I Was Denied SSD Advice?

[hodge]

Well, everyone told me to expect this and to not give up, but it still felt devastating when I got the letter yesterday from SS denying my claim for disability. I've already talked to my caseworker who will help me appeal and assured me of a lawyer in the area who specializes in this, if it comes to that. I have a message in to my therapist. My husband can't believe it and said he wishes they'd grill him for an hour about my day-to-day functioning, or rather lack of.

I just so much wanted this to be over with. Yesterday I felt like giving up or just going to the lawyer to make this all go away, and I slept a lot. I'm getting to the bottom of my retirement fund and I'm so afraid of losing our house.

So far today, I'm feeling more resigned and a bit more ready for the struggle ahead. I thought I'd been through the worst of it, but that might be yet to come. I don't know. It's awful to be in a situation of convincing them I can't work when I don't want to accept that myself, but I have no choice.

I look again at the reasons for the denial - I "have been treated and evaluated" for my condition (as in the past tense, like ?), that I am "able to get along with people for a short period of time," and that I can "remember, understand and carry out daily activities." Huh? Didn't they read what I wrote?

They said that my impairments aren't severe enough for me to be disabled. What would be severe enough? If I couldn't get out of bed every single day?

They said that although I could not work at my past job, I could still work as long as the job was "simple and not stressful". Could someone tell me what kind of job that would be? What kind of job would let me do something for 15 minutes and then rest for a hour to try to recover from intrusive thoughts and flashbacks before I could do more? That's the only way I'm able to do any task, even ones I get some satisfaction from. And that's on a good day when I'm doing something by myself. What about all the days I can't push myself out of the house? Or brush my teeth, wash my face and get dressed? Or do anything? When I can't control the flashbacks and intrusive thoughts? Etc. etc.

I feel like they're telling me to do something that doesn't make sense and to do it even if it will make me more ill. And, oh yeah, if my condition gets worse and keeps me from working, to call or write them about filing another application.

I just don't get it.

 

[kers]

I'm sorry, hodge.

 

[Marlene]

Hodge,

I'm sorry, too. But it's almost an accepted part of the SSD processes to be denied the first time. Get yourself that lawyer who specializes to help you. This is so important to have someone who knows the laws and the ins and outs of the system on your side. The denial process is almsot a weeding out process to discourage the ones that don't need/qualify SSD.

My sister was terminally ill when she applied for SSD and they denied her claim the first time. Their reason...she was too young to be terminally ill. They're more like terminally stupid! When she got the SSD attorney and reapplied the second time, she got it. Don't give up! Keep trying!

I know it's hard and discouraging. Take this weekend to let yourself feel everything you're feeling...but come Monday get pissed go kick some ass!!!

Hugs and another hug
Lisa

 

[linasmom]

Hodge,

Just popped in and saw this and had to comment. I'm so sorry. I can understand how defeated that must feel, especially when it comes from someone who has no idea what you go through on a day to day basis.

I know you already know this but, keep trying - you have to appeal every single time and honestly - I would get that lawyer ASAP.

Best,
Rachel

 

[hodge]

Thanks for your support and understanding, guys.

Lisa, that's horrible about what happened to your sister. I'm so sorry.

Now I am even more tempted to just get that lawyer before even going through the appeal myself. I really do feel at a loss about the ins and outs of this system. That package just seemed full of jargon codes that I have no idea how to deal with.

Thanks again, you all gave me the oomph to actually wash my face and choke down half a sandwich just now. I'll take the small victories as I can :). I'll try not to agonize over this during the weekend, when I can't do anything about it anyway, except maybe look at the appeal form online, if I can handle it. I don't think I can do that yet. I think I'll be doing really well if I can get myself outside to weed the garden.

 

[Deleted member 541]

Hodge,


From what I hear on other boards, getting denied is standard for most people on their first try. I know you probably feel like shit, but please don't give up. Get the lawyer if you have to, but go for it again.

Hang in there....

 

[2quilt]

I wrote a post that's probably in the archives by now, about how I got SSD in 30 days. Do a search in this forum for 'entitlements' and read all the posts.

Don't give up, honey. They hope that you will give up so they don't have to pay you. They come up with stupid reasons and delay you over and over again. You deserve to get compensation, and so don't let that letter deter you.

 

[void]

They are all correct. They denied almost everyone as a matter of unofficial policy to see who will go away. It' so hard to fight those bastard but I believe you will pull it off!

 

[bratgrrl]

I was warned when I applied that I would be denied the first time, and for some reason I wasn't! I think it's because I have 2 therapist and a psychiatrist writing in.

Don't give up!!!

 

[JustJane]

While every case is different, be assured that only on very rare occasions is SSD awarded after the initial application. Keep at it, appeal and appeal and appeal again. Don't give up. I heard about a woman who kept applying for 6 years, one appeal after the other for 8 years before getting it. Just don't give in because that's what they want. They want to wear you down so you'll abandon the idea.

I am going through this, too. I can't stand without my cane fopre more than 10 minutes. If I am sitting, have to have my feet elevated above my hips. I can't really think of many jpbs that would allow that kind of posture. Doesn't make the US government look like they had much schooling, does it? I'm in your corner and appealing for the third time.

 

[blindspot]

Get an attorney, and really consider the amount of income that you obtained in one year, average it out over that year. If your income is below their standards, then that is the year you need to state as your start date of being unable to obtain substantial work(or your disability date). It worked for me. Although I wasn't able to sustain income for several years, when I was able to work off and on(as my symptoms allow me) those years did not qualify, even though I was right at the very low end of their standard. I was just $300 above it. When my attorney and I figured out which year I actually fell short of their standard, that is when I was awarded disability. They do look at the calculated standard of income obtained !st, then they look at your mental/physical disability.

Keep appealing and amending if you have to. I know how invalidating Social Security can impact us. Stay true to yourself, you know yourself better than anyone, and keep requesting.

 

[nie]

You could also google the company Allsup. That is all they do, and they have over a 70% success rate.