i was wondering if you guys had any tips to make sure i get ssi the first time i really dont want to wait for a second chance as i heard the process to know if i got ssi takes like 3 months or so i heard
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Make sure you get ALL of your medical records for filing the case. Don’t leave anything out. 
You also have a higher chance of winning your case if you can get a signed letter from your doctor supporting you getting disability benefits.
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It’s probably best not to work or go to school while applying for disability. Last time I did that and got denied. This time I found a lawyer to help out… maybe a good lawyer will be important if you need to appeal.
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I second that. You can only work or go to school part time or else you don’t qualify. Not working at all is better for case, though.
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I used to bring someone in my family to my appointments with Social Security. It was for support and to make sure I understood what was going on and to ask questions and help me put forward my case for why I should get SSI (or SSDI). I would go by myself on many occasions but I mostly had my parents or my sister with me on the initial appointments.
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Qualification for SSI benefits likely depends on the details of the case and the disability caused by the disease.
Disability from the legal stance is getting harder to obtain for mental health issues. The stigma of mental illness plays a role here, as courts and lawyers are disinclined to believe that any mental health condition is disabling. If concurrent medical issues are present, I’ll advise you to seek disability for them and add the mental health component secondarily.
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@anon84898315, My advice to you is to seek out the absolute best disability lawyer in your state to represent you. That’s how I got my sz son on SSI in three months from the date of application. That was in the year 2001.
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You have already gotten some great advice! Lawyers help a lot…they will take probably 25% of your back pay but it is worth it! Plus I worked full time while applying…would definitely increase your chances if you don’t work though…just what happened with my case…mine is also ssdi and ssi so that might make a difference. Also supportive Medical doctors opinions only count as far as the Judge is concerned.
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To be eligible for disability benefits, a person must be unable to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA). A person who is earning more than a certain monthly amount (net of impairment-related work expenses) is ordinarily considered to be engaging in SGA.
SGA is defined as earning $1,180 or more a month from working, or $1,970 for blind people. (2018)
I took those quotes off the social security website. If you are able to earn sga you are basically not disabled. Also if you aren’t going to the doctor regularly to get help for your condition that doesn’t look good. So seek treatment. Make sure to list all of your medical problems even if they seem minor, it all adds up. If you aren’t good with paperwork have someone who is help you. Make sure every question is answered fully and accurately, especially names and addresses. I was unsure of some dates so I stated dates earlier to make sure they were getting the old enough records to find the information they needed. I was approved for SSDI my first try in 4 months. Good luck.
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It seems like this thread might be confusing SSI for SSDI? Maybe I’m wrong. They’re definitely two separate things tho.
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I got accepted right away but I hired a lawyer immediately.
Both my psychiatrist and therapist cooperated with me extensively.
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I didn’t need a lawyer I got it on the first try. It helps to be involuntarily hospitalized like I was. I think social security knows that with this kind of diagnoses there is a good chance you won’t end up working. Some of us do but statistically they still say the majority do not.most people with a schiz diagnoses end up getting it even if they have to appeal.
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