Perhaps this is a semantics issue. I use the word entitled to mean that you have been found eligible to receive benefits. You have been denied.

If a person is denied SSDI benefits, that means they are not legally entitled to those benefits since the agency that has the responsibility of making those decisions has said so. Until you have an approval, you are not entitled to benefits. I do understand that you disagree with the decision for a variety of reasons, and that is why there is an appeal process.

In a criminal case, the burden of proving guilt is on the prosecution; the person charged with the crime just has to establish reasonable doubt. In SSDI, the burden of proving that you meet the criteria is on you. The Social Security Administration assumes you are NOT disabled until proven. It can't work the other way with SSA - SSA does not assume that everyone who applies is necessarily disabled and SSA has to prove otherwise. The criminal court assumes you are innocent until proven guilty.

Now I am confused about your statements about Medicare at age 65 and retirement benefits at age 62. If you don't have 40 quarters, which is 10 years of work in your lifetime, you won't get retirement benefits. You also won't get Part A Medicare without paying hefty premiums. There can be a higher premium for Part B for people with substantial sources of other taxable income based on tax return data; or if you apply for it after age 65; otherwise, everyone pays the same amount. So if you don't have 40 quarters at age 60, your date last insured for SSDI has to be decades ago. And I can see why it is hard to gather medical evidence before your date last insured.

There was only one ALJ, not two. I will be going before the the same ALJ & hope to win. I know my chances are slim. I do know the people I dealt with are unprofessional, it doesn't matter if you think so or not. Regardless of what the one therapist disabilities are she is still doing something illegal. I had a child on disability and once you can work, regardless if you still have the disability you no longer qualify for SSI. It is fraud what she is doing; this kind of stuff should be stopped. We all should play by the rules.

I'm glad for you you had your gov't job. As you are probably aware, there is a lot of talk about the over inflated pensions & the tax payers resentment over this. I'm sure if you were a non gov't worker you would feel differently too.

Mental illness is a disability. For you to completely act like I'm supposed to suddenly be sane while dealing with some people who don't listen is odd. How can I do that? Do you think suddenly mental illness goes away? I know what has happened, and you totally missed my original post which was about two therapist, NOT DOCTORS, who wanted to pretend they are doctors. I'm sorry you didn't understand what the REAL subject was. Hopefully for others who may go through this problem, my suggestion would be to make sure you are dealing with REAL DOCTORS to determine what your true illnesses are, not focusing on making notes that amount to nothing other than you're dressed nice. Dressing nice or looking good doesn't make someone not have mental problems.

I have a good friend who calls me & his sister and tells us we will never get our social security, but then tells us how he got his disability. He doesn't even know I've applied for mine, nor does his sister. He just tells us that about our regular social security. The other day I said to him, but then that may mean yours could end. I said it nicely & there was no argument, I dearly love him. I was just trying to point out that many people simply don't understand & many do really mean well. Perhaps you did, and I appreciate again what you told me about what I will get at 62. I could be wrong & I stand corrected if I am. I will check tomorrow. Sorry you didn't understand, I usually don't post on these boards because I notice most want to say negative things instead of focusing on what the real subject was. I posted to try to help others who may be in my unfortunate circumstance, If it helped even one person than it was worth it.

I'm not alone in life, I may be kind of alone in fighting for this, but I am far from being alone in real life. Thank God, I am blessed in many ways in spite of the disabilities I have. I just noticed your last paragraph, I didn't see that before. I am not an angry or bitter person, far from it. It's sad when things like this cause someone to fight back. This is how wars start, a person can only take so much then they have to fight back. I'm not going to let myself be pushed around anymore. I'm grateful I'm getting another chance with a hearing, many people never get that. I guess it's just human extinct for people to think they are entitled to things & others aren't.

