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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Gary
I cannot say anything good about this process. I applied in February 2015. I was approved at the local level back in May which takes 5 different people which includes two supervisors and a medical officer. It was then sent to state level and approved again, including 2 different supervisors and medical officer. Then it’s sent to their Quality Review Board. They take 60 days to review it, never contacting me for any more information. And low and behold on the 61st day, I was AGAIN medically approved (for the third time) to receive benefits. BUT, they requested paperwork about my 15 year past work history, so they could see if I can work in some sort of other field, since I’m only 61, not 65. (retirement age) WHY didn’t they ask for this information during their review? Because this is one way they can prolong the process. I sent it back within 7 working days. I will now have to wait another 60 days for them to let my paperwork sit on someone’s desk for 59 days and then make a decision. They have medical reports up the gazoo showing I have more then 1 life threatening heart condition including Hyper-trophic Cardio-myopathy, ACS, unstable angina, CHF exacerbation and aortic stenosis. Which are all on their list of QUALIFYING disabilities. For 40 years I paid into this GOVERNMENT Program. For 40 years my so called GOVERNMENT used MY money and collected interest on MY money and now I need MY money to survive and they don’t want to give it to me. What is wrong with this picture? My opinion is, the only sure way to get disability is (1) Be blind or (2) Be a mental case. In other words poke your eyes out or become a vegetable doing the thorzine shuffle all day
Independent a.
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joe
My advice, if you get ssdi, do NOT try and go to work unless you are 100% cured from your health issue. I managed to go back to work after 25% improvement, and a job that I could do–but worsening health, and changes in the job, made me unable to work. SSDI wouldn’t give me back the disability! Plus they told me now that I have the recent work experience for 7 years im overqualified for disability and need to work! unbelievable!. so I lost my relationship, I lost my credit, I lost my home, and sleep In my car in the middle of winter because the homeless shelter had naked people sleeping an inch from me and 6 people in small bedroom …this is my life. The government will end up paying 40 grand a year to prison me, when ssdi was only 1300 a month!
Jason B.
My life was going well enough in the past. I was on SSI wich ment I could buy my own food, hire a driver to take me to a store. I had Tenn Care and a long term Dr. After my father died a family realitive produced some kind of trust fund I had been told became the pernimet property of a bank in Dayton Ohio. I was suprised he had the documents and he told me f I sighned it I would Get $15,000 and it wouldn’t effect my SSI, ensurance or stop me from seeing my long term Dr. After I sighned it and only after he revealed to me I would have to report the trust fund and already I had a bad feeling at the back of my mind. Once I reported it I lost my SSI and was declared able to work, even after the money was spent. I don’t under stand how $15,000 is a cure for mild cerebal palsy, irregular heart beat and I’m slow in many areas like math, spelling and judgments. (I can not drive and I don’t like navigating, walking through traffic alone but its hard to keep up with other people when I cross the pedestrian walk way) I had previously been on SSI for 5 years and was declared disabled. I don’t have a Dr at all any more since 2003 I think. I missed two hearings because I can’t drive and the drivers didn’t show up both times. If I had 40 dollars they use to drive me. I sometimes eat only once a day. Lately my hands scruntch up so it makes writeing, typeing and other task difficult but I have good and bad “hand” days.
Ray F.
We are sorry to hear about the inconveniences that you are experiencing Jason. The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program is a needs-based program that provides cash assistance to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources.
In some cases, a trust can be consider a resource. Moreover, the value of the trust could put you over the resource limit. See the SSI Spotlight on Trusts or more information on how trusts affect SSI eligibility, or contact your local Social Security office if you have more questions about this topic.
best i.
I can do to make my parents HAPPYNEES and all the requests I should be able to see if I had a family until everything is broke, I am must be single parents from two daughters and must be a stranger to be a great finally to make a sure If rich never should’ve how much y
Araceli Q.
I have diabetes, fibromyalgia, carpel tunnel, have had several surgeries for different body issues, I am working at the moment because I have too many medical bills to pay, I can hardly get out of the bed each morning, go to work and I am so tired and in pain that I am falling sleep at work, does that qualified me to get social security benefits? I am only 55 and working but dreading each day. Do I have a chance to get help at all?
Jessica C.
My mother is severely disabled after her last stroke. She was disabled from the first few strokes when they started a couple of yers ago and applied for services. Somewhere along the way we were told, after the fact, that she was denied, but we had never rec’d an actual denial. February this year she had a major stroke leaving her completely dependent on my father. We hired an attorney who said she was being told due to moms work history she didnt qualify for SSI and due to dads disabilty check she disnt qaulify for disability unless she got divorced. I cant seem to get any clear answers. She doesnt qualify for medicaid without a huge shared cost so she has no medical coverage at all. They cant afford her prescriptions much less doctor visits and dads not so great himself after cancer treatments, open heart surgery and his own series of strokes. How do you get the right answers to get anything done when noone is willing to give any clear answers. Very frustrating.
