Anyone here have experience with applying for (and getting) disablility?

[GreenPartyVoter]

I think I may give it a shot, but I am overwhelmed at the prospect.

[Tobin S.]

1. I helped someone apply

It's not terribly difficult, just make sure you read all of the fine print and are okay with all of the background information that they will gather on you. They will tell you exactly what you need to do. If you get the information and application and are confused about anything on it and don't have anyone to help you out with it, I've heard of lawyers who will help you through the process, but I don't know how much they charge. But I think if you have a high school education and decent reading comprehension skills you'll be able to handle it. It can take a long time for them to reach a decision, up to 8 months in some cases if I remember right, so apply as soon as possible if you think you may need help.

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. What kind of background info? I don't think I have anything to worry about, except for signing

online political petitions. (I hope, though, that a background check of this nature won't affect my being able to continue volunteering to work with kids.)

[Tobin S.]

3. You don't have anything to worry about

They will probably obtain all the info they can using your social security number. I think what they are mainly conmcerned about is your work history and your medical records. They don't care about your politics.

[GreenPartyVoter]

4. The more I read about this, the less likely I think it will work. I am not poor enough for SSI and

I didn't work enough for SSDI. :( I was generally too busy hiding under my blankets.

[Tobin S.]

5. You won't know unless you apply.

Please apply if you think you will need assistance. The worst that can happen is that they will tell you no, and like I said, it's not terribly difficult to apply.

[GreenPartyVoter]

6. I will give it a try, thank you.

[Forkboy]

7. They will almost surely turn you down at first, because they do that to everyone.

It took me three tries before it went through, and this seems to be common. On the third attempt you can go before a judge for a hearing, and you can get free legal aid to help you with that. If it goes in your favor you will be given an amount of money retroactive to the day you applied (it took me two years altogether), and your lawyer will get a chunk of it.

It's a frustrating process, so patience is key.

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. Yeah, I read that. I am glad they finally helped you! *hugs* But I don't think they

will help me. SSI is for people who have no money or assets. I don't fit there. SSDI is for people who worked a certain amount. I never really did, so I think they will turn me down for that. Unless they have some other program for people who have been mentally ill all their lives and really never worked, yet who have some money and assets to their names, I think I am screwed. :(

[Fire Walk With Me]

9. I'm glad that you've gotten it!

I'm in a transitional living/sober living environment and some of the folks are going after SSI or SSDI. I've seen one get it in one shot, from simply having gone to the SS office and filing for himself. I've seen someone who has had seizures right there in front of me, get denied (the paperwork for some reason did not include "has seizures" in it!) so yes, you must take care to give them everything they want. You can phone and ask for explanations and if they need anything at that time; they'll give you a timeline of actions.

greenpartyvoter, if you've indeed been hiding under your sheets literally and figuratively, you must give it a shot. Don't worry about rejection in any form. It's merely a function, it's not personally related, and indeed, you can immediately challenge any rejection (and you have to, in order to keep it current; the abovementioned back payment is figured from the time of your -first- application, and so long as you keep challenging any rejections, that date and your file remains current. You can take a while to get it (or not), so keep everything moving as they request. A single missed appointment or call is enough to get your process cancelled. I'm on it, I know that you can as well. Sometimes they ask you to see their doctors; I'd been to enough doctors that they simply sent me a "we need more information/describe yourself/describe your average day" document, and I added to it as I felt necessary. If you are applying, now is the time to tell them about any problems you face, which you may not have previously mentioned even to a doctor.

I've also heard some folks say that if you claim to hear voices, you'll get fast-tracked. I told them I'd heard this and my agent laughed; they know the drill and you'd just risk being referred to a psych doctor and being put on more meds!

My best to you all, may you have a simple and easy process. (Edit: Ask them any and all questions you have; this can be a difficult conversation because you don't yet know their language and requirements, so it pays to ask and ask again! hugs..)

[sakabatou]

10. I've had experience

Hell I got in today. It took a lil while with some help.