Disability

How I Navigated the Social Security Disability Process

October 19, 2015 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: October 19, 2015

screen shot of the faces and facts of disability page

I’m on Social Security disability insurance (SSDI). Okay I said it, and, I’m also very thankful for it. I might sound somewhat perplexed, because it’s all new to me and isn’t what I had expected to deal with in life. Yet, I am realistic and understand that “things happen” to all people.

You hear about the horrifying, multi-year process involved when applying for SSDI benefits. These stories are in the media and everywhere, but I didn’t have to pay close attention, because I never expected I’d need SSDI.

I’ve always strategically planned for the unexpected. I’m a former corporate vice president of operations and international business leader of more than 30 years’ experience. My husband and I, together, had a significant income, owned a home in a country club, guard-gated community in Southern California, and were extensive travelers, etc. Then, the season changed – unexpectedly.

In 2012, I started to show medical symptoms from an old auto accident that had caused a brain injury. I had difficulty walking, memory loss, etc. My neurosurgeon explained what was occurring, and that major brain surgery was required for me to continue living. My first brain surgery was performed in July 2012; my second brain surgery in September 2012; and between 2012 and 2014, I underwent five brain/skull surgeries. My husband became my full-time caregiver, and our financial safety net was all compromised due to my health.

With that said, it was time to apply for SSDI. Friends recommended that I hire an attorney, but I went directly to www.ssa.gov and read the disability application requirements, and felt strongly that I could do it on my own via the website. I wasn’t in the best mental state to tackle an extensive application (I was in between brain shunt implant surgeries), but, was determined to apply for SSDI to help exercise my brain. When I got to the site, I found the SSA disability determination website amazingly user-friendly! I was able to, independently, apply online with the easy step-by-step instructions.  When my mind needed to rest, I was able to save my information and, the next day, continue from where I left off.  I did everything online — not once having to step foot in a field office to complete my application; and I received my disability benefits in four months!

What a decision to make! I always said that if I could work through the disability determination process successfully on my own, I’d publicly share my story to assist others.  I continue to fulfill that promise every day, and as it turns out, I’m not an anomaly.  The risk of disability is larger than we think: A 20-year-old worker has a 1-in-4 chance of needing disability benefits before reaching full retirement age!  So, after 30 years in the workforce and contributing to the Federal Insurance Compensation Act (FICA), I sure am glad my disability insurance was there for me in my time of need.

Honestly, I get tired of hearing the negative stories about SSDI. It’s time for everyone to hear a good truthful story about the Social Security disability determination process and how it works in favor of claimants and truly serves the public.

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About the Author

Jarita (J.D.) Davis, Social Security Disability Insurance Beneficiary and published author and blogger

Jarita (J.D.) Davis, Social Security Disability Insurance Beneficiary and published author and blogger

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Comments

  1. Linda R.

    I do have an attorney. It seems like he isn’t doing anything except wanting more info I had to stop working. The pain is unbearable. I am on narcotics to just function. I also have heart pill blood pressure pill. Sugar meds. My husband gets check for $776.00 month. He also has meds to take. We can’t hang on much longer. We have sold all we can . HELP

  2. Michele M.

    I recently was approved for SSDI disability benefits mostly due to a scary car accident but led to inoperable spinal stenosis. I can relate to having to adjust from many years as a working professional and now having to be less independent. I was so glad to see your blog. I hope you will be able to help me with my question as I keep searching and asking and get too much information without a definitive answer.
    If I try to do cleaning around the house and other household chores, my lower back will give out and worsen in pain and other parts of my body. I know there are caregivers but I just need a little help covered by my benefits. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I hate feeling like a burden to my family. Thank you. Michele

    • JD D.

      Michele, congratulations on your SSDI benefits. I would recommend taking “one day at a time,” and to not over extend yourself. Many local churches and non-profit organizations are available to assist and help, and it would be good to be “proactive” and contact them for assistance. They would be honored and blessed to help you. Best wishes.

