Hello, I am new here and searching for advice and support.

I have filed for SSI back in January. In April I was denied. I appealed the decision. I called them on the phone this week to find out the status and was told that nothing has happened at this point. That they have up to a year. I was wondering is that from the appeal or from the original file date. I guess either way it don't really matter. Have to wait any way. Could really use the medical insurance and the income. Right now I have neither. Thanks in advance for all the support and advice, at this point any advice would be welcomed. Thanks so much. Mary

Be prepared to wait and suffer rejection many times, unless you have a great lawyer, know the ins/outs of the process, or your condition is very severe. Chances are you will be rejected quite a bit and each rejection/appeal can take months. Even waiting for a decision can take a long time, they are bogged down with people filing and it takes them ages to do anything.

Ive been waiting for 19 months now since I first filed, the whole time being unemployed with no income and low income public healthcare for part of the time. I meet all the criteria on the SS website for disabled CD patients, but still I have been rejected numerous times. After you get rejected several times, then you will get a hearing and possibly more appeals. It maybe a long time before you get approved, expect a lengthy process and if you are approved quickly than consider yourself fortunate. Some people do get lucky and get it on their first try or first appeal, but in my experiences that seems to be the minority.

The best advice I have is to look into hiring a disability lawyer if you dont have one, get all of your medical records and study them, do your best to figure out what exact reasons you were denied, and read as much as possible about the disability process.

Your medical records matter a lot and what your doctor says about your condition can hurt your case. If your doctor thinks you can work, that is going to look bad. More medical records while your disabled helps, but it is tough to see a doctor when you are disabled, have no insurance, no job and no money. Try to get on some public assistance, if possible and start seeing a doctor regularly. It is usually a long fight, so have patience and prepare yourself with knowledge on the process.

Hiring a lawyer isnt a necessity, but if you are very ill, it helps relieve you of the stress. Lawyers have a lot of experience, so they can help you with your case and increase your chances of being approved. Lawyers will want some kind of compensation, so make sure you are ok with their terms. It is possible to win without a lawyer, but that means you will have to do all the leg work and find out what everything means about appeals, rejection, terms, etc. Good Luck

Have you checked out the sticky notes on the Neurotalk Social Security Disability forum?

There are also several people on Neuro that are extremely well versed on the SS system and can offer you great assistance.

Wishing you the best.

I hired a disability firm after my first rejection, ( luckily I had enough vacation and sick time left from my job to last me for 5 or 6 month) I started the process in aug. and was fully approved in 6 months after first rejection..thanks to a disability firm...gl Queen Mary...that was 3 years ago. oh and I am ss, mine was only for ssdi, and not ssi , maybe there is a difference with applying and getting approved. I still wish u the best of luck.

Check with your local Social Service departments. You should be able to qualify for Medicaid, Food Stamps, etc while you are waiting. Any free medical clinics in your "hood?"


GOOD LUCK & HANG IN THERE!!!!

QueenMary,

The SSA requires adequate current medical documentation of your disability and expects that disabled people will require ongoing medical care and monitoring. If you have been unable to obtain medical services because of your lack of insurance and income, it is imperative that you follow Mz Migraine's advice.