I was expecting this. I knew that they were at the end of the official period.
Nope. Didn't get it. They say I am capable of doing something less demanding. I can't figure out what that job might be. I was only working 30 hours a week, dropped down to 20 and couldn't handle that. It was a desk job, with a computer. No management. No meetings. I don't know what less I could do.
I can't stand for any length of time, or sit. I am hopeful that things will improve when I get my knees and shoulder fixed. But there's still a lot of problems left over. I fantasize about working again. I would really love to. Fighting for disability sure isn't any fun.
But now that I got the official denial letter I can make an appointment with either the Disability Advocate (this is free, but they have a 95% record of getting claims through. Or, I will hire a Disability Lawyer. I need to meet with the Advocate anyway to get help for other things. This gives me a ticket into them.
After I talk with them, I'll have to decide if they can handle it or a lawyer would be better. I'm relieved (though still disappointed) to get to this stage. It is the first milestone in the process. My Social Security Case Manager said that 95% of those processed by Tucson are denied the first time. That's because they don't have enough workers.
I hate to keep going with this. But I still have bone marrow problems and neuropathy. My spine has been actually swelling. So, I think I will just march ahead with this.
I just can't believe that they expect someone to work with pain levels of 9-10 and can barely move. I was talking to my mom about it. I can just see myself going in for the job interview and and the tremors starting. Yep, that'd go over well. I can see it now, "Hire the vibrating writer." Sounds really sleezing doesn't it? You think I should add it to my resume?
deanna sorry they turned u down. i hired a lawyer after the first time and they don't get paid unless they get ssd for u.like me u are under 50 so they will turn u down , then they will turn u down a 2th time then u will get to go infront of ssd judge, but that can take up to a year to see him. with good med records and when he see how u are at meeting he will give u ssd i'm sure of it.its stupid the way they make u go thru hell untill they give it to u.hugs to u and don't give up on it.Apply for a job at the Social Security office - make sure to note all the things they'll need to do to accommodate your disabilities, like a ten hour work week and working from home!
Do you think it would help if we gave these people a dictionary to look up the word "disabled"?
Just one more way the system screws the little guy. I wish it were easier, Deanna, but you're right - you really NEED to keep on going. You can't work. You can barely move. I'm not sure what they think they're accomplishing by punishing you. Even if you feel like giving up for yourself, keep fighting - it might help the people who come along behind you.Fiona, I keep telling myself that is why I must keep going. I worked too long as it was and I really feel like I have made myself nearly unable to care for myself.
I was thinking that just for pain and suffering, I mean if I was in an auto accident that left me with this kind of damage, I could get millions in damage for that. But because it is a disease that struck me, oh well, you can still work. But I really can't.
Lynk, that's a very good idea. If all else fails maybe I'll try that. I bet they make you sign some kind of confidentiality agreement though. Still it's a thought.
Lynk - I know someone who asked the ALJ for a position and mentioned the time off work for doc appts., the drugs that they need to take, the time off for being sick, the breaks every 15 minutes and the bed that would have to be available, etc. etc. and they were awarded! I don't recommend this but it was a true and kind of cute story.
Deanna - You must NOT give up! You worked and paid your dues into FICA and deserve the benefit now that you need it. I highly recommend an attorney or a firm that specializes in SSDI claims. I am at the ALJ point and hear that the fact that I turn 50 this year will help. I know that you will eventually be awarded but it just takes a heck of a fight.
I will lift up prayers for you so hang in there, they are hoping that you won't appeal.
I wish you could move to Wyoming. It is a very wealthy state being high in minerals and very low in population. The SSI state program while waiting for SSDI pays about 0 a month and the medical care is awesome. Of course the snow, wind and cold are rough but I just stay in.
Bonny, I would love to move to Wyoming or Montana. They are such beautiful places and I've never been there. Of course, Roxy wants me to move to Oregon. But I love wide open places. I'm writing a novel based in Montana.
Please tell me how you got your SSI because I think that's what they are screwing me up on. I applied for it at the same time as SS. But supposedly it goes to the State Department where they have been fouling up my General Assistance. I didn't know until just a couple days ago that my state's General Assistance is supposed to be on top of what you get for SSI. But I can't find out any information and I think I am being delibrately misled. I have calls into different people to find out the facts. But any info you might have would be really helpful.
The SS web site says that you can get SSI will applying, but it doesn't give any more info than that. The AZ web site doesn't mention it at all. Does that sound right?
It is an interesting question especially with the growing trend to put people on opiates for pain relief. They put me on morphine and I couldn't function at all, drive, talk straight. Even on Vicodine, I have to severely limit my activities. I used to sit at work on Vicodine and had my TENs machine attached. My pain level was a 9-10 all day long.
I reread the letter. They are disqualifying me for both SSI and SS. What am I supposed to do?
I think you are going to have to get an attorney Deanna. Get a good disability attorney and let him take on the battle. I think unfortunately this is the expected method. It shouldn't be, but it is.
We need to start a hippie commune in the middle of Utah or something. LOL *sigh* I wish I knew what we were all supposed to do.
Overthrow the government. Well, it seems like that's what it's going to take. They make me feel like I am such a faker or it's all in my head. And, they couldn't have paid any attention to my doctor's notes. It specifically says that I cannot walk, stand or sit for long periods of time. I think that they just ran up against the deadline and used a form letter.Okay. My mind wandered to the gutter....
I can think of a job you can do lying down...
