I am soooo upset and stressed. I went to the social security disability hearing office to check the status of my case because when I called yesterday the judge's clerk said he was actually reviewing my file as we spoke. I asked the person at the desk and they stated that the judge has made his decision and it is at "writing" and to wait 3 weeks to hear something. Huhhhh?????? I said can you tell me what the decision is...she said no she can't. Is this normal practice? I filed on 12/08 and this has been a grueling process...I know they must follow protocol...I just want to put my mind at peace now. sheesh..... uggghhhh!! I feel like screaming and losing it!!!!!!!!!

on aug 10th i went in for my.it was i guess the last part of the hearing.it was a physical along with all my prescription.after it was all done.they didnt say they would call me or for me to call back.So now what...See i to am like you

Please explain your comment before I reply. thanks.

I think Janke's point was that only an acceptance would 'put your mind at ease" Even then though, you'd be going crazy not knowing exactly when the benefits would start. If you heard it was a rejection, then your mind would not be 'at ease'.....and you's be waiting an indefinite period of time to find out why you were rejected before you could even start your appeal.

Many here do understand just how awful the wait is.

I am sorry they did not give you the decision. Is it pain they want to inflict on us? There doing a good job. I think it unfair, to put someone in that position to begin with. we work with a cold cold agency, that does not wish us on the rolls to begin with. there is no reason in my book why they could not have told you one way or the other. To sit in limbo is torture. I wish I could take that from you. I was lucky that the judge at the hearing told me I was excepted at the time of my hearing. I have since heard how rare this is. Hang in there. I will pray for you. I am so sorry they are putting you through this. ginnie

In most instances if not all, the clerks and workers themselves are not permitted to give out the decisions. Especially at the ALJ level, this has to be a mailed decision and it is not at a workers discretion to give you that decision whether they want to or not. The system is not set up to deny everyone. A large majority of claims get overturned at the ALJ level as they follow different guidelines than the adjudicators do at the initial and reconsideration levels. Any worker will tell you that at the initial and reconsideration level or from the SSA office. There are a vast majority of times that claims are denied and workers encouraged people to file appeals all the way to the ALJ because they have a different set of rules that will allow their claim. I wish you the best of luck with your decision.

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.