I am on workers compensation at this time. I applied for SSD recently and I'm bieng seperated from job for disability. Do you think a social security lawyer is essential? Has anyone recieved SSD on their own?

I have seen more people around here get it without lawyers then with.

I hired an idiot and he didn't do anything for me. I finally wrote to the State Rep and he helped me get mine.

My husband got his within 6 months without a lawyer and I am seeing more of that around here.

My feelings are is that the Lawyers cannot speak for you. If you can't speak in court and they do all of the talking then it's second hand.

Most lawyers are jokes anyway in my opinion.

Ada

I tend to be a little disorganized (ADD) even before the pain and brain fog hit, so I found having a lawyer to gather all of the MD records and fill out forms invaluable. I was rejected on my own and accepted after I got him

I applied then was denied because they didn't request my medical records from my primary doctor. So I had to appeal that was in March. I called yesterday to find out what was going on with my appeal and she told me..oh that can take up to 24 months...I went I'll be homeless by then. Now I wish I would have let my attorney handle it.

i got mine on my own. it can happen.
i rec. that you get SOME help when you apply. if you don't hire an atty at least work with your local CIL or like organization. center of independent living.

also i highly rec this book by nolo press--
Nolo's Guide to Social Security Disability
Getting & Keeping Your Benefits

http://www.nolo.com/product.cfm/Obje...DAA51B476/213/

my LTD company contracts with Genex services in PA. They handled my claim.

http://www.genexservices.com/ss_disability/

i do not know what they do wrt personal services, but they were very helpful.

I do think win vs lose has a LOT to do with support from your doctor in terms of documentation of your abilities. SSD has strict limits, and you must prove that you meet them first and foremost. The proof comes from how your doctor fills out the paperwork and that his/her handling of your case is consistent with what he says your abilities are. All of these records must make it to SSD in time for your medical review. Don't include doctors unless they have some meaningful records, and don't volunteer stuff that isn't asked for.

Hi Billy,

I was successfully awarded SSD on my own, with no help from lawyer, on the first try. I didn't even have to go to court and it only took a few months to get approved. I was shocked!

In my case, however, I think it helped that I had just won my claim for LTD from my employer. For that I DID actually hire a lawyer because I was appealing an initial denial and it seemed like having attorney to provide extra "teeth" to my claim was the smart thing to do. Even with the attorney, though, I still did almost all the the work. I had all of my medical records, including detailed letters from my surgeon (Dr. Sanders) and Dr. Allen Togut. I supplied as much applicable medical research on TOS as I could find. I wrote a very long and detailed narrative of what the pain was like and how difficult is was to do so many things, let alone work. When I won the LTD appeal, the LTD insurance company required me to also file for SSD. I did it mostly because it was required - I really had no expectation of winning.

I intended to hire a lowyer for SSD as well, but my previous attorney didn't deal with SSD and several of the SSD lawyers I called informed me that they only take appeals - they don't help with the initial filing. So, I filed on my own. When I did file for SSD, I included ALL of the documentation I had submitted for my LTD claim, as well as the LTD Award Letter. When filling out the SSD application forms, once again I responded in tremendous detail - like a whole page per question in some cases - describing how difficult it was to shower, dry my hair, wear a bra, wash dishes, drive to the store, etc. Also, since I have trouble writing or typing (as do most of us), I had a friend type up the answers for me and included a notarized note (signed by me and my friend) explaining that it had been typed by my friend on my behalf, due to my disability. I don't think I was exaggerating - I just told it like it is. Anyway, I think those things helped but having as much medical documentation as you can is absolutely crucial.

Good Luck! I hope all works out in your favor. Keep us posted (no pun intended )

I won my case 1st try, No lawyer, .. its sooo possible keep good records !!, Follow up with every doc !! And for gods sake use HIPPA to your advantage to get all the records files and notes ever written about you from your doctor, Have friends and family fill out forms write letter it all helps, I applied in 12/08 was approved 5/15/09 .. my protected filing date is Oct. I am at the waiting for award letter and payment stage now. Dont give up if your denied !! Appeal Appeal Appeal !!! .... But just know its very possible to WIN without a lawyer. Wishing you much luck

If I may add a question here while we're talking SSD..
Is anyone concerned that getting an SSD award means less retirement funds?
(I am )

I have recieved ssd on my own. The ssd caseworker was very nice and helpful..it took about 2 months to get approved and then you wait 24 months before medicare kicks in unless you qualify for other services. I was surprised how painless the process was. I'm in WY and I was very pleased with the system. Hope I've been of some help.