Rose
I wish I knew why it is taking so long to get the hearing before the SSDI judge. I was denied initially in… I think it was June or July of this year (2015), and after a while, some folks said to get an attorney. I did, and was told that it will take approx. a year and a half to see the judge. Maybe it’s because there are a lot of people applying, so the wait is long? In the meantime, I can’t work & have no income. I’m too old (60) to have to face living in my car. I have quite a few medical issues and some mental issues (my memory has been failing for a number of years, and that’s scary), along with anxiety & panic. I’m on pain mgmt (morphine x3 a day with percocet for breakthrough for a nasty case of Fibro, as well as pretty bad arthritis, and osteoarthritis, CFS,.. horrific pain in lower back and all my joints. I’m a fall hazard too, and I walk with a cane (prescribed). There’s more issues on the list….
Anyway, I’m glad for those who were able to get their SSDI in a timely manner, and hope that the rest of us will have our turn soon.
In the meantime, I am going to get another attorney (my current one is not really responsive to email etc), and seems kind of rude, and well, doing this alone is kind of scary.
Best wishes to everyone!
Rose
Rose
Hello,
Questions below:
I think I forgot to mention that when I applied for SSDI, the man on the phone asked if I had also applied for SSI. I wasn’t sure what that was, and he explained, and suggested that I apply right then and there on the phone with him, so I did.
QUESTION: One of my questions is, when I was denied SSDI, did that mean I was denied SSI too, at the same time?
I’m still waiting to get in front of the judge, but it would help me a great deal if I had at least been approved for SSI so that I can at least have a small income instead of zero.
I also have other recent diagnosed conditions that I hope my attorney has added to my case.. the latest dianoses is COPD/Emphysema, and Bilateral Hearing Loss. I finally had a bone scan done (my first) and they said I have Osteopenia, which is right before Osteoporosis. Unfortunately, I will have Osteoporsis by the time I have my next scan, which is in a year, they tell me. Back x-rays show degenerating discs, and the pain is horrible. And Fibro pain is life-changing.
QUESTION: Is there anything else I should do while I am waiting, regarding SSI or anything else?
Thanks in advance.
Ray F.
Hi Rose. Generally, when you apply for either or both programs, we review your medical information and make a decision about whether or not you meet the Social Security’s definition of disability for both programs. The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program pays benefits to you and certain members of your family if you are “insured,” meaning that you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes. The Supplemental Security Income is a needs-based program that pays benefits to disabled individuals based on financial need. Disability benefits are paid to people who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more or to end in death. To add new medical evidence or a medical source to your pending claim, you can mail or take the information to your local Social Security office or hearing office.
Rose
Hi Mr. Fernandez, and thanks for your reply.
With regard to sending new information & diagnoses to SSA as I get them, I gave that information to my attorney, so I presume, hopefully, that he has give the new info to SSA! I can contact him and ask. I guess the QUESTION (sorry about the caps) is, since I was denied, was that denial for both SSDI & SSI? Was I denied for both at the same time? I do believe I understand the difference, I think, but the whole process is pretty darn big & confusing, and feels quite cumbersome. 🙂 I’ve only been denied once so far & now we wait for our appt. with an ALJ. Thanks for your time, and thanks in advance if you can shine any further light.
Best regards,
Rose
June
Dear Mr. Fernandez,
I asked a question on November 6th and you have yet to reply but i see you have replied to another who asked a question a month after my question. I simply wanted to know since i have lumbar stenosis and it’s very debilitation will a neurosurgeon’s report suffice b/c i did not go to an orthopedic for my problem?
June
Ray F.
Hi June, our apologies if we missed your first question. We may ask you to complete forms, provide documents and medical information to apply for Disability Benefits. You should not delay applying just because you do not have certain documents or lack medical reports. We will help you get them. If you think you are disabled, you can apply for disability online. Please remember that Social Security pays only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial disability or short-term disability. Disability benefits are paid to people who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more or to end in death. Please call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday if you need further assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. Thanks!
Dawn
I think I’ve read every comment. My 3rd hearing is tomorrow. It is definitely not easy for everyone who has a legitimate disability. I was diagnosed (even by SS own Psychiatrist) with PTSD, Anxiety, and Agoraphobia. I was denied, had a hearing, denied again, appealed, denied, sued in District Court, won, got new hearing, denied again, appealed and won, and now going to third hearing. It has been 7 years! My attorney decided to stop representing me so I’m going alone. The last decision from the judge made me feel so horrible about myself that I considered suicide. I’m not faking. I would give anything to be normal again. The judge said the psychiatrist could be wrong because I could be lying! The judge is not a psychiatrist, that’s not how it works. Why bother paying their own Psychiatrist if they don’t believe them!? I feel like, because of my condition, they want to bully me into giving up. We lost our house, my kids have grown up poor, my elderly parents have had to help with shelter/food/etc and my condition is ruining everyone’s lives!
Reggie
Until I found this I thuohgt I’d have to spend the day inside.