To flip the coin a bit..........

I was very fortunate from most of the posters who post here when I applied for SSDI back in 2002.

I had enough years at my job to fully retire, collect a pension and UE too boot!

Prior to applying, I went to my local library & researched SSDI & SS attorney fees in my state. Therefore, I knew before hand the backlog length in my state (4-5 yrs) and I could do all the paperwork filing myself. Knew if necessary I could hire an attorney at the ALJ level if need be (which I ended up doing).
I guess you could say, I was fully prepared of what to expect when I applied for SSDI. The only surprise for me was that I received a fully favorable decision based on the paperwork that I submitted from all my treating physicians with no help from any attorney. SS did not pay him the $5000+ as I did all the work. The only thing my attorney did, was show up at the ALJ hearing which I paid him OOP ($250).

I really feel for all the people here who are not as fortunate as I was during their time of waiting. Trying to collect SSI & SSDI can be really financial draining for a lot of folks.

Hello, I vented the other day. You may know about this, I do not. I applied for and received medicade since last april 10. This has now been taken away starting this Jan. The exact sentance stated "You are not eligible for dcf Medicaid because ssa found you to be eligible for ssi medicaid." There was no explaination that I could understand nor do I know all processing. I am lost. I was dumped on the phone 3 times after a wait of 40 minutes each. I wrote back asking for my caseworker to call me RIGHT away. No answer, so I don't know whats happening. I feel sick in my stomach, as it has been such an effort up until this point. I thought my work was over and I could heal from my last surgery. I am fed up and tired. Help please people, legal aid,so I can rest. I need response so I can sleep. love to all and Yes I God in my heart as so many of your odginnie

I literally left work on Xmas eve in 09 knowing I wasent coming back, my neuropathy had gotten to the point that I was dangerous to myself and my co-workers, I was a electrician, I did talk to my employer about trying something different but was pretty much told I was a electrician and that was that, I was not upset about it becasue I knew my body was giving out

I applied for SSDI, had all the functional papers sent to my doctors, called them to make sure they were filled out, and new testing I had done I faxed it to my caseworker, literally flooded her with it, five months later I got the award letter, am I glad I go it?, yes I am, but I wish I were still able to work instead of spending my days sitting at home not being able to drive and being in pain, but for all those still trying,,stay the course, keep trying,

It sounds like they put you on SSI Social Security Income Medicaid and took you off DCF Department of Children and Families medicaid. Did you get a card in the mail? I'm not to familiar with how SSI medicaid works but they should pay for most of your medical bills. Especially your surgeries. I think you can submit past bills I'm not sure how far back. Do you feel good enough to go into your local office? If you do I would ask for an appointment take all your bills and letters you have received and get them to explain it all to you. If they won't pay for certain medications you can call the medicaid pharmacy and see what they will pay for. If anyone is familiar with medicaid could you please join in and help ginnie. I know you're going through a lot, it sounds like you're going in the right direction. Keep us informed and we will continue to try and help.

I did put in a new squack today, thank you for replying to me directly in your post. I Did indeed go to both offices in person and waited in long lines, and neithor agency would pull my information up on their PC, to find out was going on in my case. Each agency sent me to the other agency, so I am driving repetedly back and for between SS office and medicaid office. The both of them refused me help. So I got and got my former attorney to help me. He was the good soul who helped me to get before a judge. My families trust confused all three acencies. I cannot tell you how many copies I have made of this document that they cannot keep track of. Evidently neithor agency talks to the other. I am also having to go to court over this same trust with my family. I do not receive enough in benefits to keep a paid for home. This home is in trust to me, only while I live in it. It is a long icky story. I could not pay my taxes, flat out. My son had to and they took my food stamps away. I had less money so they took my food away. What is going on? Ginnie

hi gennie,sorry i dont have any advice but just to let you know that someone here is listening.as you have read from my post and how you responed to my, you to know what and how my situation is very similar to yours.just met a lady in my church who asked for our prayers.when she began to tell her story it was what we all are going thru .its her knee she having problem with but all the red tape she going thru and being denied this and that .she worried about her finances.now checks or money coming in.how many of us are out there who are hurting and have no one to turn to who can help us.....all i have is "the good lord" my faith and the good people here.like "Gennie",Rlj1959,and of course "LegalMania"

Hi legal mania, I had to go back to my attorney to figure this out. When I ran out of money in 09, that made me approved for medicaid through DCF. They change this to SSID this Jan. OK, the problem is I was abiding by the rules of dissability. I was not allowed to work, or earn income above a certain amount, all monies to be reported. All change to be reported, and I was not allowed over $1,000.00 at any time in an account or in my possession. OK so when tax time came around I did not have $2,700.00. I was not allowed to have that much in the first place, and they lowered my food stamps because I had my son pay for my taxes. If nobody paid the taxes, I will loose my home in just three years. I lost my food because my son paid it. I am going nuts with this and I am sure in a short time dealing with this I will become a mental case too. Ha Ha Ha...I will be OK, BP has been lowered, and my doctor is on top of my situation, my case, and the situation my family has put me in. I am in good hands and I want to live, so no stroke or heart attack for me. I didn't loose 65lbs, just to drop...ginnie

65 lbs way to go. I was trying to do some research for you but my roommate is distracting me. I think I read you can have $1600 in your bank account. Did SS call your attorney? I'm going nuts also with the rules, it seems they contradict each other. I think the agency sits around drinking wine and making up rules. So I guess if you have the money for your taxes next year you'll have to keep it under your mattress. Glad to hear the BP is down. Take care we like you around.

Hi and I got your post through the e-mail, got lost again on which post. I understand about you wanting to put your faith in your doctors, that they know best for you. I don't know about that sometimes. Each doctor approachs problems differently. I still would run for the hills and check to see what other solutions may present with another opinion. I have been through alot and delt with all those needles like we all do. I still turned down this test. God bless you don, I will pray for you. ginnie

"Ginnie" that little bit what you said just made my nightits not how much you say as to "whatYousaid" .now im getting another good night sleep