it has nothing to do with your assets, just whether you can hold a job at a reasonably equivalent level to what you had before--so if you were a research chemist, they can't disallow you disability because you could sweep floors, still.

Connecticut really sucks for denying, delaying appeals, delaying hearings. Go ahead and get it started now. I was denied, first appeal denied, (then maybe a second, I forget?) then put in for a hearing. I think it took over a year to get to where we put in for the hearing. Then it took something like a year and a half to get notified of a hearing date, which was six months away. Then it took 3 months to get the decision, then it took 3 more months to get the money. (you get back pay from your application date/disability elidgibility date, depending on which came first). So go ahead and get started. It's can be a long haul.

Nick,

SSDI will ask for your medical records but they do not rely on your doctors' determination of ability to work as in a Disability Rating. Your diagnosis of condition and medically directed work limits will be considered as a basis for their determination of what work you can do.

crystal,

winic1 is incorrect with her comment < just whether you can hold a job at a reasonably equivalent level to what you had before--so if you were a research chemist, they can't disallow you disability because you could sweep floors, still.>

State Disability and Private Disability Insurance may use the "disability to do equal work" as a factor. This is based on past payroll Disability Insurance contributions qualifying you for benefits to maintain the same income levels.

Social Security goes by a determination of whether you can sustain "substantial gainful activity." That means "can you hold a job that will pay in excess of $1000 per month, even if it is sweeping floors."

Some of the factors that usually apply with Post Concussion Syndrome are :
inability to maintain attention to a task
inability to tolerate a work environment
inability to receive and follow instructions, including multiple step instructions
inability to maintain proper social behaviors and inability to work successfully with others
inability to show up for a normal work schedule , i.e. good and bad days

There are a few other things that will be brought into the equation depending on the investigators handling your claim.

The initial application can be started online at SSA.gov. You can start it an log in from time to time to continue filling out the application. You can also schedule an appointment at the nearest SSA office for assistance by an in-person claims agent. Starting the online application gives you time to find all of the information at your own pace.

Give it a shot. You can always ask for help.

My best to you.

I feel like we're one in the same person...when I was terminated a week before Christmas, I felt the same way : bummed. Not sad, not distraught, just bummed. But as the days go by, I do realize it was probably the BEST thing that could have happened FOR me, not TOO me. I hope as time passes, it softens the blow for you

My company had the "loophole" of me being out on Short Term Disability, which has now turned in to Long Term Disability. WC has not resumed my claim as of this time, they were waiting on the results of Neuropsych testing.

I applied for SSDI last week over the phone. It is a service my Long Term Disability insurance company offers for free, and for that, I felt lucky lol. The process itself takes a while, but at anytime I am released to go back to work, I go. If I am not released and am approved, it acts as a "back up". Also, they explained that I would be eligible for Medicare benefits, "I think", 2 years from the date I applied. It's like a security blanket of sorts, at least that is how I understood it.

I also have litigation pending on a Federal and State level..that's what I meant in my post about the "big guys" lol...I went straight to the top.

It's ironic to me that the one thing that exacerbates our symptoms the most (stress) is the root of all that we are subjected to during our rehabilitation.

I'm so sorry that you are going through this, but I'm right here for you..literally lol

My head is already starting to pound with the impending snow storm...we almost escaped the season with just that freak October storm...blah!

Hang in there my friend...I've truly come to believe that everything does happen for a reason, one that we may not see or ever understand...xxoo

It sure hurts when you loose your job. Sorry this happened. Yes do apply for SSDI. In my case as I lost my career also, I did seek the advice of an attorney. I had his assistant, who does nothing but these kinds of applications help me to apply for both SS and later SSDI. I wish you all the best. It is my understanding that when you have a legal representative, the process can go smoother. I wish you all the best. ginnie