Comments on: Disability Benefits Resources

FYI: Information About Filing For Social Security Disability Benefits

[padero6]

I am a 45 Yr old that has been turned down 3 times in the last 4 Yrs now i sit still waiting on a court date. I have fibromyalgia,thyroid disease,parathyroid,hoshmoitis disease which disrouse the immune system, very bad depression, crohns disease,colitis and COPD and have to have breathing treatments 3 times a day but they say i can work doing something other than what i am used to doing and have expeirence in but how? This is what our system is all about they dont care.......

[ssdnitemare]

Thank you so much for finally addressing this problem, I have an attorney, and my appeal has been filed for almost 2 years. SS Administration confirms I''m no longer capable of doing my job, or any past jobs I''ve had (loan officer & case worker, have worked and paid into SS for 40 yrs) I should be able to do "something" to earn substantial wages! We have used almost all our savings, just trying to keep medical insurance, treatments, copays, and the mortgage paid. Our government needs to immediately address this issue, and we as people need to pay very close to the candidates running for office, to be sure they are listening to our disabled & elderly.

[lilalewis]

I have been fighting the system for 10 years. I am medically disabled from the USPS which is the same system that continually denies me SSDI...I am disabled enough for the USPS but not enough for the same government source? I have been denied and have appealed the denial as far as can be appealed...I even had my senater review my case with no help...In all my denials it was stated that although I am disabled, I am not enough disabled to qualify...They have also stated the fact that my age has been an influence in this decision...All this began when I turned 40 years old. The government decided that a young person cannot have medical problems I guess. I have had 4 heart attacks, Quadrouple bipass surgery, I now have a defibulater/pacemaker placed into my heart so I may live through the next heart attack, I have had back surgery, I have had severe depression probems, & the system has broke me...I have had to file for bankrupcy protection so our home has not been taken away...This system is broken...I do truely believe that there is a quota out there and being a younger white married male was not part of there criteria.

[fb50591]

Thanks for finally addressing this issue. I have been awaiting a hearing for almost 2 years. I was initially denied and had to hire an attorney and appeal. To date, my attorney says we may get a hearing date in 8/08. Which will be over 2 years. I have what is termed the invisible disability. Crohns disease. Because I don''t look ill; I am constantly being told I don''t look ill. However, looking at me does not show the pain I suffer in my joints; the can''t see the depression I suffer from being isolated; nor can they see the obvious symptom of constant diarhhea. I have written a book about my life with this debilitating disorder "If You Knew How Regular I Am; You Wouldn''t Be So Full Of It": My 30 Year Secret Life with Crohn''s Disease. I try to address the issues of the disease as well as address the importance of preparing yourself financially for your future by keeping an emergency fund and other financial tips for securing yourself in the event of losing your job due to a disability. After being on unpaid sick leave for over a year; while suffering from a debilitating disease; in addition to the mental depression and financial hardship can make any person lose everything. Thanks for bringing this topic up and hopefully we can finally get some attention in this area. I have written my senators and governor concerning this issue but was given the "pass the buck" runaround.

[adaleo5579]

I just heard your story on social security disability, i want you to know i been waiting for appeal hearing for over 13 months here in Florida. I was diened SSD i had four way by-pass surgery, a medical stent put in. Then i had prostate surgery and may have testical cancer. I was told i would not get approved if i was a miniroty i would get it. Ro i will have to wait three years or more. If you would like to contact me, my email address is [e-mail] Thank You

[fb50591]

Thanks for finally addressing this issue. I have been awaiting a hearing for almost 2 years. I was initially denied and had to hire an attorney and appeal. To date, my attorney says we may get a hearing date in 8/08. Which will be over 2 years. I have what is termed the invisible disability. Crohns disease. Because I don''t look ill; I am constantly being told I don''t look ill. However, looking at me does not show the pain I suffer in my joints; the can''t see the depression I suffer from being isolated; nor can they see the obvious symptom of constant diarhhea. I have written a book about my life with this debilitating disorder "If You Knew How Regular I Am; You Wouldn''t Be So Full Of It": My 30 Year Secret Life with Crohn''s Disease. I try to address the issues of the disease as well as address the importance of preparing yourself financially for your future by keeping an emergency fund and other financial tips for securing yourself in the event of losing your job due to a disability. After being on unpaid sick leave for over a year; while suffering from a debilitating disease; in addition to the mental depression and financial hardship can make any person lose everything. Thanks for bringing this topic up and hopefully we can finally get some attention in this area. I have written my senators and governor concerning this issue but was given the "pass the buck" runaround.

