Another Social Security Question???

[jenglynn]

Hi Everyone!!

It has been about 2 weeks I think since I submitted my final paperwork. So now I am in the wait and see phase. Is there any general time frame to expect with the first submittal before we get a decision? Does it vary by state? I live in Wisconsin, by the way.

I have heard so many horror stories and while I find it hard to believe they would deny me, I have had several people that I know say they deny almost anyone and everyone on the first try. I'm 38, which I don't exactly consider "young" I guess in the world of SSDI it kind of is- which can go against you. I have a lot of serious medical diagnosis' but my doctors have also recently added "depression and anxiety". That worried me a little- thinking that I'd have to go through that whole battle again- the same one I went through trying to get diagnosed. I was approved right away- within a week from my Long Term Disability plan through my employer and they provide free legal counsel should I need it (it obviously saves them money if SSDI is helping them to pay) but it is the thought of having to go through this long process and added stress, appointments, doctors questioning me- it's exhausting to even contemplate. Managing my illnesses and just trying to get through each day is enough for me.

On a positive note, I did get approved for a program called Wisconsin Cares. They have a team (social worker, RN, and a personal advocate of my choosing) come evaluate me to determine what kind of care I need and they also provide an RN to manage my medical services, making appointments, getting specialists or tests approved based on what I ask for. They provide a monthly budget for therapies in the home, nursing, IV fluids, housecleaning, grocery shopping, etc. I can either let the program arrange everything or I can "hire" who I want to assist me, friends or family if I choose. This is a relief because I feel like all of this has gotten to be so much for my loving hubby- plus we have 6 kids to worry about as well and it seems our whole life revolves around this illness. I am pretty debilitated at this point so this program is really a need- pretty much bed-ridden and/or crawling short distances, or a wheelchair. I certainly hope I won't need it long. I realize someone (tax payers) are having to pay for this and I hope it doesn't cause any controversy... But I am very grateful that our family will be getting some help.

Thanks everyone!

Jen

[bruc]

It does vary by state.

[JenLR]

That's great that you have already been approved by your private LTD plan. My attorney told me that it is typically much harder to get approved by a private company for LTD than it is to be awarded Social Security. So, hopefully you will eventually be approved by both. For me, it took a few months for SS to deny me the first time. But at that point I had not been diagnosed, so I knew that it would not be approved. A few months later, I received my diagnosis from Mayo. It took several months for my private insurance company to approve me, but eventually they did. I ended up having to go before an administrative law judge in order to be approved for SS, but it was super easy and the judge told me right away that he planned on approving my case.

I know this whole process can be very stressful (especially when we're so sick!), but stick with it and try not to let it worry you too much. I'm actually an attorney, so if you have any general questions, I will do my best to help you out with them. Good luck!

[martiz]

I was approved in just under 60 days. But I had not been officially diagnosed with POTS yet. I was approved for ME/CFIDS and one other illness but I was so sick at the time that I never pushed to find out what the other illness was called. I am pretty sure it wasn't depression because I fought tooth and nail not to have that in my record and during the testing for disability (the psych evaluation, etc).

Depression is real and valid and I have no problem with people getting help or disability for this reason but I don't feel that I am depressed and I didn't want to receive disability for an illness I don't have.

I waited 4.5 years to apply because I kept thinking I would get better and be able to work again. I was in such brain fog that all I could do was fill out the application and I was just attempting to open a file. I was expecting a two year fight. If I had waited another 6 months, I would not have qualified. Yikes! I hate to think of where I would be.

I was in disbelief when I got the letter. I also have Home Health care. It works differently that yours but I get the same type of help. I also hope and pray that I can get some POTS help so I can be more independent.

Marti

[surfgirl14]

Hey. I am currently in the process right now. I am in Charlotte, NC and I applied in October 2011 and am still waiting. They are making me to a psych evaulation ughh dreading that becuz I know I have nothing mentally wrong it is pure POTS. They say they don't have enough info which I find hard to believe becuz my doctor did lots of testing and every little thing came out super positive for POTS. ugh it irks me I dnt wnt to go to a psychologist ( personally hate them) lol but good luck to you. I am thinking since they are going to get me evaulated and taking so much time to decide that they are really considering accepting me (I hope thats the case) . Anyways good luck to you , and wish you all the best.

Kayla

[martiz]

Hi Kayla,

I actually believe that my Psych eval was the deciding factor in my approval. I had had some testing done but not a lot of tests.

My psych eval was a neuro psych eval which showed the problems I am having with hand weakness. It showed brain fog and cognitive dysfunction.

The therapist had several manual hand tools which I was not able to use correctly (hand grip measurement tool, a button that you push as fast as you can (which I could not do without severe reaction).

I think you will be surprised - if it is a neuro psych eval. Perhaps you can call and make sure that it will be that kind.

Good luck.

Marti

[surfgirl14]

Hey. Yea it wasnt a neuro psych evaul it was just a regular evaulation with quesitons, and such. The girl literally told me though when we sat down ("idk why they sent you here, this is going to be a waste of your and my time") she also said that my doctor form Duke had good info they gave to disability yay! I just really hope they are going to approve me. I really need help with medical bills.

[Hummingbird]

Kayla, I live in Raleigh, NC. Who do you see at Duke? Do you like your doctor? I see a Cardiologist in Raleigh. He wants to refer me to Grubb or Vanderbilt. I have also applied for SSDI. I was denied, then appealed and denied. Awaiting another appeal.