I was told on two occasions my appeal had received a favorable ruling by people at the national 800#. Guess what? They made a guess based on activity at the payment center for an earlier favorable decision for a closed period. The appeal was actually lost, as in the paperwork was misplaced, by my local office.

Even when an ALJ tells you that you have a favorable outcome, until you see it in writing, the stress is still there. Until your first check is deposited, the stress is there. Until all the back pay is sent, stress. When you realize, crap, how does one live on this exactly, stress... But, having someone inform you incorrectly about a decision that delays things a year while you're cluelessly expecting a deposit?

H Y S T E R I C S!

My cautionary tale is a sad example of why they're not supposed to tell you.

Best Wishes.