[adaleo5579]

I just heard your story on social security disability, i want you to know i been waiting for appeal hearing for over 13 months here in Florida. I was diened SSD i had four way by-pass surgery, a medical stent put in. Then i had prostate surgery and may have testical cancer. I was told i would not get approved if i was a miniroty i would get it. Ro i will have to wait three years or more. If you would like to contact me, my email address is [e-mail] Thank You

[ljphil]

I was very happy to see this problem make the news. My husband waited 7 years for his disability, receiving a court date only after we contacted our State Senator to inquire on our behalf! But the problems don''t stop there. After they have no choice but to approve you. Then there is a whole list of ways that Social Security can and WILL pay you as little back pay as possible, sometimes in ways that seem down right shady! Believe me we found out the hard way. Good Luck to anyone who finds themselves in this awful position!

[madurrah]

You know it took me five years to get my disability, and SSI,now they are saying I owe this amount or that amount because I tryed to work a 4 hour a day four days a week job. Every other month I get a letter about them cutting my check because they payed to much for this month or that month. They make me sick,I am getting so tired of them and this bull.They were trying to make me pay for some years I didnt get any thing from them.I have worked some place every sece I was 14 years old,and feel I am getting what I put it,they act as if it''s comming right out of their pockets.

[bflippens]

Your basic disability resources like SSA and Va are good, but I''ve found this one to be alot more helpful-- www.disabilityinfo.gov ; This is where I keep updated on on disability stuff. They even provide a state map to help narrow your searches for information in your area.

Thanks
Bruce

[huneydelicious]

I am happy that you touched on this subject. I work with the elderly and disabled. I don''t quite understand how a person can suffer from different ailments and have our government turn their backs on them. Thank you so much for getting this information out there, maybe someone will wake up and do something about it.

Huney

[dementedchor]

ya gotta wonder if these guys are awake !!! i''m sitting here in an electricwheelechair with no feet... ok dont cry for me argen... any how... periodicly i get forms from them asking "if anything has changed in my situation?" so they can take me off the dole... yeah right my feet''ll grow back anyday now....

[lustyk44]

the comment that everyone gets turned down the first time is incorrect. i have seen several claims get approved the first time they file. You need to have current medical information. you have to have a doctor that will put in writing that you are unable to perform ANY type of work for over 1 year. If your doctor is saying that you can probally do something then probally your claim will be denied. And You Must list ALl Medical information that you are being treated for.

[nohope11]

To whom it may cocern,
I too am 1 of the 750,000 people that has been denied
disablity benfets from the ssd. I''am a veitnam vet.
and I have been trying for 5yrs so I feel the pain and
know the frustration of those that are in the same place that I ''am.I''m about to be homeless and My thoughts about life are going away quickly...The goverment could send me to war for the freedom of the american people but yet we are less then a number to them now that we need our freedom.
nohope in seattle

[disability99]

Mdock22, the letter you received is primarily a form letter. These denial letters often contain numerous errors -- do not be deterred. It is true you must be disabled from other types of work and it sounds as though you are. Disability law is complicated and your best action is to get competent representation. Good luck to you sir.

