NeuroTalk Support Groups - Don't start your claim unprepared!!!

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- Social Security Disability (https://www.neurotalk.org/social-security-disability/)

- - Don't start your claim unprepared!!! (https://www.neurotalk.org/social-security-disability/148967-dont-start-claim-unprepared.html)

I'm a Workman's Comp issue.....I called several Attorney's after I had not been "allowed" to work, 4 years..... Specifically SS Attorney's....For SSD....As I am not eligible for SSI because of the WC open claim......The first Attorney did give me a brief "free consultation" as working on a contingency basis....Then sent me a formal letter stating that if I did not hire her firm within 30 days, she would dismiss my file....Oh really, I said to self....Ultimatum>?....Not on my dime.....The second young lady was quite informative in the sense she offered much information the first did not volunteer to include letting me know that the SS Department would make an over the phone appointment with me and help me fill out that stack of paperwork...They ask you the questions and you answer them....They are filling out that paperwork physically, not you......And I quote, "It's their job to help you"......Which they did.....That way if something is left out...It's not totally on you as they must document every step.....The second Attorney also sent me 4 legal pages of information to include not settling with Workman's Comp by outright buy off...To continue with bi-weekly payments as what is being done to present.....That way one does not have to be totally destitute to be eligible for SSD and there won't be many up and down fluctuations of pay outs which can really mess with a life of keeping up a lifestyle and paying bills.......She also let me know that that SS Department would have to get Workman's Comp's permission for me to get medicaid after a minimum of 1 year.....In order to get total medical assistance.....Which is documented in the professional sense by way of their documentation....Not your word against theirs....In that telephone appointment with SS Department they quoted a 2 month span of time I would hear back with a decision which was not fact....Also, when dealing with them by way of phone....If you call....Call the National line....not the local one....Document who you speak to and tell them you're concern should be taken as a complaint...Even if it's just a question....That way whom ever you're speaking with "must" document that call by noting down your complaint or concern....And that will match your notes....Taking notes of to whom you speak is key....Have a separate not pad just for dealing with them.......Then as stated in prior messages here....Only seek Council after a denial or rejection and you must know the denial date for an Attorney to proceed...You must get that....Do not wait longer than 40 days to call the SS Department about what your status is as you are only allowed a 60 day period of time to submit an appeal....It is not uncommon for a case to be denied and somehow that client is not notified....If you do not hear any word for a substantial time, question that....Document, document, document.....As any government agency...They hire humans and some of those humans could care less....You are not their mother and their there just to make a living.....Do not believe for one minute that they waste one second of their precious time giving a hoot about you....You and only you can be responsible for the results going in a productive and positive manner...Best wishes for all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickey (Post 764609)

I agree with everything you are saying. But, if a person does have receipts, it does help to prove their claim. It may not have any bearing on the final decision. But it is documented proof that you have taken steps to prove your claim. And yes I have heard of free clinics and hospital charity. There again, this is documented proof for your claim even though it comes from a free source. A medical document is just that, a medical document. It dose not matter where it came from or if you paid for it or didn't pay for it.

I am new to this site and there are some good suggestions. I have been suffering from severe back pain for years and i have had six back surgeries and four spinal chord implants. Every day is a strugle for me and it gets sickning. The medications i am taking are helping but what is it doing to my body in the long run? As far as Social security Disability they dont care about you one bit. The paper work over and over and over and the time it takes to get any response is just frustrating. It is just good to talk to somebody who understands what back problems are and how they affect you on a daily basis..:grouphug:

Quote:

Originally Posted by kallixenia (Post 764622)

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!

My worker said that I do not need to be sent to a doctor, but only to a psychiatrist. Is this a good sign? I have had 5 surgeries since March of 2011, 3 of them were brain surgeries 1 was a cervical spine surgery and the other was a shunt revision. She said that normally she would send me to a physician, but now I only have to see the psychiatrist. Thanks...Deana

Quote:

Originally Posted by deana (Post 848666)

Hello, Did she really say that? and Why?

I have read, heard, and seen that sometimes it is good to visit a Psychiatrist while getting approved for disability. The only downside is that it will follow you in your medical history for life.

health insurance
life insurance etc.

You will perhaps have more risk since you have been under the care of a psychiatrist.

"Thanks" for all the info!

Hi everyone, I'm new to this site, but it looks like a great one . The only problem is I'm in Canada, & wondering if anyone knows if theres much difference in your SSD & our Canada Pension Plan (Disiblity)??

I've been dealing with low back pain for almost 20 years now .I take narcodics every day & get nerve blocks (10years now) every 6 months. The combination of these help to keep the pain down to a level that alows me to live a fairly normal life .I work 6 days a week in a seasonal job, from May through Dec., I know my limits & try very hard not to over step them or I pay for it later.Last August I got up one morning & suddenly my left hand/.fingers were numb & tingly.

Thinking I must have laid on it the wrong way or something, I really didn't think much of it at the time, but when it didn't go away it kind of concerned me.Anyway ,almost a year later I still have the numb/tinglys, but it has gotten much worse & my right hand is the same now ,it has also gone up my arms.It's like having a tens machine on my hands 24/7.

After an MRI of my neck it shows I have no cartilage from C3-C6, which is causing this numbness,etc. in my hands.Recently I had to go to the ER for terrible pain in my right knee,after xrays it showed I also have no cartlige in the inside of my knees & I started getting numbness/tingling in my right foot.I has progressed to the toes & within the past week I can feel the tinglys starting in my left foot.

I am loaded with Arthritis throughout my body & its causing havoc with my body!!I'm taking so much medication, finding it hard to keep up with my job,mainly because of my hands not working right for me, & now having much difficulty with my walking, going up & down stairs.I have problems with balance, forever tripping myself up,falling up the stairs & really have to watch going down them.
This whole thing is starting to drive me crazy ,not to mention the pain & numbness,etc.I am waiting to see specialists,& surgeons but it seems to be taking forever!! I believe by the end of my season I'm not going to be able to work any longer ,if I make it that far, & was wondering if anyone knows if our CPPD is like your SSD??
I don't .know what I'll do financially, for the lenght of time your saying it can take you,until I find out if I'm excepted or not! I'm just a little more then a little scared!This has been a long one guys, Thanks for letting me vent,lol !!

I have just started the SSDI process. I was very glad to see this thread! Keep the hints coming. I have made a file and am keeping copies of everything! I assumed the SSDI operates alot like the IRS. You gotta keep copies of everything! LOL

Quote:

Originally Posted by motorcycle diva (Post 901861)

I have just started the SSDI process. I was very glad to see this thread! Keep the hints coming. I have made a file and am keeping copies of everything! I assumed the SSDI operates alot like the IRS. You gotta keep copies of everything! LOL

Exactly!!!! And sometimes, you fall through the cracks. The only way you can crawl out of those cracks are w/copies of your medical records.

LOVE YOUR SCREEN NAME. :D

You must be prepared

I almost wrote a book. About my disability . But who knew how disable I really am. I won my claim quickly. Yes I did find a SSI attorney.

Get familiar with the SS Blue book. Read all of it. It's helpful.

http://www.ssa.gov/disability/profes...ltListings.htm

I just recently filed for Disability in Georgia. I filled out all of the paperwork online, filling out everything they needed to know. The only thing that they need they said is my W2 for last year. I was straight to the point on what my medical conditions were, the treatments I have already been through, the medicine I was on, my work history and so forth.

My question is will they call my doctors to verify everything I've said? My nurse told me that they would do that.