Average length of time for disability approval | Arthritis Information

 

I am getting ready to file for disability.  What has everyones experience with the amount of time it takes to get approved.? I know they always turn you down the first time but after that how much longer does it take for appeal.  I am going to have to quit my FT job because it is over the 940.00 mo that NC allows.  So I am going to borrow from mine and my husbands 401k to hold us over.  Just trying to see how much I will need to get out.

After being denied twice, I got a social security disability attorney. It was then supposed to go to court and the judge approved it before we even got to court. He approved it from the evidence and reports from my doctors, and he didn't know why it had been denied in the first place. Thank you, I called several the other day--boy are they rude.  I was told they will not even see me until I have been denied once and some said twice.   Guess disability claims are not big money makers for them.  Looks like I may need a loan to get by also :-(Not everyone gets denied the first time. I got through -- on my own with no attorney. I had good medical evidence and was very thorough with their questions. It took me 9 months -- but here in Kansas, it's 18 months or more -- a real crying shame. I filed, was approved and received my back pay in 62 days.  So not everyone gets turned down the first time.  I had plenty of medical information that included medical notes recommending disabilty more than a year before I stopped working.  My surgeons have placed substantial restictions on me which impacts my activities of daily life.  I did have an advocate provided by my private disability insurance company

Shame on you and this forum!

AchingAudrey2008-11-30 11:45:02I hope I have as good of luck as you guys did. I appreciate your reponses, this is all very helpful.  I am getting my letter from my Rheummy Wed and then I am going to present it to my workplace hoping they will bump me down into a PT position and put someone in my place instead of showing me the door. I am currently a Lead Worker and they are not going to be happy, hopefully they are understanding.   Just trying to get all my ducks in a row before I do this.  My husband is worried that I am going to use all his retirement money too.  If they bump me down to part time atleast we will have some income and still be able to apply, and hopefully get it on my own.  Linda, I was denied twice, once when I was 17 and the other when I was 21. Then I gave up and decided I was going to get better, which I just slowly went down hill from there. I was denied because I didn't have enough work credits. I took off four years to take care of my mom that went blind because of diabetes and also had cancer. Then she passed and my dad had cancer and I took care of him until he died. SO I didn't have enough work credits and not eligible. You have to have so many consecutive credits. 14 I think, but not sure. I had lots of credits from years before but they have to be recent. SO don't wait too long to apply. Also you have to make at least ,000.00 to be considered a credit for the year and the only job I can do is for my church and I only make 00.00 a year and so I'm still not eligible. SUCKS!! I can't win. Then my husband makes like .00 over the limit for any kind of social help. I sounds awful and I would never do it, but I would be better off divorced and on welfare to get medical and some kind of help. I've been married for 21 wonderful years and would never divorce my man for money! I only have 9 work credits. If I had more work credits I could get SSDI. I only receive SSI. But they are both approved by the same findings and all. What's the difference between the two? I'm cornfused. Can you help me out and explain. Is one for disabled people and the other for ???????

SSDI is Social Security Disability. It is just what it says. Anyone who is disabled can apply for and receive Disability, regardless of assets, or how much your spouse makes.

SSDI is only available to people who have worked and in the recent past.  If you've never worked or your working experience is more than 5 (I think thats the cutoff) years old then you are not elgible for ssdiI dont think I have a problem with being able to apply, I have worked since I was 14.  I make way over the minimum allowed amount working Full time.  I am unable to continue working FT so my Dr wrote me a note to work PT for now.  The amount at that point would be low enough for me to be under the 940.00 per month allowed.  I start Remicade Tues so I am going to wait and see how it works, if no relief will give letter to my boss and hope they go for the Part time hours and not show me the door.  I know its a big chance but I cannot continue FT unless the REmicade turns out to be a miracle drug.  If they allow PT and it is still too hard then I will go for disability.  Or if they show me the door I will have no choice but to apply.   I hope my plan works. It took a long time for my SSD to be approved.  I worked for a government agency and got approved by them for a disability pension in two months time.  Getting approved by Social Security for SSD took way longer.  I applied Sept 2003 and finally got approved April 2006.  I had two denials, got a disability attorney and was finally approved at my adm hearing.I have a question for all of you. What kind of physical shape were you in by the time you got the disability approved? Do you literally have to be in a wheelchair before you qualify? Or is it a combination of factors? lorster2008-11-06 21:57:46

I was awarded full SSD within a year from applying.  Think it was about 8 months.  I started the filing with a disability attorney.

Lori, when I applied I had resigned from my position and was virtually homebound.  During my wait for SSD symptoms were relieved but I was still very swollen, inflammed, had damage and pulmonary complications from RA, bone on bone with my knees.  SS required a physical exam by one of their "expert" physicians.  I had to use my cane to get around, was still swollen and inflammed, on large doses of steroids and seeking a combination of dmards and bios that would alleviate the symptoms.   I felt I was awarded rather quickly and without much hassle but I had extensive medical files, doctors who supported me 100%, and had tried multiple combos of meds with little results.   Lindy

 

Do you have to periodically go through exams through the years to prove that you are still disabled?

I was wondering about that also wanttobeRAfree.  I'll bet you have to. Maybe someone will know.   My other biggest fear about filing is that I am afriad they will look at me and say like everyone else "you look normal to me"  I ligaments are swollen in multiple places and I am in pain 24 hours a day but how do they know what I am going through?   I am afraid to quit my job and end up in financial ruin before I ever get approved. 

I cant afford to quit. However I only work 3 days a week. My sister have had our own business for 22 years. I am confused. Could I get disability and still collect on my assets?

An Attorney could best answer that.  I was told by one that (in NC) you cannot make more than 940.00 per month before taxes and still apply.  I make more than that so I am stuckOnly an attorney who specializes in SSD can answer your questions.  It's really best to get advice from them.   Pain is only part of the equation and it's a very complicated process that SSD uses to make a decision.  Lindyafter about 3 years  I got a letter from SSDI asking if there was any change in my condition (cardiomyopathy) I stated it was stable, but since  applying for SSDI I had developed severe RA and was unable to do  the most basic of Activities of Daily living, including wiping my own rear and using feminine hygine products. I never heard from them again.
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