[blackds55]

I know that our situation is not as bad as some others, but it is very typical of the frustrations that a major disability causes. My husband has just started Social Security Disability process. We have to fight the health insurances company; the company%u2019s disability provider and hospital and doctor%u2019s collection departments. Our saving account is gone . We are now to point that just paying our co-pay is becoming so difficult. I have doctors and hospitals demanding us to set up payment plans. I am only able to maintain the house, utilities, car & high gas price (Must have so I can continue to work), and necessary medical expense (approximately $400.00 for co-pay) after that I can buy food. There is no money for payments to doctors, hospital or other bills. One doctor%u2019s office told me that they may not be able to continue seeing him. We are applying Veteran Services (Another broken system). So this will add a new problem, a rural transportation system that is not always available at the times of appointments at VA 45 miles away.
I wish Washington would come try to balance my home budget and fight the current and futures battles We are just 2 years from paying off our house. I hope that we still have it by the time that the health insurance, disability insurance, and Social Security determines that my husband who fighting pain just to walk on a walker is eligible for Social Security Disability or /and other claims that they promised.

[mdock22]

The response i rec''d from SSD:U state that u are disabled and unable to work because of passing out when coughing, copd, asthma and anxiety. We have reviewed the medical record, and it shows that u have received treatment for your condition and may not be capable of heavy work. We realize that you feel u are not capable of working at this time. however the records show that you are able to communicate, act in your own interests, adjust to ordinary emotional stresses, get along with others and do your usual daily activities without assistance. The medical record shows that u are capable of performing other work which does not require heavy lifting. Therefore your claim for disability is denied.

I''m trying to find out where in my medical records does it say I have back problems.
According to SSD, I can get a job as a cab or bus driver. So what happens if i pass out behind the wheel? will SSD pay the lawsuit settlement. FYI, I''ve been instructed by my team (4) of doctors, NO DRIVING, NO WORK, MUST BE SUPERVISED OUTSIDE. NO OPERATING HEAVY EQUIPMENT, ETC. now for the insight, I was in law enforcement for 28 years, so according to SSD, I can still work at my old job, carry a weapon, drive a vehicle, etc. My Question is -ARE THEY OUT OF THEIR **** MINDS?

[disability99]

I see some claimants commenting are represented by Allsup. Claimants should be made aware that they have a much greater chance of getting their claim approved if they are represented by an experienced local attorney or disability advocate. Allsup and some other companies provide nationwide reresentation but they are never familiar with the ins and outs of the decisionmakers at the local level. That experience and those relationships can make a crucial difference in the case. In many cases Allsup and other nationwide practitioners in fact work for the Insurance Companies and not the claimant. This fact is rarely disclosed. I suggest anyone interested in obtaining the benefits they deserve research local representatives. One excellent resource is the National Organization of Social Security Claimant Representatives or NOSSCR. NOSSCR.org

As an experienced advocate, let me say, don''t give up, don''t let SSA grind you down. Get competent experienced help and fight for the benefits to which you are entitled through your payment of payroll taxes.

[caseys48]

I am a combat wounded, 100% Disabled Viet Nam Veteran. SSD was denied to me twice despite the language used to qualify is exactly the same for the VA and SS. They have now seen fit to take 65% of my SSD benefit and award it to my abled bodied, gainfully employed ex-spouse as alimony, This is not a cry baby story about being targeted in a divorce proceeding, it DOES go to the SS Admin, seeing fit to award MY benefit to an ex-spouse despite federal laws that protect it...

[tajamu]

If you think these stories are bad, you should talk to the disabled employees that work for SSA. The federal agency charged with the task of supporting the disabled treats their own disabled employees like second class citizens. The Access Board, another federal agency is investigating SSA due to the lack of Disabled Parking. There is a Disabled Class Action suit with (4) attorney firms because SSA refuses to accommodate disabled employees with upward mobility. The 2005 EEOC report shows that while the federal government grew 3.1% from 1996-2005, Disabled federal employees decreased 16%. SSA will hire but falls short on promoting well qualified disabled employees. Reasonable Accommodations become a circus while the life and career of disabled employees is put at risk. Managers refuse to accommodate with advance sick leave and charge AWOL when disabled employees run out of regular sick leave. When SSA loses a case in court, they appeal rather than correct and pay. Ignorance of the law is unparalled except for the arrogance of power to abuse. We have requested a Congressional Hearing to expose and resolve our dilema. We need on going Congressional oversight.