I filed for SSDI on January 2, 2009. In February I received a letter that they were sending me to a psychiatrist for exam. Doctor asked me a few questions and that was it.

I just called today to check on the status and was told a decision has been made on the 16th however the representative stated she was not able to tell me what the decision is until the 21st but I should receive a letter before then.

I am a 45yr diabetic since 1996 stopped working (Manager of retail store required to be on my feet all day) on August 4th due to no feeling in both feet, weakness in legs and hand tremors. All three of my doctors wrote letters to support my disability and I also provided notarized letters from friends and co-workers.

In October 2008 I was diagnosed with the following

1. Periphereal Neuropathy (confirmed by EMG/NCT tests in October 2008)
2. Diabetic Nephrology ( stage 3 kidney disease)
3. Hypertension

I have been approved thru my employer disability benefits for Long Term Disability but have not received a check yet. I will be re-evaluted in 2011.

With a decision made in such a short time frame I feel it is a denial. Has anyone here been approved in such a short time period.

I was denied the first time I applied...it took about 6 weeks to be notified. I filed an appeal, and hired an attorney...its been over 3 years I've been waiting for a hearing...the lawyer said I should be getting a date in the next month or two...

Well no sooner did I leave my post the mail came and low and behold.....
Denied. Oh well. I contacted my Long Term disability provider - MetLife and they said they will assigned me a Social Security specialist that will assist in the appeal and/or referred me to attorney they use. I am lucky my long term benefits were approved so I have income for at least 2 years.

Why does it take so long just for an appeal hearing??? It is a shame applicants have to go through so much. I know alot of people that collect SSI and are fine!

I have two moods
1. Zombie and useless "feel no pain" so doped up that I nod off at times or a victim of quick 5 min naps in the middle of a conversation or while just sitting.
2. Grouchy person in so much pain that I do not want to be bothered by anyone and want to be left alone.

Everyone says they deny most of the time. Reading the reasons for the denial is even more frustrating. Oh well life has to go on..

I was approved first time - and it was pretty quick. It's possible

good luck

It is possible Colbey. I was approved for Social Security on my first attempt, but someone made an error in not putting the money through & I had to reapply. Once I sent check copies (my approval is for Supplemental Security Income), I was told that I'd recieve a check in a few weeks. I got it last week I have been very confused throughout, which you can see by my posts in here. Maybe someday I'll "get it" !

Best wishes ~ I've got my fingers crossed for you!
Shez

Oh update received my denial letter in February. I am a diabetic with severe neuropathy..

I am considering hiring Allsup for my appeal....has anyone heard positive or negative. Thank god I was approved for LTD so I do have some income coming int.
I do not wish to use my LTD provider attorney.

I'm sorry Colbey!

I don't know anything about the appeals process other than there being many firms, in each large city, that handle these types of cases. I've heard that they're no-fee to the client.

Hugs and best wishes to you !
Shez

Best wishes on your application, C.

I have MS. My date of disability was the end of April; I worked on application in May and June, applied online and had phone interview in June. Was approved in Sept., and received my first check in November.

Did not use an attorney. They do not charge an up-front fee, but charge 25% of back-pay, if you are approved (nothing, if you are not). I'm not sure what happens if you are approved quickly, as I was, and there is no back pay. I think that they just don't get much. For that reason, some attorneys will not accept a case, or will not put much effort into it, until the applicant has already been denied twice, and is ready to appeal in court. I have heard, though, about other attorneys who work hard for their clients.

~ Faith

My long term disability company hired a SS advocate, and after the initial denial I was approved. My big shocker was that you have to sign up for Medicare after you are on Social Security Disability! I had great benefits under a continuation of benefits plan at the time, but had to pay for Medicare anyway. Talk about gouging the disabled! However, a couple years later my employer dropped continuation on all its disabled ex-employees . . . so actually my transition to Medicare was already in the works.

I got approved for Crohn's/colitis. I guess the fact that I have lost much of my digestive system meant I would not be rehabilitated back to being able to work. I too have neuropathy. . . my feet are numb constantly and the pain!

I was also lucky to have purchased supplemental long term disability coverage through my work, which is keeping me going now. . . . but at 65 I lose it! I have no clue how I will get by on just SS. . . especially if it is bankrupt by then! And of course, the 401K's haven't grown in the last 6 years since I have been a non-working disabled person . . . and in fact shrunk before I could get them all into stable funds!

I wish you the best of luck with your advocate. Save every dime you can . . .