I have many things people don't have such as a house paid for, stocks, friends, ect. I always hope for others to have these things too. I don't have the attitude of I have this others don't deserve it. My assets still do not make it where I shouldn't be able to get my SSDI. I really feel sorry for the poor people who have nothing to live on while they are fighting this god awful system. It's sad someone couldn't understand I want to have a safer health care plan with medicare. Medicare is being cut & many doctors don't even accept anymore; it's not free. I don't think you would find someone battling cancer to think they shouldn't be entitled this after all the years I worked. The counselors aren't battling cancer, at least not yet, if & when they do they will understand. Believe me!! I had a friend who thought I was making a big deal about getting cancer until he got it. What a different opinion he took on then. It's easy to act like it's not a big deal but it really is. This country does not have health care, it has health insurance that drops people when they get sick. I see it happen all the time, and yet people carry on how great their insurance is. They don't know until they get really sick how bad it really can get.

You said this before how it is hard for me to gather evidence before my last insured date. I have gathered all kinds of evidence, so I don't know why you keep saying this. All of it has been shown to the appeals council & they are granting me another hearing. They don't do this for everyone, very few from what I understand, so I'm happy. For many people, yes it would be difficult to gather evidence from in the past, but thank god I'm a pack rat. I have come up with plenty & have 3 REAL DOCTORS to back it up also.

The counselors are only counselors, that's the mistake I made. Neither one of them are doctors & their word is not credible anyway to prove my case. The subject was about how some counselors can really not LISTEN. I've read it before with others, so I know I'm not the first this has happened to. I posted all of this so others make sure they stay on the same page with REAL DOCTORS and to not try to save money going to people who really don't know what they are doing for something this serious. I wish I'd never hired an attorney, then I could have said after each counseling session send me what you wrote. Because I was kept in the dark it led me to believe they were really listening. To them they figured if I was removed from SSI I just must not qualify, it's difficult for just anyone to understand. That's why I'm sure social security set it up this way. It gets exhausting trying to explain it to people. Again, if most people already are covered with medical I find them not to care about others who aren't. I'm glad I do not feel this way.

Yes, I did say if I don't win my case I will have to pay more for medicare. As for the $200.00 at 62 I will find out about that tomorrow. Again, not a big amount anyway. If I get that it will help me pay for my medicare when & if I reach 65. I'm pleased to see it says I will get that amount, but again I could be wrong & not understand. I didn't understand about the last insured date, this isn't disclosed to people. I felt good when the one lawyer's office said this happens to a lot of people. It has made me feel really stupid not to have understood which certainly does not help all my illnesses. It only makes it worse.

I do hope you find what you are looking for and if you don't, I hope you can make peace with it.

Nobody is saying your illness is not real. I too have mental illness and know it does not "just go away". Your posts just sound so negative and mean spirited towards people in general, I could be wrong and if so, I apologize.

I must say that you and alot of other people are misinformed on all government workers. I was not a Federal worker at the White House. I was a local level making average wages. I paid into a union, paid into medical, paid into a retirement system, so NOTHING is handed to me. There are things working in government we lose that private sector employees get. Like the abililty to call OSHA, we couldn't, not allowed. We had to purchase our own disability coverage at $100.00 a month (which most people pay .63 cents a week through tax/payroll deductions) so we did not have disability leave like private sector people. I had to pay to park $100.00 a month, but didn't get paid anymore than the other people doing the same job somewhere else. Hardly ever had the opportunity for overtime. I knew I would never make big bucks working where I did, but I knew I would have good benefits and security with a job. Those are the choices I made for myself. Some people want the big bucks, some want the stability, some are lucky enough to get both. I am 41 yrs. old, started working at 12 babysitting, didn't stop working until I had to...July 2010. I was a non government worker for a long time also. I had medical that I paid into at those jobs also. I don't feel bitter towards people who earn their livings, it is the people who are high up in the government that pay 13% federal tax on their 2 million dollar income whe we the average people pay 30% on a 40 thousand income. I think that is the confusion on government workers.

