Reply #3: Another delay for SSD or SSI is that [View All]

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there is a major shortage of judge advocates and other employees. The GOP freezes and downsizing has affect SSA a lot. On the judge advocates it is hard to find qualified people at the pay rate offered. (How many lawyers do you know that would work on a Federal employees salary?)

During the Bush admin. there were directives from the political appointed top to deny as many people as possible. There were many long time SSA employees that hated what the Bush Admin tried to do to SSA. Many retired if able and others left for the private sector. Many of those that left to go to the private sector earn 3 to 4 times as much salary than they got working for the government.

Also how a doctor (yours and/or theirs since you are allowed to use a doctor of your choice) fills out the paper work matters, A LOT. It can be the difference between acceptance and denial. Should you be denied you should get a lawyer that is skilled in SS disability cases. It can and does make a difference when going through the appeal process. If you are found eligible during the appeal process they will pay you back pay to the date of application if not over 2 years. As for drug testing recipients, many recipients are drug addicted, some recovering some not. There is a lot of science about the brain damage that can occur and though the right would love to boot you off for drugs it is considered a disease.

When you do get SSD or SSI you have a 2 years waiting period before you can get Medicare if you qualify. It can be backdated to application too but many do not realize you have a wait. (I don't know what the reasoning is there, makes no sense to me.) Many on SSI will qualify for Medicaid as you can never have more that $500.00 at any time. (Watch bank accounts carefully.) I have seen people able to save money on SSI, don't know how but it can really screw thing up if it hit that 500 limit.


I do not work for SSA, I was just raised by a SSA employee and get hit with so many questions from people I've learn to read their site well. It is all online to find for anyone that needs the info.

http://www.ssa.gov/