFTER my first denial. I contacted state AND U.S representatives. The state because my case worker was in Nashville and that is our state capital. But the U.S. reps are the ones who were able to get weekly reports from SS.

I also got a lawyer AND took myself (on my own $$) for more evaluations not covered by insurance. I have NO IDEA what part worked -- or if it was a combination of all parts -- but, I am very, very thankful that I was approved very quickly on the second go-round.

Thanks to all who replied. I *assumed* that people did not get politicians involved until after their first denial.

I hope I did everything right....

If not, I already have a lawyer in mind for as soon as the denial comes.

Just hoping if I want to get a politician involved, that the one I hope to volunteer for will still be in office by that time!

Daylily, I be concerned about starting volunteer work as you are applying for SSDI. If you are able to volunteer regularly, will SSDI think you could work regularly ?

I completely understand that just because we may be able to 'pass for normal' for a few hours a few times a month, that does not mean our condition is not severely disabling, but who knows how the politician would view that, how he would report it to SSDI , or how SSDI would interpret it.

finz, point taken.

So far, all I have been asked to do is sit at a booth for about an hour while the politician is actually in a parade. When he returns to the booth, I can go.

Not like it will be a regular thing, or last long...

but I will keep your concern in mind.

I went and filed yesterday. I think it went well.

My fingers are crossed for you DL !