Question for people on disability

[DailyDi]

Anyone here (in the US) on disability? If so, how did you PROVE your disability. My doctor told me my back was screwed up, but he didn't give me a "You're Broken" certificate lol. I have my imaging, but I doubt the old lady at the SS office is qualified to review them. Do I need to get something specific from my Doctors? Or what?

[~Brian~]

11 minutes ago, DailyDi said:

Anyone here (in the US) on disability? If so, how did you PROVE your disability. My doctor told me my back was screwed up, but he didn't give me a "You're Broken" certificate lol. I have my imaging, but I doubt the old lady at the SS office is qualified to review them. Do I need to get something specific from my Doctors? Or what?

@DailyDi

I would definitely have your doctor write you something that says that your back is somehow messed up, and then be able to prove medical necessity telling telling them that your back is messed up. if you're able to do that, then you should be able to get a diagnosis on your medical records to indicate that, And then your doctor should be able to prove the severity of the back problem, which would probably give you what you need. I don't know if something changed and you have to prove your disability now, or if you've already had to do it once and everything is fine and then they change something up, but I would definitely ask your doctor for medical documentation that proves your back is screwed up, along with anything else that he thinks may end up giving you exactly what you need to be able to prove your disability.

When I had to prove that I had problems with incontinence, I ended up having the doctor state that I was incontinent, And then I was able to prove it because he wrote the report using my disability as one of the catalysts. when they got done, I was able to prove my continents, And I was able to prove that I was using the diapers they had asked me to for a month or two, and they didn't work, so they gave me a different ones that did work. I then asked the doctor a couple of months down the road, after they had approved the authorization to put on my medical records my diagnosis That way that no one would be able to turn around and tell me that I didn't need diapers anymore or It wouldn't question it. There's nothing more distressing and annoying than to have to explain why you need what you need, especially when you've been having problems, and you don't wanna end up dealing with the ridiculousness where they want you to end up going to a urologist and all this. in my case a urologist wouldn't make a difference, because my cerebral palsy is part of who I am and what I am, And it's neurological anyway, so going to a urologist isn't going to help the situation, especially since I'm getting older and I don't really wanna be jumping up and down every five minutes to go to the bathroom, not only that but my safety my security and my sanity would be tested to the extreme.

Good Luck Mikey!

Brian

[Cruiser 03]

You’re first going to need some rock solid test results, scans , functional ability evals and such . Then get a social security disability specialist attorney ( they don’t get paid unless and until they win the case .

unfortunately everything about social security disability over the last 20, has been changing to stack the deck in favor of denying you access , from automatic first claim denials to fast tracking your case to there doctors ( who always have an excuse as to why your not disabled ) to regional shortages of admijisteative law judges to here your appeal after being denied and jerk around for many years . If you think I am kidding there is an automatic 2 year wait for Medicare benefits , they mail you a card in advance with an active date 2 years later if your approved , the reality of that is most people by the time they get approved there is no wait , its active  . Also bear in mind that anyone you live with who has a job or receives benefits affects your eligibility and benefits ( even if the do not support you in anyway there income or benefits count against you ( that’s why most people with a disability aren’t legally married to a spouse or living together ) two people receiving benefits when there income is combined in most states is $2.00 over the limit of what’s allowed and you have to decide who loses there benefits ? Because of that $2.00 , the system has been being rigged against your ability to collect benefits that you have paid into your entire life .I have been dating my G/F who lives down the street for 15 years , the loss of benefits for either of us would be castrophic so we don’t co habitats or do anything as a couple . She is disability because she has MS . I am on “compassionate disability” because I have an incurable untreatable rare fatal disease , in having the disease you are supposed to get fast track automatic benefits eligibility , don’t make me laugh I had to fight for 6 years to get it . I will say once a ALJ heard the case , he was so pissed off every so called expert social security sent me to lost there medical license for there excuses as to why a dying quad should be making a living . He also said the evidence was clear and compelling I did everything I could to not have to file , so he not only found me disabled and eligible for back pay to when I applied he gave me back pay for 3 years before I even applied , trying to send a message to the bureceats ….sorry to be so negative but that’s my experience with the system .

[Cute_Kitten]

Definitely want to second getting a disability lawyer. If funds are tight, there are some who do work probono or at discounted rates (you can contact your county or state bar association). My aunt had to get one and fight to get on disability. Some government agents can be assholes. I hope you have an easier time and don't encounter any assholes. Sorry to sound negative, but my aunt's experience was similar to Cruiser's. Please don't let them bully or gaslight you. Sometimes you have to fight for what you need. It's 100% fucked up.  

[ppdude]

I am by no means an expert on this subject.

My first ex hurt her back working at a nursing home and had a hell of a time getting anything. She had all sorts of doctor's visits with little or no results. She ended up taking a settlement from her employer wihich included separation.

