Hi everyone, I have finally after 2 1/2 years of fighting got my SSI decision.. Denied !

So, I ask of all the members.. what is next ? Do I appeal ? This was in front of the ALJ appeals judge... I am soooo depressed right now ! I have fought soo hard to get all the records and therapy and meds and a diagnosis - now I have to do it all over again.... I would appreciate any help or words of advice, this has been the hardest thing to do especially that I can't work at all with all the pain .....

Oh, (((Dolfinz)))! I'm so sorry! Gosh, I know what you've been through already to get as far as you have. I had to go in front of the ALJ too, but that's where I finally won my case.

If you are unable to work, then I would say definitely keep pushing. It's getting harder and harder to get approved because of the way they're changing the rules. But I wouldn't give up.

One very valuable lesson I learned was to select an elderly and distinguished lawyer who was up for consideration to become a judge himself. After all my struggles, once we got to the ALJ, all this lawyer had to do was go in the courtroom and talk to the judge for five minutes and I got my approval. I never saw the judge myself. Apparently he was willing to take the lawyer's word for it that I was truly in pain and disabled by it.

I hope you have the strength to keep fighting this thing, and that you ultimately prevail. Remember, this is a right you're fighting for. Not just an entitlement. Good luck...

Idealist

Dolfinz - I am so sorry. I can understand your depression but you need to keep trying. I am preparing for my ALJ hearing and I know how hard it is to work on getting all the information put together while in pain.

You didn't say if you had an attorney? If you did not, you definately need one. You simply cannot do it alone.

Again, I am very sorry and I hope you can keep going until you win!

nancyh

Thanks for the kind words.. I do have a lawyer.. She is o.k. it seems I got "the worst" judge... I will keep trying..

My parents are paying my bills because I can't get welfare.. Son still lives with me and it would be some stupid amount of money a month.. not worth the aggrivation.. and as far as food stamps.. 75.00 a month ? Well I will keep fighting, my parents want me down in Florida to fight it there..So..fight again !!

Keep fighting Dolfinz. You fight for what is rightfully yours. What advice does your lawyer give?

I haven't talked to the lawyer yet.. Tuesday, but she did say that if I was denied (apparently I had the Worst judge) we would fight it !

I have to, I have TOS and it is painful everyday.. My problem is do I fight from FL or here in Mass. ? I am trying to find out if a case can be transferred or do I have to file all over again ?? Thanks for all kind words ....

Dolfinz;

My husband had that same question since he thought mine was taking a long time. I'm pretty sure he was told we would have to start all over in a new state. But, that might not be so bad. You just never know.

As for me, it will be 2 years in March. My attorney has applied for the hearing and now we wait for an open slot with the judge. Could be months. So I guess we wait it out together...

Best of Luck,
Nancy

Since you have a bad judge, it might help if you do start over in another state. Your lawyer will know. Good luck!

Hi all,
Thanks for all the help, it really does help to know your not the only one going through this.. I've been reading thru the 8 page Denial and I am soooo upset at some of the things the judge says.. Has anyone gotten a denial ? And if so, how many pages are they usually ?

I will wait till Tuesday to talk to the lawyer, but I am feeling pretty upset with her too. The last time we spoke, she began to tell me basically that I "blew" the case becasue of not permitting some Phych? report back in 2004 when I first filed? .. that was about 2 mos. ago.... and I am going to have to speak to her about moving to another state....((sigh, sniff,sniff))))

Mine was horrible. It made me bawl my eyes out. The ridiculousness of it shocked me. It said at one point..."no evidence of neurological impairment" and then later it said "because of seizures (neurological impairment), claimant should not drive or operate heavy machinery". The contradictions and out and out untruths...gawd it was just awful. I know mine was at least eight pages. I always felt that if they took as researching my case as they did writing that letter of denial bull pucky, caca, crap....I would have gotten it.

Chin up sweetie. Dust yourself off and don't let them get to you.