  3. Jaxton

    I applied on line and it was very easy as well. But a month went by and nothing. I began calling the automated service to check on the status of the application. It still hadn’t been processed for intake. I take sa customer service person who told the Social Security that I was supposed to go to based on zip code. I had been in a very bad motorcycle accident and hit by car at 50 mph and thrown about 20ft into pavement and to make matters worse the ER doctor forgot to put orders in for bandage changing and wound care for my leg that was stapled up. The dirty bloody bandages stayed on my leg for over a week. I was unaware of the injury since I had broken my leg and it was under the ace bandages that wrapped around the splint my leg was and no one told of the injury. I was discharged without antibiotics and returned to the ER 2 days later with terrible pain in leg. they took off the splint and saw my leg for the first time and my foot which had been crushed in the accident. My leg was completely red and infected and my foot was all black on the side and I was told it was broken blood blisters. I said that is not broken blood blisters. I was admitted for cellulitis and and then tow days later the test for MRSA came back positive. 2 days later I finally see an infectious disease doctor who freaks out over the conditions I’m and has me surgery the next day where the surgeon had to remove 1/3 of my foot and accidentally exposed the bone and the mesa bacteria went inside. The MRSA is resistant to all but 2 antibiotics and it’s pretty incurable. I require IV Antibiotics when the infection flares up.
    I had top go to the SS office to go over my application. The line was out the door and was probably at least 30 deep. There was no I could wait in that line with crutches and and woundvac on my foot. Even though I had an appointment I was still expected to wait in the line. I went talked and let them know I was too handle that line. I was able to wait inside and I was sicker and sicker waiting and the pain was getting really bad. I finally met with a woman and we finished whatever the paperwork she needed to do and she said it would be done the next or her part would be submitted the next day I kept checking the phone status line and she hadn’t submitted anything. A week went by and still nothing. I was calling her directly. Nothing Customer serivce sent a message to her. nothing.. Then to her supervisor. Nothing. I said F this and went to a different Social Security office in a much more affluent area. There was no line. Not many people and nice waiting area. I saw someone within 15 minutes who took the paperwork I had and explained what had gone and how I was not getting anywhere with the application process. She took charge and told me she’d contact me if she had any questions. The next she have supervisor approve it and a a couple weeks I got my welcome letter. Only problem was Medicare. People think Medicare is great. Medicare is expensive. You have to pay for it out of your social security payment so that costs $330 for part A B & C. and that’s only 80% of what they cover so the other 20% you either pay yourself, if you have state Medicare that might pick up the difference. In my case in California I got a share of cost from Medi-Cal of $1300 a month. Which meant I had spend $1300 a month out of my pocket before Medi-cal would pay a dime. Now between Medi- cal that took most of my SSDI money. The other choice was to get the supplemental insurance policy which cost almost $600 a month. But they only cover what Medicare covers. My biggest expense is my IV medication @ $500/day. Medicare did not cover at home IV’s. Only if you had one of those Big ass machines in your home from the 70s which nobody used anymore. So I was still able to Cobra my company health insurance @ $900 a month. If I wanted treatment I had to cobra the health insurance. If you are Medicare eligible for disability or you’re on Medicare it is against the law for an insurance company to see you a policy. So think twice before going on disbility and make sure Medicare covers what you require. This is not a well known fact. So every month I had to spend $1800 on Health Insurance between Medicare the supplemental and the Cobra. I don’t remember why I had to have the supplemental when I had the Cobra but there was valid reason. My savings was going down quickly. 6 months after I got SSDI they made a mistake somewhere and I was dropped. And I was RELIEVED. I could now go and get a regular health insurance policy and save money out of my savings and now Medi-cal no longer had a share of $1300.
    My point in this story is my application wasn’t a nightmare but when I got on SSDI it wasn’t the paradise many people envision it to be. Check out what medicare covers and how much. And also check out what they don’t cover to see if you are likely to need any of that. And remember it’s only 80% and unlike insurance companies they don’t have a maximum out of pocket. Also remember it is against the law for an insurance company to sell you an insurance policy if you are on Medicare our even Medicare eligible. Unless it is the supplemental policy and that aint cheap.
    Sometimes, SSDI is a “be careful what you wish for” type of thing.
    For most people it works well. But for a certain percentage of us it doesn’t and just make sure in the right percentage.
    This was in 2015 so I don’t know if anything has changed since.

  4. Carolyn M.

    Ive been on ssd since 2008 and my property taxes are far to much for me to pay on a fixed income.i was told social security has a list of doctors to sighn off on my disability that i need to bring to county assessors? Im not understanding this do you know what i need to do?

  5. David P.

    For those of you are looking for a good forum to discuss the social security disability process check out http://ssaforum.com/forum/

  6. dorisene

    can a child 15yrs old that has type I diebeta get disability?

  7. Edwin S.

    how can i borrow money to ssa even im yoing but i finish the crredits 40 points

  8. Jimmy C.

    I am so glad you put out a positive story. I too had worked for many years making a very good income. My world ended the same way. A tragic accident, I lost all income and we ran out of money,emptied our nest egg and my wife now is the single breadwinner. Her income is not making ends meet. I did not,and have not received benefits. I have been told that I am approved but have yet to see an approval letter. My process is in the third year now. So I’m hoping to see the letter anytime now. My lawyer and the ALJ’s paralegal both tell me I’m approved just waiting on a signature. Thanks again for something good to read.

    • JD D.

      Glad to be of service and help others Jimmy. Best wishes to you and family.

  9. Randy F.

    PLEASE,contact me, I have to much to write, all of my family and friends want me to get help, ssdi has ran all over me. I have had bad lawyers, I’m looking for an angel 606-782-2587 or 606-78233688.please hear me out! Thank Yoy

  10. Ann

    Its great you were able to obtain your Disability. Todate, I have had two Lawyers turn me down in representation.
    One, When it was in the Reconsideration Level and now at the Hearing Level.
    It has been a struggle…..Its become a joke as the denials was not severe enough..
    12 months still have all the Multiple Impairments with two new ones. ????! Not sure what to do?

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