I was surprised that I was accepted after the first denial, but my LTD company hired a firm to advocate for SSD for me. It doesn't hurt to let your physicians know that you are applying, so they can be ready to advocate if necessary.

That said, I think my doctor listing my prognosis as "poor" went a long way in my fairly quick acceptance. I have to admit, seeing "prognosis: poor" in my medical records shook me up a bit. I guess with all the body parts I have had removed, and all the interactions, side-effects and restrictions I have on my diet, my prognosis for improving is, in fact, rather poor! If you will never improve, medically, make sure your doctor documents that clearly in your records.

BTW, I was accepted for Crohn's, complicated by having had my entire colon removed, and a less than good result with my j-pouch (recurring complications.) I didn't even have to list my growing neurological complaints, which at the time were diagnosed as just peripheral neuropathy.

I'm glad to hear you had an attorney and physician who knew what they were doing. Like I told someone else, I don't like to say congratulations to someone who has lost body parts and will be ill the rest of their life, but I'm glad the stress and emotion of dealing with SS is over for now. With body parts missing I think your doctor using the term "poor" would be an appropriate word. SS loves cases like yours it's obvious you are disabled, you save time and a lot of aggravation and paper work, within the system. Take care and enjoy what you can out of life. I sometimes watch the show Mystery Diagnosis and it takes several doctors sometimes up to 10 yrs to figure out what's wrong with someone. When they don't know, they say it's in the person's head. Instead of just saying I don't know let me find someone else. I'm temporarily helping people with foreclosures, that's another mess. I needed a break from the stress and emotion of disability and I'm not even disabled. Take care.

************************************************** **

Most disabled people haven't actually lost body parts.

Being disabled doesn't mean you are ill.

SSDIHelp,

Do you know if there is an online link to the new form ?

(I'm about googled out)

http://www.ssa.gov/online/

This is a very good thread idea.

If it stays on topic with tips & suggestions on preparing for & starting a claim - I'd like to sticky it for future members.

Please do Jo*mar. I don't know how.

Thanks Mz M !

I wanted to know what was on there if a new applicant asks questions. I completed an older form and that was years ago.

I underdstand they need all the background info, etc.....but I wish they asked the simple question........Why can't you do ANY job now ? I think that would cut through a lot of the bull and just get to the point quicker. Maybe then they could cut down on some of the backlog.

I think they could simplify the whole process. Ask that 1 question that the applicant fills out, then have the doctor(s) sign it with supporting evidence from their evaluations. Easy peasy.....and no waiting years for coverage.

A girl can dream......

That would be my suggestion for what people should write on that last blank page......a little essay on what prevents them from doing SGA and backing that up with why their symptoms are limiting and not just randomly listing symptoms.

This is a great thread!

I am a disability examiner, and if more people could read this thread it would make my work (and their claims, ultimately) so much less painless!

May I add my two cents, from the "other" side of the process?

Being detailed on the activities of daily living form is so, SO helpful to us. Be as detailed as possible. Please please PLEASE write as legibly as you can, in dark pen. Don't cram too much onto one little line - if you want to write more, you can write or type something out on more paper and enclose it with your form. In fact, I'd much rather you do that then try to read tiny cramped handwriting squeezed into one line.

I will be honest - I know the form is a pain to fill out, especially for those poor folks with carpal tunnel or tremors or those who have mental illness which impedes concentration. Please try your best. Have a friend or relative help. They can fill out the form for you if you can't write. Take breaks and just tackle a few questions a day if you need to. Call your examiner with questions if you have them. But please don't write just one word answers or leave whole pages blank. "What do you do from the time you get up until the time you go to bed?" "Nothing". That is what many people write. It might be true, but how does that help me or your claim? Do you have to stay on the couch because of pain? Do you try to read but lack concentration? Do you do chores sitting down (on the days you feel up to doing chores)? Be specific! TELL ME WHY YOU CAN'T WORK. Show me a day in your life. So many illnesses and impairments have multiple symptoms and limitations; which ones apply to you?

The work history form - you may receive a form which asks you to describe your past work. Be detailed. If you were a truck driver, for example, don't just write "truck driver" and leave it at that. Were you a long-haul driver? A delivery driver? What did you deliver? Did you have to load and unload the truck? Did you have to do any maintenance on the truck? How long did you do it for? We need details. Again, as above, if you need more paper, add it on. How I explain it to my claimants - "Pretend I am absolutely clueless and take me through your day at work as if I have no idea what your job title is".

Keep in touch with your examiner. Maybe call him or her once a week or two, to see how things are going and to see if there is any additional information he or she needs. Sometimes doctor's offices take a while to send us records, but if the claimant calls the records "mysteriously" show up within a day or so Be involved in your claim! One thing that can prolong a claim - not sending in the forms, not returning calls. If we call you, please call us back!

Keep us updated with phone number changes and address changes. Make sure we can get in touch with you if we have to.

One big, big thing that prolongs so many people's cases - make sure I know which doctors you are seeing. I do not know this unless you tell me. Don't just list the specialists you see - who is your family doctor? Have you ever been to the ER? Are you seeing someone new now that you weren't seeing when you first applied? Update me! I have no way of knowing unless you tell me. SO many people forget to list all the doctors they are seeing. I want to hear from your doctor! I'd rather not send you to an exam if I can help it. Your doctor knows you and knows your history! If your doctor wants to write me a letter to advocate for your disability, great! I want it!

I hope that some of these tips help you in your journeys. I wish you all the best of luck!