[Shellback]

Hello folks, I have been on SSDI for almost a year now and I have been feeling better lately now that I am away from the stressors that made my symptoms of Bipolar, depression and a variety of other issues flare up and make my life unbearable. I still have bad days and sometimes bad weeks or even months. My question is, should I be reporting this to SSA? Or is this just something that is expected to happen after you have been on SSDI for a while?

[finz]

I don't think you have to (or should) report anything until you feel well enough to attempt to go back to work with the "Ticket to Work."

If you can't reasonably schedule xxx hours per week to work, you are still disabled. You don't have to notify them about minor changes. Most of us have good days and bad days and that's okay. A significant improvement to where you felt confident about working for a few hours each day several days a week would warrent reporting.

I understand they frequently do reviews at the 3 or 7 year mark, but even waive those for older SSDI recipients.

[Samm]

In my case, the disabilities are physical, neuropathy and advanced arthritis. During the last several months of working, my conditions were deteriorating rapidly. Since I've stopped working the last 12 months, they have stopped progressing, but are not improving.

There is a big difference between the two. Because the conditions or symptoms are not as prominent, does not neccessarily mean you have improved.

They schedule a CDR (continuing Disability Review) based on how likely it is your condition will improve. I would wait until they do the review and deal with it then

[Rickey]

I wouldn't tell them nothing. If someday your doctor says you are able to work again, then maybe say something if you want. Otherwise, NO, NO, NO.

[Samm]

Originally Posted by Rickey

I wouldn't tell them nothing. If someday your doctor says you are able to work again, then maybe say something if you want. Otherwise, NO, NO, NO.

I agree Ricky. My case was a little different. I drove truck for 35 years and developed neuropathy in both feet due to diabetes. My Doc wouldn't pass my required Dept Of Transportation physical unless I saw a Neurologist. After 1/2 day testing, the Neuro Doc said I was unqualified to operate a commercial vehicle due to severe neuropathy and lack of reflexes.

When I 1st applied my caseworker said SSA takes it very serious when other federal agencies disqualify you from an existing job because of physical or mental conditions. Then added at age 56, no college, and lack of other skills that can be used for other types of work, my case was very strong.

I actually took a job working with disabled boys in a group home, after being disqualified from driving. So I did try to do something else. After a week, we agreed I did not have the stamina and control of balance to continue.

I included a copy of the denied DOT physical report with my medical questionnaire, and a letter from the boys home director, explaining why a mutual termination was agreed on.and SSA awarded it on 1st try.

Since there is really no possibly of improvement, at least not enough to ever drive professionally again, my Doc would likely never say I can return to work, at least to that line of work. Not to mention in that situation, he has to consider possible lawsuits if he approves me, and is wrong, and there's an accident, regardless of who is at fault.

The main thing with me, is my condition was deteriorating rapidly towards the end, while working . Since I've stop working, it hasn't gotten better and never will. But at least it has stopped progressing to any large degree

Then there is the severe arthritis in the back of the neck. It's not a constant pain, but the flare ups come on for no reason, no warning, at any time, and can last up to 5 days. At that point, I can't hardly get out of bed. Standing, sitting will be so painful it can literally drive you to tears.

[Shellback]

Originally Posted by finz

I don't think you have to (or should) report anything until you feel well enough to attempt to go back to work with the "Ticket to Work."

If you can't reasonably schedule xxx hours per week to work, you are still disabled. You don't have to notify them about minor changes. Most of us have good days and bad days and that's okay. A significant improvement to where you felt confident about working for a few hours each day several days a week would warrent reporting.

I understand they frequently do reviews at the 3 or 7 year mark, but even waive those for older SSDI recipients.

When I was awarded SSDI my approval letter stated my review would not be for at least 5 to 7 years. The letter my pdoc sent in to DDS stated that I am totally disabled and that he has no reason to believe that there would be any improvement in my condition. I spoke to a rep at SSA last friday and they told me that I need not contact them and that they would contact me if they have any questions. It almost sounds like SSA has written me off but since I am only 49 (will turn 50 in July) that I should probably expect some kind of review at some point.

[Babyboomer15]

I think that you are making a big mistake if you return to work. If your doctor(s) said you are completely disabled,then you are completely disabled. Find hobbies and interests that will take up most of your day. You gotta look at the big picture. If you go back to work ,you are risking losing everything should your impairments get worse. If your SS insurance runs out,that means no medicare (unless you pick it up on your own-not sure how that works)and no SSDI. Can you live on SSI? People here that are fighting to get SSDI ,gotta be shaking their heads reading this thread. It sounds like you are disabled but sounds like you don't like being on SSDI.

[Jomar]

Originally Posted by Shellback

Hello folks, I have been on SSDI for almost a year now and I have been feeling better lately now that I am away from the stressors that made my symptoms of Bipolar, depression and a variety of other issues flare up and make my life unbearable. I still have bad days and sometimes bad weeks or even months. My question is, should I be reporting this to SSA? Or is this just something that is expected to happen after you have been on SSDI for a while?

I think the advice given by others is good, just because you are feeling a bit better now that you are away from work & other stress, doesn't mean you would be able to work full time again or yet.

Possibly in the future when you have been feeling good & stable for a year or so, then a work trial might be something to think about.

But at this time I wouldn't contact anyone about SSA or SSDI as it may just confuse your whole situation..
If your treating Dr or Therapist says you are good & stable and have been for a certain amount of time, then that might be something too.
I don't know what amount of time might be a positive indicator though...

[Shellback]

Originally Posted by Babyboomer15

I think that you are making a big mistake if you return to work. If your doctor(s) said you are completely disabled,then you are completely disabled. Find hobbies and interests that will take up most of your day. You gotta look at the big picture. If you go back to work ,you are risking losing everything should your impairments get worse. If your SS insurance runs out,that means no medicare (unless you pick it up on your own-not sure how that works)and no SSDI. Can you live on SSI? People here that are that are fighting to get SSDI ,gotta be shaking their heads reading this thread. It sounds like you are disabled but sounds like you don't like being on SSDI.

I do not think I am ready to return to work, not by a long shot. SSDI has made it possible for me to improve my quality of living so that's not it either. I am paraniod and I worry sometimes if I am doing what I am supposed to do to make sure SSDI is not taken away from me. Maybe somewhere down the line I may try the return to work trial but than again when I have my relapses it reminds me that I am still sick and could not hold down a job for any length of time.

[ginnie]

According to the booklet, some changes should be reported. I did report my surgery, as they want you to report hospitalizations also. The underlying non- currable disease is still there, I just got my neck straighted out and fussed. Degeneration still is there, so I was not worried about reporting this. My doctor has a copy also. I don't think they would take your benefits away when the disease itself cannot be cured. ginnie