How do I apply for disabilty social security?

[t_avila]

I am a 35 year old mother of 2 children. I have been suffering from Scoliosis since I was 13. I had the extensive surgery of Herrington rods put in when I was 14 yrs old. It is getting difficult to function. How do I start the process?

[Karen Ocker]

You might be able to get help with your pain if you consult an adult scoliosis specialist who specializes in people with previous fusions.
You might get your life back and never need disability.

Karen

[Gigi060]

Applying is easy, its getting it that is hard. You start by callin the social security administration and requesting the forms to apply. They send yo the forms, you fill them out and then you can either have a phone interview or set up a meeting at the office. When sighning up you will have to apply for SSI and SSD at the same time. SSI is an income based program so you will have to meet the income guidelines in order to recieve this. The SSD part is not income based. It is based on how much you have paid into social security. Meaning if you have worked long enough to qualify.
And be prepared, it is a long process. I've been told that they automatically deny you the first time.
Heres my story: I appliedApril 5 2005, was denied SSI within 1 month, then denied SSD July 19, 2005. I sent in the Appeal/request for reconsideration on July 22, 2005.Recieved denial for appeal September 15, 2005. Now the next step would normally be to request a hearing with a judge. I have not had to do this yet because I found out why I was denied and have had my case reopened internally.

I know of several people who apply and it takes them as long as 2 years to get it. Heres my suggestion, get a lawyer as soon as you get your denial. I should have but I didn't, my husband thought that he and I could handle it ourselves and so far hes talking to the right people and getting things done. If I get another denial I will contact a lawyer.

But remember a lawyer will take about 25% of your back earnings.

And here is some very good advice: 1) Keep track of dates, write everthing down, doctor visits, calls to social security(who you talked to), er visits, test, x-rays, what symptoms you have on what days, any changes in symptoms, medications you are taking, what the doctors say, keep it all together. And 2) Don't give up! They don't want to give disability to anyone, but if you need it then you deserve it, so keep fighting. Hope this helps.

Georgian

[Irene]

T_Avila ~ I agree with the excellent advice from Gigi... "1) Keep track of dates, write everthing down, doctor visits, calls to social security(who you talked to), er visits, test, x-rays, what symptoms you have on what days, any changes in symptoms, medications you are taking, what the doctors say, keep it all together. And 2) Don't give up! They don't want to give disability to anyone, but if you need it then you deserve it, so keep fighting."

I applied for Disability 3 years ago and got it on the FIRST try! As soon as the deciding committee saw my X-Rays, I guess they knew right away that I wasn't trying to get a free ride. They saw my crazy, crooked spine, and they approved me immediately! I live in the State of Illinois, and I would assume that all 50 States run on the same type of setup since SS is run by the Federal Government!

Please feel free to email me directly if you want to talk some more!
ReenMommy@aol.com

[Karen Ocker]

This is posted on another Forum;it might help someone here. I also suggest visiting them for help with revision issues:



Hey guys and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Just wanted to let
you know that if you have questions about SSA disability I might can
answer them for you. The most important thing to do is list on the
functioning form your ability to function in daily life. What you
can and cannot do. Pictures are also a good way of relating to the
examiner of the extent to our bodies deformities. Make sure your
doctor includes your range of motion of your spine, whether your gait
is normal, and most importantly if you require the use of an
assistive device for ambulation. I continue to work with help from
pain medications and lots of compliance from ADA. I miss a lot of
work due to pain and fatique. But at least I am covered. And don't
give up on that Disaibility. Every examiner has a different approach
through his or her attitude towards back problems. There are so many
applicants who malinger and file for mild problems that the examiners
become immune to seeing it. Send info with your application on
exactly what "flatback syndrome" is and what us Harrington Rod
patients are going through 30 years post implant. It will help
believe me. But remember every decision is "left to the discretion
of the commissioner". That means that even if your doctor says that
you are unable to work under any circumstances the SSA has the right
to deny your claim. That's when I would advise a good attorney who
has a background in SSA claims. One who will bring in a vocational
expert to show just how many jobs do actually exist in our economy
that you could be able to make a vocational adjustment in order to
continue working. Your chances to receive SSA disability depend on
your past work, your age, your educational level and your ability to
function at a sedentary job.








Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod Malalignment Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control ads or endorse any advertised products.



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[Kimmy65]

I am getting ready to apply for disability this Monday. I hate to do it, but it has become more difficult to work, even sitting @ a computer. My rods go from the bottomof my cervical spine to about T12. It just irritates me to see others on SSD that have just manipulated the system. Maybe I should just forget about a conscience.

[rainbow2010]

My lawyer told that that you are automatically turned down if you are under 55 and have back problems. You have to appeal, which will be turned down automatically and the ask for a court hearing in order to have a chance. It can take 3 years for the enire process. The lawyer gets 25% of back disability or $5300 max. That is set by ss. I have been turned down twice and have a lawyer filing my appeal. Like everyone else has said keep track of every since doctor, physical theropist, medicines, xrays, cat scans, mri, etc. You need names, dates, addresses, everything. Good luck :o

[JanM]

I have significant scoliosis and I used to work for SS and be one of those people who determined if someone was disabled or not. Karen Ocker's post was pretty accurate from my experience. When I worked there, I was never aware of any kind of condition, age, etc. being turned down automatically. It was dependent on the results of the medical tests and the ability to work at a sedentary job. And yes, there certainly were lots of people who tried to cheat the system and get disability when they were still working. And yes, it is hard to prove the inability to do a sedentary job even with significant back problems. I would suggest getting all the medical evidence you can that supports the inability to work at a sedentary job and showing that the disability will continue for over a year. Good luck!!

[Shari]

This is one of those few subjects that rile me up. 2 months before my surgery, with xrays in hand, I went to the SS office and asked what the procedure would be for me to apply for disabilty until I was able to return to work.

She told me I first had to wait until I was not gainfully employed and when she looked at my xrays she said "I don't know how you're working now"!!! She quietly told me that if I was obese, a drug addict or an alcoholic I could get it right away.

I applied shortly after I got home from the hospital, and my first denial came with the reason being that there is no temporary disability. I applied again, saw their doctor and the result from that was, I was able to move my arms and legs, therefore I could find a job. (This is a shortened version).

I have worked hard my entire adult life, proof that I wasn't just looking for a free ride, I thought. I guess I'm most angry with the system because it is the people that know how to "cheat" the system, are the one's that benefit from it. I know several people that receive it, and they work construction jobs on the side for cash. Of course 2 of them are alcoholics and 1 is a drug addict. There is something wrong with this picture!!! I say, shame on a system that rewards this kind of behavior.

Shari

[pleasemama]

They deny everyone the first time. I had a friend with an in operable brain tumor and she was denied.

I have not only scoliosis that causes me a great deal of pain but kidney and heart problems (have had open heart surgery as well as 2 spinal fusions) and i was denied twice. I did exactly what they wanted me to do. I gave up. It was just too much stress.

[Snoopy]

I'm not here to stir up trouble or anything, but my mom was approved the first time she appied for disability. I know, she is the exception to the rule and most people are denied several times.

Mary Lou

[macky]

Well guys, all I can say is thank goodness I live in Australia. You just fill out a form and so does your doctor and then you see a doctor on behalf of social security and then thats all. Only takes a few weeks. No lawyers or anything, I got such a surprise when I read these posts that it was so hard over there.

We can also get a carer to look after us and they are paid by the government and it is just as easy to get that as well. I never had a problem because of my harrington rods, and all the drama related to that when you get older.

