Questions About Social Security Disability...

[Katherine F]

Oh and I also have a a record of clean UA'a from the past 18 months plus the cleans UA's I had in treatmemt as well.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Don't pick and chose which records to send. Have them ALL sent. Fortunately my family kept excellent medical records for me, so when I was at my worst and applying, they knew where to get all of my records. My biggest concern for you is whether or not you have worked enough. I think there are online calculators for this. You say you've worked on and off, so we can't make a judgment call as to whether or not you've worked enough. But, hopefully you have.

 

[DharmaGirl]

If you go online to social security, there is a chart that tells you what qualifies. PTSD with destabilization got me right in. I used Allsup.com and I got it right away.

 

[Katherine F]

I worked a total of 5 years solid probably. I didnt graduate high school so I worked as a server and a bartender. Even if its just temporary help for a couple years would be nice.

 

[onesie]

Dharmagirl, what is destabilization with ptsd? I have not heard of this before.

 

[DharmaGirl]

When you fill out your application, don't say things like - you can only sit for 30 minutes at a time, then say you spend 2 hours at a time at the computer. You would need to say - I spend 2 hours at the computer, but I have to get up and walk around for 5 minutes every half hour. Everything has to match. List all of your symptoms, but if there could be any question on anything, explain. That's why it's easier to hire a company like Allsup. They charge a fee only if you get it, and they will get all the paperwork from all the docs and therapists etc... They will also tell you if they don't think you will get it.

Here is the link to Social Security disabilities. http://www.socialsecurity.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/AdultListings.htm It lists the main disabilities.[DOUBLEPOST=1400728911,1400728773][/DOUBLEPOST]

destabilization with ptsd?

It just means you are unstable for a period of time. I had 3 hospitalizations in 2 months, that is destabilization. It's not a diagnosis, it's just a descriptive adjective.

 

[Katherine F]

Dharmagirl, what is destabilization with ptsd? I have not heard of this before.

I'm not sure what you mean. I've been suffering from PTSD and a few other things for over twenty years of trauma and for me, and obviously for some other people, its something that you cant just "get over" or deal with. Although I've tried MANY times I cant just put on a happy face or go about my day like some people can. I struggle from the moment I wake up. Its not something I just think about once or twice a week or even a day. Its dozens of times a day.

 

[catjudo]

My biggest concern for you is whether or not you have worked enough. I think there are online calculators for this.

Even if she has not worked enough to qualify for SSDI, SSI is still an option. SSI is for people who do have a qualifying disability but have not worked enough to qualify for SSDI. It is considered need based, there are limits on the amount of income/assets one can have, and the amount a person receives for SSI is less than SSDI but it is at least something.

I don't know if it will be an issue or not, but the thing that worries me is a lack of recent work history/attempt. When was the last time that you worked or tried to work? If it's been several years or more, I just wonder if that will become an issue.

When I applied for SSDI my documentation not only showed all of my treatment and multiple hospitalizations, but it also showed my attempts to work and how my illness was interfering with those attempts. I think it was the whole picture that allowed my application to be approved so quickly.

 

[DharmaGirl]

I'm not sure what you mean.

I'm sorry for the confusion, I just meant that since I had 3 hospitalizations in 2 months, I was very unstable, and highly suicidal, so I got approved quickly. That doesn't mean you have to be like that, I just meant I was totally out of control.

Its dozens of times a day

Of course it is, it is for most of us. I wasn't implying that you weren't symptomatic, I was just telling my story. You seem to have enough documentation to prove your case. If you go to Allsup.com, they will answer your questions and tell you if you can't apply for SSDI because of your work history. Then they will tell you to apply for SSI. Good luck.

 

[Katherine F]

Sorry I totally read that wrong!:(