has anyone had an Administrative Law Judge bench decision, i had my hearing this month and the judge made up his mind on the spot. i just want to know if any one has had this happen to them. its been 4 years and glad its over with.

Unfortuntely, that didn't happen for me but, my girlfriend had this happen for her.

Congratulations!!

I had my hearing on February 25th after 3 years waiting. I received a fully favorable bench decision I didn't even have to go infront of the judge. My attorney went in to get the file took it back spoke to judge and judge gave decision. I was so thankful to God for the decision. I haven't received my award letter yet but my attorney assures me that I have won and not worries just have to wait its been 5 weeks. The judge gave me benefits all the way back to Feb 2005. I know that this will be a better time for my husband and myself soon. Congratulations on your win and maybe we can stay in touch let me know how long it takes you to get your benefits. I'm trying to be patient but I need a car so bad it will make life much easier just can't hardly wait.

Beverley

I had one, I had been out of work for 29 months, a variety of different diagnosis`es none correct but the final one and worded so strongly by a respected expert on MS it could not be faulted.

The judges first words to me after the opening stuff was I don`t understand why you are here. I had been denied twice by SSDI for no valid reason and they didn`t seem to have been interested enough in determining if I had a valid claim, easier just to deny.

After lame answers by SSDI experts, their own testimony that I would have been unable to work at any point of my illness( I had in fact tired for 5 months) he granted a bench decision to speed up the payment of past and current payments owed.

As I recall I had the back money in less than a month and current payment the next.

hello just wondering if you got your award letter? i hope by now you did,. if so did everything go ok? did u get what you where told by your attorney, i waiting still on mine and hope it will come soon. just wanted to keep in touch. good luck your friend matt

I just start my apply process and feel like there is no end to this nightmare. My lawyer told me that 50% of the cases are turned down and I have at least another 2 years before it goes before a judge. Now someone in the know about these things said that I will never get becomes my pain is being controlled medication. Which means, I am not disabled enough for SSDI but the Alabama Department of Rehab counselor told me that I am not employable. Other medical people and doctors have told me that but they will not put it in writing. I even had former SSA worker tell me that having small fiber peripheral neuropathy is not disabling enough and I should just go back to work. However I am incapable of working. The side effects along is making my life unbearable.

I haven't received anything by mail yet getting a little nervous even though attorney says nothing to worry about. I wish my letter would come soon I need the money so bad. I pray everyday that I will recieve the money soon

Beverley

I don't know if SSD has a similar time line as WC - but my settlement was agreed to on 2/05 and I didn't get the check until about 5 months later.

your atty should be able to give you a time line... or email, call or contact SSD thru their website and ask about it ???
If you state how long you have had no income and been injured it might help someone to move things along...
But due to red tape, paperwork and bureaucracy these things happen much slower than we hope for..or need them too.

tjsmith890, "Alabama Department of Rehab counselor told me that I am not employable" will they put it in writing? I am not a lawyer, just my advice is if you are unable to work keep fighting.

I firmly believe they fight claims to make people give up and their records of denials support this. Also the longer they delay the more you wind up giving back to another government agency (IRS) in back taxes. Taxes are owed in the years income the award is received, no income averaging for the years they should have been paid.

I was denied at the first step, the second step, and then we requested a hearing. Never got that far though.....my file was reviewed by the ALJ who would have heard the case, and he said no hearing required.....fully favorable award.....so it does make one wonder if at the two initial steps the majority of claims are denied. Don't know, just know I'm so thankful.....I've been so sick, and without insurance......a rough road that I'm sure a lot of you have been on.....my prayers are with you all.