How many of you, if you are willing to share, had a good/bad experience in acquiring disability?
For me, personally, this is the third year I have been waiting. I realize that around here they turn you down the first time you apply I guess to try and weed out the people who don’t truly need it. I don’t know what to expect. I had an appeal hearing a few months ago and I’ve been called back for a second hearing. This time we have an additional diagnosis to add, the gastroparesis. Would it seem unjust if they disqualified me? Even if they do, we’re going to get a lawyer and fight until I win, but we’re hoping this next hearing goes well. They say they are calling in a vocational official. I’ve been to vocational rehab and they said I fully qualified for the benefits but that my dad made too much money for them to help me, but they said they would keep my case open to help in the future for things like this. Do you think this is a benefit for me? I’m nervous, of course. I don’t know what to expect. It’d be great to have some help paying off all of the freaking medical bills.
Seems to be the case in the US of needing a lawyer to get it from what I’ve been hearing. I’m in Australia so totally different situation. Hope it comes in quickly and without to many more dramas.
A caseworker of mine filled out the Social Security application for me. I think I was turned down the first time, I lost those records long ago and my memory is fuzzy. I know I didn’t need a lawyer or any interview to get approved. It was a pretty hands off experience for me, I might have had to send in an appeal form but that was about it.
Whatever you do, don’t hire a lawyer unless you’re turned down. They will take a huge chunk of your back pay.
Don’t get discouraged either, keep going through the whole process. They turn down tons of people applying for the first time.
My stepfather was in a bad motorcycle accident (as apposed to a good accident…) in 2010. He has severe neurological damage. He can’t talk clearly and falls when he attempts to walk. SSDI denied him 3 times. They went to 2 different hearings. Last month he finally got a check.
Well I’m hoping since I have two conditions now that my case will be a little stronger. We’re doing everything we can to avoid a lawyer. I have a friend who after one year of waiting, got 12,000 back pay and had to give three thousand to the lawyer he hired. It’s been over three years for me so who knows what’s going to happen.
Sorry you are stressed CarleyGee. I would think you have more than just a good chance this time? I hope so anyways for you. I was still delusional when I met the government psychiatrist about whether I could work or not and he gave me SSDI just like that. Your situation is different but I am thinking you will get the benefits.
I got $1600.00.My friend applied in 1978 and didn’t get awarded until 1985. He got a check for $25,000. He bought two cars, and a massive tool chest which he filled with very tool available.Poor guy later committed suicide,it was pretty sad. But we had some interesting adventures and misadventures together. He almost shot me one time but he changed his mind. I lucked out on that one.
Aha, my best friend tried to kill me once. had to go to the hospital and everything. She were both whiskey drunk though.
Anyway, I’m just hoping this doesnt take forever. Obviously we have a stack of bills to pay at the moment and in desperate need for another car. I know if I get a lawyer I would certainly win, but I’m trying to avoid that, like i said. We want the money for ourselves, not to share.
That’s understandable. But most people choose to hire a lawyer. My lawyer took half of my retroactive check for payment for his services.