As far as the "dressing nice", the doctors, therapists, whoever, that is part of their job, to assess your hygiene and your ability to bathe and dress in clean, neat clothing .Every therapist or Physchiatrist I have evr been to has noted that in their record about me and myappearance, my ability to take care of personal hygiene, how often I can do it, if I need assistance etc. That is important with people that have depression, especially people that cannot or do not get out of bed for days or do not leave the house for days. Do you kind of see now why they notate that kind of thing and other things that may seem trivial?

Good luck to you and hopefully your documentation will prove what you have been stating all along to the ALJ.

I'm sorry I came across as mean spirited; I really am not. I wish I had known about the better benefits through gov't jobs but I didn't. I wasn't real bright in that area to know, & never had anyone teach me about it. I also started working at 16, but sometimes people just fall through the cracks with social security & I happen to be one of them. I personally think since I already proved many years ago I was disabled that should have a lot of weight. I guess others don't think so though & I find that sad for them.

Mental illness doesn't just come and go; the social security office thinks so & can use it to turn down claims. My doctors claim mental illness just doesn't work that way & told the judge they are very aware I had these well before my last insured date I didn't know about. I personally think everyone deserves to get something other than nothing if they've worked. I do know my taxes pay for many people on disability & they are collecting it illegally. I don't find that fair. We have too much fraud on all levels; I've heard of many doctors committing fraudulent claims with medicare even. If anyone else were in my shoes they would be pretty tired of paying for all of this too & to get NOTHING. I'm amazed people think I should be happy with this while I'm battling cancer on top of everything else.

I made a mistake in going to people who only had a masters degree, I should have only gone to other doctors because they are able to REALLY DIAGNOSE. I was trying to save money; doctors aren't cheap when you don't have insurance. These counselors never once mentioned bipolar or borderline, yet the very same place that originally got me SSI did. That was the point of my post. Because I'm not a good writer, I guess people thought I meant something different. I understand about the hygiene & stuff but don't understand ignoring the most important I mentioned above, other than the fact like I said, they have medical so that's what is important to them. If these important things aren't mentioned than no wonder the judge turned me down.They just simply didn't understand is all it is. Believe me, I'm ashamed to have these mental conditions & wish more than anything I didn't have them. I'm actually better just by admitting it though, years ago I sure wouldn't have.

I can clearly see why some of these people on the news go out of their minds at times. Mental illness shouldn't just be ignored; it's a very serious problem & has caused me not to be able to hold down jobs. I may have my problems but no one ever has to fear me going on a shooting spree or anything. I worry about the ones that do though because we all have to then suffer. I think the system should just be made to be a little more fair. It doesn't look that is going to happen though & I find it really sad. It is getting worse!!

I regret even posting on here & don't think I will anymore. The whole subject of my post was just ignored, & instead focused on me being upset of how crazy the two therapist were. To have the first one see me for a year and tell me she was on my side with my disabilities then to play a power game all because I simply requested another counselor isn't right. I laugh how she wrote she feels I can work. I think she can work too, much better than I. She should stop getting SSI and work full time and stop hiding money with her mother. I guess you think it's right what she is doing. I could hide money too, but I prefer to be honest. No one should have to do this to get medical care; that's ridiculous.

I didn't see your post, or I would have responded right away. I don't know what happened before this current post. I do feel your sorrow over your condition. Mental and physical problems all at the same time can be over powering. In the face of not receiving benefits according to your disability isn't fair eithor. No the system isn't good, and I had my share of problems getting my own benefits, even though like you I had been well documented as having these problems It took four years before I was appoved for anything, and I didn't have health insurance either. I was turned down in the insurance pool altogether when I was young because of a pre-existing condition. In light of that, you must not give up in trying to get benefits. Nobody can do this healing, without the money to do so. I lost all two generations saved for because of the health system. I know full well what it is like to face big medical and mental challenges without money to see it through. Nobody means to upset you here. And I don't want you to leave the site feeling you were not listened to. I am here for you, and I do care. Nobody wants to face these things alone and without support. I wish I had caught your other posts, and that I could have figured out something to help you. I can feel your sorrow zevan, you arn't alone. I do care about what happens to you. Do you have any family support at all? You need to find that way to go forward and get the help you need. There are community based help places in many areas of the country. Start calling around and see if you can find an agency to get you the help you need. Mental help is available but you are going to have to search for it in your city. No it should not be overlooked by anybody. I have mental issues as well. Depression has plagued me for years. I kept coming back here to for help and compassion. I will be here to listen to you at any time. You may PM me if you need to speak privately. don't give up. ginnie

