Social Security Disability For Ptsd

[Angelwings]

I know this has been brought up in the past, but I can't find anything recent about it. I recently applied for SSD and SSI and was wondering if there was anyone out there who is currently receiving benefits because of PTSD...I was on disability when I was a teenager but that was 16 years ago. I've held 4 jobs this year, all terminated because of my PTSD either directly or indirectly.

 

[wolfkitty]

Yes I am, what are you curious about?

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Yes, ask away!

 

[Angelwings]

How did you get qualified? Do you have any suggestions? Should I get a lawyer right away?

 

[wolfkitty]

I got a lawyer immediately. I was able to get one through the low income legal services. In Oregon they automatically deny everyone the first application out, but I didn't wait before I went and talked to someone.

 

[catjudo]

The rules and decisions are the same in every state...SSI and SSDI are federal programs not state. Many will tell you that they deny everyone the first application but that is not entirely true. Many, maybe even most, get denied the first time but certainly not all. The main key is documentation, documentation, documentation. Give them access to everything you can...the more doctor visits, hospitalizations, etc. that you can show evidence of, the more they have to help make their decision. I personally believe that hiring an attorney before you've even been denied is kind of a waste. You'll be agreeing to give part of your money to an attorney when you may not even need one. I speak from experience when I say sometimes people do get approved with their first application.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

25% of applicants are approved during the first round. You only hear about the rejects because they're vocal and pissed. I was approved within a few months with no lawyer. I wasn't able to work for almost two years. I had many long term hospitalizations and records going back 20 years.

 

[Angelwings]

I was approved the first time, when I was 16, but at that time I was in the hospital and my parents did it all. I haven't been in the hospital in 5 years, and don't want to go at all because my son is old enough that it would affect him. I have had to drop out of school a few times and have lost all of my jobs because of my PTSD. I'm just worried that they'll say I can work at some cleaning job or something like that...

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Have you been seeing a psychiatrist? I think that will carry a lot of weight in terms of documentation, plus you haven't been able to hold on to a job. The big key is medical documentation. I honestly think that the majority of claims are denied simply because there isn't enough documentation to support a disability claim.

At this point its a judgment call. If you have a bit of documentation, then you may want to try it without a lawyer. But, if you don't then maybe hiring a lawyer is the way to go. Yes, you could consult with one of those agencies that help people get on SSDI, but of course they are biased and will tell you that you should hire someone because they make money off of you getting approved.

 

[Alic3]

It's pretty much impossible to get it though if you haven't been to a doctor or T very much in your life
:( my case

 

[DharmaGirl]

I got approved in 4 months using a company called Allsup.com. A friend called them and they wouldn't take her on because she had too little to work with. At least they were honest with her. If they take you on, you have a pretty good chance of getting it.

 

[SeanCharles]

Hi! I am not currently receiving SSI because I am working, with the employment I have now and have maintained this employment, I am now paying into SSDI. Actually I was on SSI when I was hired by my employer. Although I wasn't on SSI because of PTSD, I was on the benefit because of other disabling factors which still affect my employment to a degree, the other issue here is that I make over the SGA (Substantial Gainful Activity) amount given that my position is a union job. I am currently working and with this last seizure I experienced last year, am wondering if I will need to quit working or remain employed not receiving Disability.