I've a long time luker on this forum before i joined.I read this sticky about being prepared when you apply for ssdi.Well all i can say it's true.Now i have other issues than just pn.But they went with the results of my emg last nov and i applied on 3/30/12, phone interveiw was on 4/11/12 and brought my medical records to my local ssa office on 4/12/12 Plus the lady at the office made a comment on the way i was walking.Today i recieved a letter that i was granted ssdi and my first check for the month of may will be in account on 6/1/12. So it took 2 months.They might have fast track it for me and being 60yrs and 1 primary care might of help.

Whats PN? Somekind of neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy. I'm just use to calling it pn.

congrats on the fast ssdi approval billy.that's pretty quick considereing that there are others on this forum who have waited years to get on ssdi with many denials and appeals.consider yourself lucky and congrats.gil..

Thanks Gilbert. I know that was pretty quick. Also i have other issues.Drop foot, both feet so i have leg braces, 1-dics remove from my neck in 2001,plus i'm a vet with a 30% rating and my Doc stated i can't do any type of work that invoves siting, walking, lifting, driving. I hired a lawyer ahead of time just incase and they did nothing per ssa so can't wait to see there bill.One less thing to worry about.

Also not sure if this helped.NYS has 6 month disability which i was on.

Billy I'm new here can you tell me what it means to be "prepared" I'm assuming I need to have all my medical records from my Neurologist, but what else? I have non diabetic unexplained PN. Would love to hear advise on how to become more prepared, and how do I go about filing? Do I have to report in person to a SS office or are there forms on line to begin the process? Also what about all the lawyers you see adverising on TV who will "help" you apply or fight a denial of SSDI.
I've done a search on the site here and found some stuff but not a lot. I thought I remembered a year or so ago someone on this site who was helping others go through the process.
Thanks for any insight you may have about the process I face going forward with the SSA.
Doc

Don't wait,file ASAP. Get an attorney if you get denied. I have seen an ad about them helping you from the start but I don't know what they could do unless its appealed.
I filed over the phone. Three months later I was denied,but won on an appeal 2 years later.
Keep track of all your medical records and if you have another impairment,make sure SS knows about it.

Hi Doc,

Many members put their best tips in this stickied thread: http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread148967.html

Most SSDI lawyers get paid only when you are approved for SSDI. My figures are old, but it's approx 25% of your backpay, capped at $6000 (someone might chime in if that;s higher now) If a lawyer helps you get approved quickly, their pay would then be a small amount. Some here have reported that they couldn't get a lawyer to help them at the start of a case, only when they had been denied SSDI. It would make sense for a lawyer to be more interested if he was going to get the max amount. I didn't seek out a lawyer until after my initial denial. I was approved 3 years later at the ALJ level.

You can start the process by mailing in the forms or by phone.

Good luck !

NT is a great resource....either for help with the process or for emotional support along the way. If you've got specific questions, just ask !

Hello again DrA,

I just noticed your location. I'm in Marshfield Ma now. I was planning to move to Bonita Springs post divorce, but now will probably end up on the Cape since my mom who has taken ill is there. We're almost neighbors !

Also wanted to add.....if you do have specific questions, you're usually better off starting your own thread so more people will see it. Many might miss new issues if they have already responded to a thread.