Are You On Disability For Ptsd?

[Ben223]

I went out on medical retirement 4 years ago, and then had a year of staying in the house and watching my life dissolve away. I then had the opportunity to fill in as a secretary and it went well. I have worked there for 4 years now. I might not look like the typical secretary, but it has become my life. I rather be at work than at home now, since at work I don't have to worry about what to do...I know what to do and have a great boss for the first time in my life. I just don't think the boss would understand if I started working weekends just so I felt better. I like to be home when my son is with me, but if it's just me, then it's liking having pandora's box sitting next to me. Work is great, especially when you find the opportunity to be creative in the work place and ideas are not just thrown to the side like in the government sector.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Huh. I wonder if it's easier to get approved if your monthly payments are lower. It would make sense given a cash-strapped system.

I kinda find it hard to believe I'm 1 in 100. Slight exaggeration in the denial rate?

 

[Shellbell]

I'm already planning for being turned down. It seems like you get turned down in the first instance and IF you then appeal etc, you might actually be a 'deserving' case. So, planning my appeal and then I won't be so upset if/when I do get my application rejected.

 

[Km09]

I applied several years ago for PTSD as well as some physical issues. I asked my attorney to cancel the claim about two months in.. because I believed I could push it all back in my memory, like I had done before, and get on with my life.. My attorney recognized that I was not thinking logically based on my level of disability and she continued to fight for my disability.. After being turned down and then having a hearing August of 2012, I recieved a fully favorable letter last week. I am both thankful to my attorney for recognizing that I was unable to make a decision in my best interest and I am sad that I am no longer able to go to work and support myself like I have for 38 years of my life. My best suggestion to everyone is to take your meds.. face your issues and continue to visit your counselor as often as they feel you need to be seen. I wish I had of done what was recommended a few years back..

 

[quaintpapercut]

I applied for ltd through my insurance provider a couple of weeks ago. Hopefully I'll know soon as my short term disability is up in the next couple of weeks. It's put me in a bit of a tizzy actually because I don't know what I'll do if I'm denied as I don't have the capacity to work at the moment.

 

[AS1975]

One of the truly horrible things about PTSD is that it is a legitimate disability for the purpose of discriminating against a person suffering therefrom, and is not considered a legitimate disability for the purpose of not being able to find work (in many cases). That just means that a lot of people are screwed from both ends and it is far from fair. I'm disabled as a result of helping others, that kinda sucks.

 

[Shellbell]

My application for disability pension was turned down. They fully accept I am incapable of work now and have given me a pension concession card, but don't accept I can't work for the next 2 years. And they won't take into account that I've been unable to work for the last 10 months. I should have applied 10 months ago. Apparently, I 'may' be able to work in say...22 months, so that's a reason to turn it down. When in fact they could agree to granting it now - with a review in 24 months time.

So, I'm appealing and had to get another confirmed diagnosis from a psychiatrist this week. I have to jump through all their hoops - no matter how psychologically damaging that is.

My doctor at my counselling centre, my therapist and the psychiatrist are all helping me appeal.

 

[Bill Dickerson]

Is there a pay difference in the Pension Card and full disability? We don't have that system where I'm from.

Can you take the funds from the card until the appeal is processed?

 

[Shellbell]

I'm in Australia. The pension card just entitles you to reduces costs for medication, transport and some utilities. They have agreed to short term complete incapacity to work, as it is very clear I am unable to work.

I think while I'm entitled to that card (mine expires in 6 months time), I may be entitled to extra family assitance and child care rebate costs. Not totally sure about that though.

My doc wants me to apply for sickness benefit in the meantime, but that is alot less than disability. I think as my husband graduates police acadamy and his income will increase - not much though, I won't be entitled to sickness benefit.

But if they agreed to a disability pension, I would get a small amount of that pension, plus it would then entitle me to full family assistance and full child care rebate long term.

 

[Bill Dickerson]

I can see how it would be a problem with only reduced costs. You still have to eat and pay for fuel. I know here in the states most of the time they make you jump through hoops too.

Most are turned down the on the first request and an appeal is almost always needed.

Unfortunately PTSD doesn't show so many think your not hurt.

 

[Shellbell]

You're right Bill, it's an invisible illness.

The woman - mental health nurse - who did my 'job capacity assessment' told me she would recommend I be granted disability pension and reviewed in 2 years, she could see I was clearly a mess. But, the 'assessment team', who have never met me, disagreed with her, and my doc and turned it down.

It's all bureaucratic crap that makes life very difficult. But their 'hoops' are due to all the arseholes who claim they have PTSD and don't, who claim they can't work when they can, that make life harder for the genuine cases.

The main reason I applied for disability is because I need to pay for my long term therapy and that will be almost impossible on my husbands first year police wage. And if I don't get therapy - I will probably be unable to work for the rest of my life, as my PTSD and depression is so severe. So it's in their interests to help me out financially so that maybe in the future (which will no doubt be years away), I will be able to work. But they don't think pro-actively. They just make it hard.

 

[AS1975]

Shellbell, I would strongly suggest you contact your local MP and Senator's. I did when I was originally knocked back for the DSP and I was granted the pension within a month of the Senator contacting them.