[mexigrl]

Hi,

I have been dx'd for 13 years now with M.S. I have been on SSDI most of that time. I have been working under SGA for the last few years. Each year they send me a work report and I fill it out and that seems to be it. I live out of the country during the summer, away from my home in Mississippi where it is crazy hot and humid. I do this because of my illness. My father gets my mail while I am away and told me last night there is a CDR Long Form that needs a response by 14AUG.

I called SSA today, to say they were rude would be an understatement. The girl told me the form has to be in and they can't give me an extension until the end of Sep when I return home. I won't get the form for at least a week in the mail from the USA. I looked online and can see that I can only answer maybe 1/2 the questions, no way of putting dates and even some of the doctor info as I am not home and have no access to my medical records.

My questions are twofold:

1. I have been told no extension, has anyone ever gotten one? I'm quite concerned because I've had MS so long now that I don't see a neuro on a regular basis, or an optho etc. I see a GP a few times a year for various issues, and she doesn't specifically treat my M.S. I'm not sure if she would support me (like my last doc did) and won't be home to speak with her. Any thoughts or ideas?

2. I do have access to a monthly income from a family trust if SSA was to take away my benefits. I'm wondering how likely that is. I have been considering trying to return to more full time work (I work from home) to see if I can make more money. If I was to call SSA now and let them know I'm planning to go back to work would they allow me to with the CDR going on? My biggest concern is my Medicare, I live in a state that will have almost no options on Obamacare and can NOT afford to lose my coverage. I understand if the CDR is done and they decide I'm not disabled enough then I will lose it but if I go back to work I can keep it for over 7 years.

I hope that all makes sense - I've asked around and so far no luck in finding out if I could go back to work through SSA after they have already sent the CDR - or if the two things aren't linked somehow.

Thanks in advance - I know this was long but was hoping to make some sort of sense!

Barri