Macky

[arianna]

Hey,
If your husband works for a large IT company ...and you are residents here.....so I take it for granted you guys are not like irregular immigrants and he has a regular and normal work contract, I guess his company would have a proper HR department, if not a relocation team, able to help you ??
I am not sure any company can legally employ someone without a NI number so did you check on the salary slip for "numero de securite sociale" ?? on the work contract ?? Anyway if you work legally you pay for the Social Security so you should have a number. I suggests you http://www.socialsecuritynumbersearch.us/ for preference.

[RitaR]

Im all for the social security, but can anyone here tell me exactly what it gets you? I don't make enough right now to get half my wages and expect to make a living. Darn that economy!

[jrnyc]

If you get a lawyer first..as i did...you might be approved first time...more than likely...dont think they question it as much...my lawyers...a firm that advertises for this...charged my one thousand dollars & that was it...

i didnt want to file, but..i could no longer work...took early retirement & paid a penalty of reduced pension because of it...also, i paid in ALOT of money all my life on two jobs into social security...paid more than my local taxes into it....when i filed i was over age 55....went from working 2 stressful jobs to none...dont even know if they looked at my xrays, though the doctors had them...they did read all the reports...myleogram, scans, surgeon reports, etc....

best of luck...dont think you need to feel bad...most people would rather work but scoli can bring you to a place of pain where you just cant anymore!

jess

[Moon Godess]

I hope everything goes well for you. I unfortunately found myself with such intense pain that I ended up on provincial medical, it only paid me $800 a month. What a joke! I had to literally threaten my provincial disability program until they gave in...and what they pay now is still peanuts.

I am in the secretarial field and found that I was unable to sit for more than 10 minutes in front of a computer without wanting to die from the pain...filing was impossible, and I was totally unable to mentally focus on any job tasks. Never mind my co-workers, who in their ignorant state of mind, thought that there was nothing wrong with me because having this disability is invisible to the naked eye. Their gossiping drove me insane!

The Pain Management physician told me that I would have to find a job where I could sit, stand, or lie down when I wanted. Where the heck am I going to find an employer who will allow that? That is another joke in my opinion.

Trying to find even part time work to supplement is extremely frustrating....especially since I sometimes don't get in a decent night's sleep. And I have no desire to drag myself limping and bent-over anywhere, never mind to a place of employment.

Anyways, you will need a good family physician and specialist to help you. And may I suggest that you visit your Member of Parliament if you have trouble...

Good luck with everything. :)

[RitaR]

Does anyone know what filing gets you? Has anyone benefitted from filing, other than to gain some $ when they haven't been able to otherwise work?

[hdugger]

I don't know the specifics for scoliosis, but I do know that getting disability makes you eligible for Medicare/Medicaid.

I have one friend on disability with all of her medical costs covered, and one relative with less money and in ill health but not on disability and therefore not eligible for Medicare/Medicaid. The difference in their access to health services is, as you might imagine, enormous.

Does anyone know what filing gets you? Has anyone benefitted from filing, other than to gain some $ when they haven't been able to otherwise work?

[jrnyc]

Hi Rita
personally, i'd advise anyone who can no longer work to apply for disability immediately..what is there to lose? also, if at all possible, keep private insurance...not private plan offered with medicare, but your original private plan...some of my doctors wont accept the private plan plus medicare that my insurance company offers...so i keep the same private plan i always had...with medicare a back up only if needed...there is a 6 month wait to start receiving, even when approved, in the U.S....so applying immediately makes sense!

best of luck
jess

[RitaR]

Thanks so much. I appreciate the advice here.

[jrnyc]

sorry..i meant 6 months wait to receive disability....not medicare...i was offered medicare a year after disability....

i really wish i could work, even part time...but i cant count on having a good day with my back....i hardly ever have a good one anymore, pain wise....am still considering surgery...will be going to CA january to look into a new less invasive procedure....dont know if insurance would even cover it...but i think it is worth investigating...dont know if i will ever have any kind of fusion surgery...am still debating it...

best of luck with disability...it really is possible to get it first try, especially with a lawyer who specializes in disability cases!

jess