My whole family has depression and we also have suicide in the family, so trust me, I know the severity of it. I know the system is not fair for everyone. I know people are dishonest, but it does you no good, for your health or your case to be distracted by something you cannot change (the therapist hiding money with her mother). That was my point about that. I cannot imagine what it is like to have cancer, but I bet you want to use your energy towards yourself and getting benefits (SSI,SSD, Medical etc.) for yourself and not waste it on people who will just continue on their journey of life either way. I feel the same way about my tax dollars going to the wrong things, but I, as one person cannot change it. I decided that to stress over it makes my conditions worse and it sets my health back. I can't afford that.

Can you start a new application instead of an appeal? I think I read that somewhere on the SS site. Do you have a primary doctor who can refer you to a different "community" of therapists, so to speak? Like here in NY we have Dr.'s and therapists that are affiliated with different hospitals and/or medical groups, so maybe a group outside of the ones you have been to already. What about your Cancer doctor's? Do they have any input?

It sounds like you were on SSI and had medical through SS, then went off for a time and are trying to use the medical documentation from the original SSI case to reinstate? Maybe I am interpretting it wrong. If that is the case, what changed? Do you have anyplace there where you live like "lifespan" where social workers can help you, even if it is guide you in the direction of where you could find maybe new doctor's that maybe you were unaware of, like on a sliding fee scale?

I am not trying to be mean either here, just want you to know that this forum is all about support and help. And when I read some of your responses to peoples questions or suggestions, you were snappy....on the defense. We don't know everybodies everything, only what people tell us and we go from there. WE too suffer from illnesses, bad experiences and the like, we are all in somewhat of the same boat

So hang around, relax a bit, ya never know, you might like it here!

I was thrown off of SSI because I came into some money, so no I cannot get on SSI ever again. I cannot start a new claim, I have to stick with this one because of my last insured date. It is SSDI I am trying to get & I have a second hearing coming up regarding it. I'm lucky I am being given another chance. The other person tried to claim I wouldn't get what my statement said on my statements, but I sure will, even more than I thought because my last statement is clear back in 2008. I verified this yesterday & I also will get medicare. I have all my 40 quarters. Some people think they know what they are talking about but they don't. I think it makes them feel good to try to upset someone. The nice lady at the social security office told me if I wasn't going to get anything at age 62 it would say 0 in that column, & it wouldn't state I've worked enough quarters to qualify for medicare. I was told I would never get another chance at another hearing on another board, I personally do not think these boards are helpful; people want to be negative & try to upset people. I watched another lady be abused like no tomorrow; someone kept telling her she would never win her claim while they themselves had won. It's bizarre.

I am one of the nicest people you could ever meet. The therapist I saw were unprofessional & that is what my post was about. They are not doctors and never will be. The three doctors I had from the past are behind me with all of this all the way. Sorry you didn't understand. I don't think you really read my entire post. Mainly you decided how dare I complain & let this shady therapist continue to hide money. (LOL) That's not going to happen, I already turned her in as she should be. I don't care if she even finds out it's me. She fooled with the wrong person, you don't fool with people's lives in that way.

Please try to read people's post all the way, you actually think I'm wanting SSI. There wouldn't be a problem if I was, remember I already got that before & I can no longer qualify for it. Sorry you seem to think I'm such a horrible person, how dare I want my work related record & want to deal with people who are professional. Haven't you ever heard of bad therapist or even bad doctors? If you haven't I don't where you've been. There's bad in all walks of life but I for sure am not one of them. I would NEVER do to someone what that therapist attempted to do to me & I'm proud of it. I don't need to gain power that way!