Hi everyone i used to come here all the time a long time ago.. I think my nic then was Prizm.. Anyhoooo I lost my puter for a long time and all that good stuff.. Well my real name is Cheryl and i live in Texas and am at the hearing before the judge stage in my SSI appeal. I have a SSI lawyer this time and have been waiting now for 2 for my hearing to be set before the judge does anyone know how long that usually takes?? I am also now getting a divorce from my husband that will be final in July sometime..That will help my case right?? The divorce is happening anyway bu i hope it helps.. If i do get on SSI will they go back to the start of this process two years ago or back to my DX date, which was in 2000?? The reason I have to go for SSI was because I do not have enough work credits to go for the other one. I have asked my lawyer about the time and he said it's just whenever they (meaning SSI) get to it. He also said they will go back to the date i first applied which was 2 years ago in Aug...which i was hoping they would go back to the date of dx...lol...i know he is right but i had to throw it in. Right now i am in a drug study for my doc and the med is helping some and i will be on it til it gets FDA approval. But still having pain so my doc is putting me on a fentauyl patch but i have to wait til i get on our local clinic first and that should be on the 28th of this month.. anyhow have any experiances with that patch?? I know it is addictive but hey this RA and Fibro and the other nasties i have are not going away ..but i mean as side effects?? Thanks for your help all hugs Kit~
Hi Kit,
Is it State SSI or Federal SSDI that you have applied for? I have been waiting since June 06 for a decision on an "award of record" from the ALJ for SSDI. The average time it takes to get through the judge to an award for SSDI from the first application is 2 years.
I was told by the firm handling my case that they only go back for 24 months now. I had to stop working due to OA in 2001 but did not apply in an effort to get better. The firm handling my case said they could get the award on record if I would change my date to 24 months back as it will not make a difference in the backpay.
I hope this helps some.
Kit excuse my "brain fog" as I now see that you clearly stated it was SSI and not SSDI, lol.
Welcome back to AI Kit!!!
Doesn't ssi vary a bit by state? Anyhoo....yes, the divorce will help you as ssi is based a lot on income, assets yadda yadda. Your attorney should easily walk you through step by step. Unfortunately, ssi is a supplement so will not pay as well as ssdi (not that ssdi pays all that much either). It's really too bad you don't have enough credits to apply for both. I also believe that they will only go back 2 years maximum so I think you're out of luck there girlie. Of course, if you are approved for ssi, you should qualify for medicaid as well as some food stamp allowance. Kit make sure you wipe out those assets if you have any. Savings, 401k, Universal Life Insurance. I was always raised that you got those things by working hard and being responsible but they seem to be nasty ugly viruses when it comes to ssi. I'm not familiar with the patch...let us know how it works for you. Good luck to you on the ssi and keep us posted.
Peace & Love...Neasy
Hi Cheryl...welcome back!
You and I used to email eachother a few years back. Sorry to hear about your divorce.
I have no info on the ssi issue. But I have been using the fentanyl pain patch for a few months now. As far as any side effects go, the only thing I've noticed is it makes me very tired. I will say though, when I'm busy doing something, I feel rather energetic...but as soon as I sit down I feel like I'm going to fall asleep. As far as helping with pain. Well it seems to help a bit in the smaller joints, like my hands and feet.... but so far it's not helped anything like say when my hips are hurting. I need to talk with my doctor about that and see about going up to the next strength. The only thing that has stopped me from seeing about that, is I'm afraid it'll make me even more tired.
Nice to see you again , Cheryl...and good luck with the ssi!
Kelly