OMG I'm kidding, you know that right????? Our ability to find an employer that will hire us along with our meds is not an issue in determining disability. The issue regarding meds would be how the side effects can disable our ability to do the work. Side effects must be detailed in the application or appeals.
Deanna - Is the 25% of back pay, only if they win your award, too much for you to pay for help in this fight? I use a firm started by a man that formerly worked for SS in the disability section. Their name is Allsup, Inc. and they make all of the calls, do all of the paperwork and will appear before the ALJ with you if it gets that far. They also assist in SSI filing. Let me know if you want their ph#. I checked with the BBB in their home office state prior to signing with them and they are a topnotch corporation. An attorney in your area will work also if there are any that file SSI and SSDI. Where I live no attorneys do SS work which is why I found Allsup.
Take care,
I saw a SPAM /adv from alsups on the left side of the arthritis insight one day while I was facing lay off! I actually looked them up. They sounded good. Thanks for the info Bonny!
Deanna hire the lawyer. I don't think you are well enough to fight for yourself. It really is worse for your health to hassle and fight than it was to work...
I just hired Binder&Binder. At least I'm in the process unless anyone knows any negatives about them. It feels really good because they will handle my appeal letter. The other place I talked to wants to put me on a waiting list and do my own appeal letter. I was also able to ask them about how to handle the General Assistance and state SSI. You are not going to be surprised at their answer, "Call your Congressman."
Maybe I will call their office before I finish my letter back to McCain because that involves a lot of disability issues. But that's a job for tomorrow. This baby is tired.
I am so glad that you have someone behind you in this process. The stress of that part you don't need to deal with anymore. They also keep in close contact with SS so that our appeals don't get lost in the shuffle.Since these experts think you can work...did they happen to let you knowlorster, no, they don't give you any idea about what kind of work I could do. They said I can walk, sit and stand which is false and indicates that they did not read my Rheumy's report.
I've racked my brain as to what I could do. I was already working about the least physically stressful job you could do. And the fatigue was too great, the spine pain too great. No, they did a quick and dirty and that's pretty obvious.
Lindy, thanks so much for giving me some info on them. 8 months sounds pretty good. I do like the fact that they are going to get back to me in 7-10 days, they research what problems that they have with SS in my area and that they want to do my appeal letter.
I think having them is going to be a big load off of me. Now, I can concentrate of getting better. I have so many doctor's appointments and procedures. And, I can get my stuff completed with the senator.
At least this step is over and we are on to the next one.
UGH. Sorry to hear you were denied. I agree with Katie. Let's start an RA commune lol.
I hope you have better luck with a lawyer. I just don't understand why it is so hard for us to get the SSI and SS when we are disabled, can prove we are disabled, and it's our money!!! It's not like you didn't pay your money into this!! It's like refund time. We get so excited thinking we are getting something from the government when it really is our own money we overpaid to them. We are just lucky they give it back lol.
Yes, we need something like a commune. Of course, I want a ranch. We could have some kind of retreate where you could go when you are first diagnosed or are being diagnosed with RA. There would be blood labs, MRIs, Xray machines and Rheumys. So, you could get all the medical testing done.
Then, there would be orientation meetings for both the patient and their families, financial counseling and health insurance classes. We'd have a big library of information. We could see demonstrations of adaptive tools and equipments. You know, a whole mixture of information.
Then we'd do the fun stuff. One-legged races, wheelchair contexts, cane fights. We'd have to have a big jacuzzi or hot springs (ooh, wouldn't that feel nice). How about a hot mud bath? And massage therapy for as long as you wanted it.
You could meet visiting doctors, ask questions and get some real information.
We could have a big veranda for sitting out in the most comfortable chairs imaginable and sipping tea (or whatever your favorite beverage is).
I think we should have a food fight. Most of us can move some parts of our bodies and the laughter would do us a heck of a lot of good.
Come on, what else do we need? Oh, and you come the first year and can return again to see all your friends.
Plus, we make the doctors work really hard and tell us the latest possible treatments. We also test them on what is the proper treatment protocols for RA because some of them don't know.
And, once a year, we would have a seminar just for GPs who seem to know so little about this disease.
Okay, I've figured out the perfect job for you Deanna. You can do phone sex! Wear a headset so you don't have to lift your arms, and then when you're talking to a "client" you can just stand up. As you start breathing hard and yelling "Oh, Oh Oh," the client will think it's something completely different!Yes, Karen, you are very, very sick. Deanna carefully backs away.
Funny though. You and Katie are in charge of that department.
Deanna, even if you expected it, it must have been a real let down to get the initial denial on the disability. One more thing that has to be fought for.
I'm glad you were able to find a law firm that will handle as much of the process for you as possible. There's that much more strength you can save for other things you need. My hope for you is that you'll get these big battles behind you, battles with the system, battles to get satisfactory diagnoses and treatment plans, and can save your strength for your self-care and your life. May this be the year for the tide to turn.
It is a let down even knowing it was bound to happen. It wouldn't be so bad if there was some way to support oneself in the meantime. I'm tired of fighting.
But I am so glad I've got friends supporting me. That's precious.
Deanna - I don't know if anyone has mentioned it but get and keep at home copies of EVERYTHING. It has amazed me the paperwork that SS cannot seem to find and I can just fax it right over. I think that it is just another of their tactics to delay our claims.
I'm pulling for you,
I keep copies of everything that I get my hands on. But it gets confusing since I am applying so many things. And costly. Glad I can deduct my expenses on my taxes.