How I Navigated the Social Security Disability Process
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: October 19, 2015
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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Tags: Disability, online services, social security, SSA
See CommentsAbout 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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Karen p.
My question is; I am applying for SSDI I have a 401k as a civil servant and standard private IRA Annuity. I have read enough to understand these assets should have taxes taken on them, but mine weren’t. Does anybody know what the SSA considers the best time to eliminate assets such as these? I have supposedly a good lawyer and they won’t answer any of these questions.. I am researching this on my own.
Joseph P.
I am very ashamed to even mention this but I was a Opium addict (Heroin) Please try not to “stereo type” me. I know it’s hard but I have been clean for over a year however I do need methadone for maintenance help. I am 66 years old and I am so happy to be clean at least from illegal drugs.I do feel good about myself for the first time in a long time. The clinic I go to here in Escondido, Ca. in December put up a notice that to leave a copy of my SSI card because they are going to start letting me pay with medicare.It was great news because they just went up from $270 a month to $360 per month.My wife and I Income is to high for Medical and I have to pay out of pocket, It was hard paying $270 and now with the increase it will be very hard, I keep asking when they will start and no one knows. I have already paid in January and will pay February tomorrow, Is it going to be possible until they get set up to send you a receipt and maybe get reimbursed ? Please e-mail me and let me know and if by chance it is OK please let me know how to do it, Where to send and exactly what you need, I wish I didn;t have to ask for your help because it was my stupid self that got me in this, Please try to help if possible. Thank You Joe Paladino.
Goin T.
1stly…this IS NOT W. TAYLOR…IT IS HIS WIFE. CROOKS IS HOW I SUM IT UP. MY HUSBAND NEVER KNOWS IF ITS DAY OR NIGHT OR WHAT DATE IT IS OR DAY OF THE WEEK. AND HOW, SINCE ..NO MATTER WHAT THE CROOKS SAY, HE CANNOT WORK…HOW IS HE SUPPOSED TO GO TO MORE DOCTORS FOR DRASTIC THINGS IF WE ARE SO BROKE WE CANT AFFORD IT!?!?! ITS A RIGGED SYSTEM …HE CANNOT FUNCTION. APPARENTLY THEY WANT HIM TO END UP IN THE HOSPITAL AND ALMOST DEAD. …BUT I KNO SOMEONE WHO GETS THIS “HELP” BECAUSE THEY HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE!?!? HE HAS CRIPPLING ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION…AND THESE PEOPLE DO NOT CARE….OH…I KNOW! HES A 44 YEAR OLD WHITE MAN. …WELL THAT EXPLAINS IT…..I GUESS! THANKS FOR SLOWLY KILLING MY HUSBAND OF 13 YEARS! WONDERFUL…LUCKILY I KNOW A JOURNALIST OR 2 AT BIG PAPERS THAT CANNOT WAIT TO DIG INTO THE 6 YEARS OF HIS PSYCHIATRIST’S AND LICENCED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR’S RECORDS….CATCH 22 ..
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Frank W.
My experience with Social Security Disability has been far from what it should be. I was medically removed from my federal job and career and medically retired. I applied for SSDI and was rejected despite my condition being officially accepted under SSA’s guidelines.
I have severe COPD and Asthma resulting from working in a toxic environment (federal building in poor repair and maintenance) and 42% of normal lung function along with multiple other conditions. I have had to fight Federal Workers Comp for years and now have to fight Social Security for benefits due me. I know this because I started my Federal career employed and a Technical Claims Examiner and worked in an SSA Office of Hearings and Appeals. Straight from SSA’s Bluebook of disabling conditions and criteria used in determinations (https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/3.00-Respiratory-Adult.htm)
Disability Evaluation Under Social Security
3.00 Respiratory Disorders – Adult
3.02 Chronic respiratory disorders due to any cause except CF (for CF, see 3.04) with A, B, C, or D:
A. FEV1 (see 3.00E) less than or equal to the value in Table I-A or I-B for your age, gender, and height without shoes (see 3.00E3a).
Table I: FEV1 Criteria for 3.02A
Table I-B Age 20 or older
FEV1 less than or equal to 1.85
My FEV1 Results:
FEV1 from PFT Testing done 08/13/2019 Ref: 3.90 Pre: 1.64 Post: 1.64
FEV1 from PFT Testing done 02/26/2018 Ref: 3.76 Pre: 0.99 Post: 1.31
OR
3.03 Asthma . (see 3.00I), with both A and B:
A. FEV1 (see 3.00E1) less than or equal to the value in Table VI-A or VI-B for your age, gender, and height without shoes
Table VI: FEV1 Criteria for 3.03A
Table VI Age 20 or older
FEV1 less than or equal to 2.45
My FEV1 Results:
FEV1 from PFT Testing done 08/13/2019 Ref: 3.90 Pre: 1.64 Post: 1.64
FEV1 from PFT Testing done 02/26/2018 Ref: 3.76 Pre: 0.99 Post: 1.31
My FEV1 results are clearly below SSA’s own Bluebook of disabling conditions and criteria used in determinations, yet they have continued to deny my disability. While working at SSA in the Hearings and Appeals office, I watched people come in for hearings in wheel chairs, get approved and ponce they got back downstairs to leave after getting approved they suddenly were able to walk and even fold the wheel chair up and put it in the trunk of their car. The wholes system is BS. I should have been a crack head, since they can get approved for it easily because they choose to be drug addicts. I choose to work over 40 years and pay into a system just to have to fight to get what is rightfully and legally due me.
Gary L.
It is Extremely SAD that this wonderful good news SSDI story above does NOT equally apply fairly favorably supportively justly to SSI benefits for ill disabled suffering struggling impoverished destitute renter citizens harshly unfairly inhumanely denied SSI benefits based upon extremely unfair unrealistic arbitrary inhumane SSI Resources Limits or assets restrictions of measly meager minuscule $2000 limits for singles while very generously allowing full SSI benefits to very lucky fortunate HOMEOWNERS living on their own LAND property worth many thousands of dollars who NEVER need to pay EXPENSIVE monthly rent payments at all whatsoever!!!! Very UNFAIR!!!!
Gary L.
Extremely SAD that this wonderful good news SSDI story above does NOT equally apply fairly favorably supportively justly to SSI benefits for ill disabled suffering struggling impoverished destitute renter citizens harshly unfairly inhumanely denied SSI benefits based upon extremely unfair unrealistic arbitrary inhumane SSI Resources Limits or assets restrictions of measly meager miniscule $2000 limits for singles while very generously allowing full SSI benefits to very lucky fortunate HOMEOWNERS living on their own LAND property worth many thousands of dollars who NEVER need to pay EXPENSIVE monthly rent payments at all whatsoever!!!! Very UNFAIR!!!!
Joy K.
I personally don’t believe it can work that fast
I too did all my applications jumped thru all the hoops,got stuck with horrible lawyer and despite 3,000 pages in my file I won my case in December..3 yrs later
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