Go to a senetor take your papers in to them you will get it. My husband did in 3 months time after 4 turn downs and a year and half later. Also see your doctor make sure they write down all restrictions in a letter and make sure they spacifically say that you can not work at all. It will help. Good Luck.

Maybe everyone should bypass the Social Security office and just go to an elected official...

An elected official can assist in moving a case along when it has gotten stuck. The original poster in this case has not had a decision yet and was speculating about what might happen in the future. I doubt the senator has a better crystal ball than any of us.

An elected official cannot and SHOULD not be able to make a decision that any of his/her constituents should be paid government assistance. What criteria would this senator apply? Should they approve anyone who walks in the door? Should they approve only people who voted for them or said they voted for them? Getting SSA benefits is not a perk that an elected official can provide to people in his district.

Anyway, SSA is a federal program. Makes more sense to talk to a federal representative like one of your two Senators or your Congressman.

You're correct Janke. I had contacted my congressman on behalf of my wife who is very ill in order to speed up the SSDI process if possible. What I was told is they can do what's called a "Congressional Inquiry" What this is- is your congressperson and or staff will inquire on the status of an ongoing SS disability case of a constituent. This can red flag the case if it is hung up somewhere in never never land but it is not supposed to move the case in front of others unless it was hung up for no good reason. It can help to move the case if stalled. This is my understanding.

Fortunately, my SSDI application went through the first time. I do feel a stigma associated with being on it because my condition is mental and not visible to outsiders. If I had a physical disability that was obvious to others, I don't think I would feel this way. I am thankful for the SSDI coverage, just stating my feelings. Good luck to those of you that are still in the application process or the appeal process.