I am researching ssdi and am completely confused, overwhelmed, and a little scared! I would be applying for mental disorder and it seems that there are a lot of gray areas for me. Is there someone who may offer advice on some of the following problems that I believe may arise??

• I have been unable to maintain full time hours for more then six months at a time
• I am 21 years old
• I am working four hours a day and would see it as a huge step backward should I have to leave this job that I have finally found where I am able to simply "show up"
• I have been clinically diagnosed with this condition since 2003, since that time I have been prescribed MANY medications with varying side effects that I was unable to handle. I found a regimen of four different high dose medications that I was able to handle, but six months ago I refused to take them anymore. I am stable but unable to function like a "normal" person, though as I stated above I have never been able to work/go to school full time for any long periods since 2003.
• I have had many doctors, been hospitalized (not overnight or inpatient) been a part of out patient intensive care programs, and countless other healthcare related situations that it would be near to impossible to remember specific dates and names and places
There may be more questions but these are the most troubling for me. I will most likely seek a lawyer but I would like to get some advice beforehand so I have an idea of what to expect. Any help or opinion would greatly appreciated!!!
Thanks!

Hi there,
I am not sure about getting approved solely due to psych issues so I'm sure someone else might be able to help you more with that piece. I will tell you that I waited for over 2 years and got denied by a judge because I am working some, 4 hour shifts, 4 days a week, which leaves me below what they consider "SGA" as far as gainful but my judge is saying it was substantial. Not sure about your job but I know with mine, it is out of my home and a very sheltered environment. Your young age is another thing I think might make it a little more difficult but who am I to say. My advice would be to get all your ducts in a row before heading into the process, as it can be a long one. I'd call a lawyer and get their input. Before I applied, I called my lawyer's office and they had an intake person who took at the info and then they got back to me about whether they would take my case.
Thinking of you as you start the process.

No any advice I can get is helpful! Thank you!

You said you were going to list problems that may arise. What you have listed are symptoms of your disabling condition. If you didn't have these symptoms, then you would not be filing a disability claim. The only problem I see is that you say you can't remember every treating source. If you don't list the source name and address and at least an approximate date, then that information will be in your memory but it won't be in your disability claim file. And no one knows your medical history better than yourself, except, perhaps, your parents or caregivers. So you should do what you can to include the names, addresses and approximate dates of treatment.

You can start the disability report online at socialsecurity.gov and complete it a little at a time, if you save it and the re-entry number. You can work on it for an hour today, an hour tomorrow, an hour the next day, etc. However, until you submit it to SSA, you don't have a filing date and the filing date in combination with date of onset of disability determines the first date you can be paid.

If you have never held a job for more than six months and have lost each job due to your illness, and are working now, and allege you became disabled in 2003, you are also going to need to complete a Work Activity Report, but your local office can help you with that after you submit the disability report. You will again need the approximate month/year that each job started and stopped. You need to keep all your paystubs from now on. Don't throw them away.

Who is paying you for 4 hours of work when you simply 'show up'? A family member? You have a job with zero duties?

At your age, you do not need five years of work in the previous ten for SSDI, but you do need to show that you have worked and earned six quarters. Again, your local office should have your earnings posted for 2010 and earlier based on your W-2's. If you worked in 2011, you need to have your last pay stub.

You would probably also file an SSI claim and there is no retroactivity before month of filing. No matter how long you have been disabled. So, if you don't get this done before the end of November (23 days), you will have lost November as a filing month which is a loss of potential income. You also need to be able to establish that you have limited income and resources, so you will be asked many questions about it.

Get busy. Be honest. Don't exaggerate, don't minimize. Get a friend or family member to help you remember and to help you fill out forms when you get overwhelmed. Work on it every day until it is as complete as you can make it. SSA will not find information that you don't provide. Even with substantial treating notes, you may have a consultative exam paid for by SSA to fill in the gaps. That is normal.

Will you be approved? 2/3 are denied on the initial application; 1/3 are approved. Which one will you be? Don't know. But you won't even be considered if you don't apply. Waiting can cost you money.

To qualify for benefits, you must first have worked in jobs covered by Social Security. Then you must have a medical condition that meets Social Security's definition of disability. In general, we pay monthly cash benefits to people who are unable to work for a year or more because of a disability.
http://www.ssa.gov/disability/


Strongly suggest that you click on the "sticky" Don't start your claim unprepared!!! at the top of this forum area.




GOOD LUCK! You're going to need it.

hi jess,after reading your post i question if you have enough work credits to qualify for ssdi benefits.if all you have been able to work is 6 month's at a time you might not qualify for benefits..if you do have enough work credits then the road ahead of you to obtaining benefits might be a bit easier.however,it's still a daunting task especially for someone as young as you.as people would tell you on this forum it could take many years of denials and appeals before you are approved for ssdi benefits if you win..however,if your going to apply for ssdi benefits your going to need all of your doctors reports,how often you are treated,and any meds you are takeing.as migrain has already mentioned,good luck your going to need it...

Are your docs supportive of your disability application?

i only had one that wasnt .it was him that cause all the headaches for me.it took the help of a "FED"judge to get his "rear"in gear to help me

Everything that has been said to you is true. Keep track of everything you can think of. I would also suggest you get legal help with an assistant with an attorney. It is a long road but it can be done. I wish for you all the best with your case. ginnie

Your work history since 2003 is your strongest asset. The 2011 application doesn't make it easy for people to explain their disabillity. Use a separate sheet to document your work history. If you got prescriptions from 1 -2 places ask them to print out a prescription history and include that as well. See a psychiatrist ASAP and explain your history and ask them to support you in a disability claim. Continue to see them until you are approved. There are a number of supplemental forms that you and your doctor can submit to document your inability to function and hold down a permanent full time job. The Adult Function Report is a supplemental form you can complete. It's involved but really worth the effort to write thorough answers. Your psychiatrist can complete two supplemental form called Paychiatric Review Technique and Mental Residual Functional Capacity Assessment. They can be found at http://www.ssdi-help.com/ssaforms/ssa-forms.htm. Review both of these to get an idea of waht the SSA is looking for. Best of luck.
Trudi