I, myself, had no trouble getting it as I went blind. Easy to prove; an open and closed case happened pretty quickly. Had to wait for short/long term from employer before it went into effect.

Can't get diapers though. Tried hard and failed. Michigan doesn't do MedicAid when MediCare takes over. Couldn't qualify as I made too much money.

 

 

[barnburner]

1 hour ago, Cute_Kitten said:

Definitely want to second getting a disability lawyer. If funds are tight, there are some who do work probono or at discounted rates (you can contact your county or state bar association). My aunt had to get one and fight to get on disability. Some government agents can be assholes. I hope you have an easier time and don't encounter any assholes. Sorry to sound negative, but my aunt's experience was similar to Cruiser's. Please don't let them bully or gaslight you. Sometimes you have to fight for what you need. It's 100% fucked up.  

Some disability lawyers will only get paid if you win your case, and most of the time, they will take that out of a lump sum payment for benefits while waiting for approval from which the timing starts the month you apply for disability, so if you apply in January and are approved(even after appeals if you do so) that following December you will get past due payments for all the months in between which is usually called a lump sum payment.

 

Keywords: Appeal denials if you need to!

[Firefly 35]

Also if this helps with your bugdet you may be able to get discounts/credits for public transit due to having a certified "You're Broke(n)!" statement.  (Check for both low income options and medical situation options, some juristictions have a seperate discount for each.)

Definitely try and get Medicaid if you don't already have it, you can have it on top of disability payments.

[feralfreak]

i had to get evaluations from mental health types, including a psychiatrist(who i think was just a pill pushing quack, tried to make me take drugs and i wouldnt do it), it took about 4 or 5 months before social security approved me for ssi, trouble holding a job helped. i know a company that might be able to help you, and if they can help you they take a percentage, and they also give us a referral prize for lack of the right term, send me a private message with a non abdl email address you normally use and ill do a referral, they helped my mom get her ssdi, and they also helped a buddies mom get hers

[Nat]

I had medical records dating from my childhood and my IEP stuff and my old doctors I used to see. They contacted my old doctors. I was also evaluated too. 

[DailyDi]

To be honest, I don't have much documentation. My back doctor told me over the phone the results of my scan, and since there's no cure or real treatment I haven't wasted time and money seeing doctors about it. I HATE having the "put on a show*" to prove I'm ill when I am, but I guess I'm going to have to start making appointments to document that its an ongoing condition.

 

* Like the people you see at urgent care who limp in to the office to get a script, then walk normal out to the car. I trust my Doc to know me and know that if I left the house, it's three times worse than I am showing.

[feralfreak]

13 hours ago, DailyDi said:

To be honest, I don't have much documentation. My back doctor told me over the phone the results of my scan, and since there's no cure or real treatment I haven't wasted time and money seeing doctors about it. I HATE having the "put on a show*" to prove I'm ill when I am, but I guess I'm going to have to start making appointments to document that its an ongoing condition.

 

* Like the people you see at urgent care who limp in to the office to get a script, then walk normal out to the car. I trust my Doc to know me and know that if I left the house, it's three times worse than I am showing.

your doc has the documentation, or can write a letter detailing your disability, get it from your doc

[rusty pins]

I've heard for years that you will be turned down in your first few attempts.  It's like an automatic thing and you need a lawyer if you want to get your benefits.  There are a lot of fakes out there, but people with real disability can always consult a lawyer who specializes in disability claims.  They can tell you what is needed and then file for you when you have what you need.  As everyone says, find one who will work for a fee only if successful.  They will let you know on the first consultation if you have a chance or not. 

[feralfreak]

9 hours ago, rusty pins said:

I've heard for years that you will be turned down in your first few attempts.  It's like an automatic thing and you need a lawyer if you want to get your benefits.  There are a lot of fakes out there, but people with real disability can always consult a lawyer who specializes in disability claims.  They can tell you what is needed and then file for you when you have what you need.  As everyone says, find one who will work for a fee only if successful.  They will let you know on the first consultation if you have a chance or not. 

i was approved first time

[Three Rivers]

If your unable to work or have mobility issues, you can get assistance from your county or state. DMV handicap placard for parking, like other have stated you may be able to get SSI or Medicaid. Of course this all goes back to the doctor to certify, and it's already documented in your records, so they just need to fill out the proper paperwork.

It's a long process and requires a lot of paperwork and filling out multiple forms, but in the end it's worth it. I have had to do this for my father and wife respectively. I hope the very best for you in this endeavor.

[rusty pins]

Because of my knee, back and ankle problems I have a hard time walking and even going up and down stairs at times.  I have had knee replacement and the other knee needs it as well as my shoulder.  I have a handicap placard for my car.  My uncle was always telling me over and over in my late 40's and early 50's to go on disability!  Then a few days later he would call me up and want me to come over to his house and climb a ladder to trim trees, cut up brush and repair something on his 2 story house!  Gotta love old people, especially now that I'm one of them!