Questions About Social Security Disability...

[Katherine F]

I am curious if anyone has any info about being eligible for benefits who suffer from PTSD. I'll give you a little backround about me: I was sexually abused as a child by a step parent until I was 13. My father went to prison when I was a small child and I haven't seen him since. I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was about 14. When I was 15 I was raped. I have been in 3 long term relationships that were all physically, mentally, verbally, and economically abusive. I've struggled with addiction for many years...even lost custody of my 3 older children because of it. I got pregnant with my 4th child and can happily and proudly say I have 18 months clean on the 28th and now have my 3 older kids back in my life. I still have ADHD as an adult and take medication for it. I was diagnosed with PTSD about 4 years ago. I see a counselor and do a trauma therapy group but I have a hard time with my PTSD because I have panic attacks and I feel like I cant go anywhere out of the house sometimes. My hyper vigilance is unbearable. I cant sleep at night. And my ADHD just makes it all worse at times! Sorry if that sounds crazy but I'm just curious on your opinions. I struggle with the idea of a job. It scares me to death!

 

[Seasounds]

Check with your local Social Security office, for the most realizable info. I know:
-you need to be a certain age. (62-65?
-you need to be evaluated by SS to be unable to work.
-ill look for others who know more.

There is a good company called Alsup or Allsup , that helps people see if they qualify. Theirwebsight may be all you need.

 

[Katherine F]

Thanks I will. I do know that you can be any age to receive SSDI as long as you qualify. I worked from age 18 on and off till about 23. I'm 28 now so its been a few years.

 

[Katherine F]

I am going in on Thursday to have another mental evaluation. I've had at three in the last 4 years. My end goal is just to figure out what is best for me and my kids. If I cant work I need help, or even if I can eventually work its going to take a lot more of something to make it happen. Its been 3.5 years since I left the most abusive man I was ever with. And even though I did 6 months of inpatient treatment and over a year and still going of outpatient, I am still an emotional wreck. I struggle with the idea of applying for SSDI. I feel that because I'm 28 I should be normal and work like everyone else. The trauma I experienced as a child was biggest cause of all the bad choices I made and all the problems I have now. I know I will never be 'cured' of PTSD, or ADHD. I will never be able to block out the painful memories of the people who hurt me or the damage I did to others because I suffer from these things. My whole life until about 18 months ago was a complete chaotic mess. Now that I am clean and sober...the symptoms have changed. I isolate, and cant stop thinking about all the insanity of my past and future trip, Gosh now I'm ranting! Sorry its just that I don't vent to anyone except a professional who doesn't know what PTSD or ADHD feels like!

 

[catjudo]

Depending on how much you worked, you may be eligible for SSDI but even if you haven't worked enough for SSDI there is also SSI. It is possible to get disability because of PTSD but it can be a long process. Many are denied and have to appeal one or more times before it is approved. Some can get approved the first time. The key is documentation...documentation from your doctors, therapists, inpatient visits, etc. Documentation showing that you've attempted to work and were unable to because of your disability. The more documentation you can provide, the better your chances of getting approved.

 

[Katherine F]

Thanks! Thats my plan if I decide to go through with it. I will ask the psychiatrist Thursday her thoughts on it. I have well over ten years of documentation but the question really is if I ever will be well enough mentally to work. Right now Im definitely not.

 

[onesie]

I am in the same boat you are in. Similar past experiences too. Wow! I am so sorry, for what you have been through. It is possible to get past it. I am doing it now. It helps to have positivity, and a lot of loving support. It's so hard to change the patterns. Tell yourself that you can. You are strong my dear. You got away. Now, its your time to heal, and strengthen yourself. I am fighting, for my disability, as well. I wish you the best. I am here, if you need any encouragement. Stay positive. ;) Oh, I also suffer with ptsd. Mine is c ptsd, to be specific. You are not alone.

 

[catjudo]

but the question really is if I ever will be well enough mentally to work.

In terms of qualifying for SSDI or SSI, you don't have to prove that you'll never be able to work again, just that it will last more than six months. Even after you've been approved for disability the SSA will periodically review your case and give you an opportunity to provide updated information so they can determine that you still qualify. The frequency with which they do this varies depending on an individual's history and circumstances.

 

[Justmehere]

I was awarded SSDI at age 28. Most people who have worked less than 10 years get SSI which pays about $721 per month and has asset limits (can own property over a certain value or have too much in the bank).

With 6 months inpatient, I'm guessing you would qualify. Most social security attorneys give free consults and could help evaluate the strength of your case for free. All social security attorneys work on contingency when they take a case - they only get paid if you win, and they get paid a percentage of back payment, not payments you would get moving forward.

It was very hard for me to accept disability. One of the things that helped was knowing it gave me a little extra space to heal and work hard in therapy to get better. I now am on a plan to slowly go back to work, and I still get SSDI while I try and continue working in therapy too.

 

[Definitely..maybe]

I recieve ssi and am working on my ssdi. I am also pretty young, so I didn't expect to be approved but I was approved first time without a lawyer. It's a rough process but definitely worth it! If you have any questions just ask:)

 

[Lionheart]

I was approved for SSDI and SSI the first time without a lawyer, but I had 10 years of medical documentation from the state I live in to back me up and I am sure that helped me to get approved for benefits.

I applied for disability benefits at the direction of my therapist (who also backed me up that I was unable to work) and I've been disabled with PTSD and Major Depression since the year 2000.

The longer you have worked, the more you have paid in Social Security, the greater your benefits will be. I went to the local state university for my psyche evaluation and think that this helped to get me approved as well.

Good luck with your efforts,
lionheart777

 

[Katherine F]

Thank you all! That is comforting to hear. I have a psych. evaluation record from 2011, medical records from the treatment program I was in, medical records from the outpatient I am in, one from my Dr. as well as the one I'm about to do tomorrow. I also have a record from my kids' counselor who does our play therapy. I'm wondering if I should get records from my CPS worker as well? In the state I live in I currently receive TANF (welfare) and part of their rules is that in order to receive state cash benefits you have to find a job by doing their 'Jobs program' which is 5 days a week. Well, I don't have to do it because according to my social worker I am still currently "disabled" and have 2 more years before I have be evaluated again. I only get $435 a month. I have full custody of my 1 year old son and my 3 older children come to visit on the weekends. I started using cloth diapers, and other things to that nature because I have to budget my money VERY carefully. I don't drive (or leave the house much for that matter!) so I don't have to worry about the cost of that. So what kind of information besides medical records do the Social Security office ask for?