social security question

[MakinIT]

Hi all

I posted a question WAAAAY down the page but Brat was the only person to see it so I was trying to find another place to put the question so I decided here. I think it's more of a nuetral story than success...but I need some answers from those of you who have navigated the SS paperwork before.
I've been working on gettting a ss beni since January. SOOO..been sending papers back and forth. They called yesterday morning and told me they needed me to come in for a psychiatric eval and would even pick me up if need be. (cause my driving sucks with my meds) Also needed report from PT (which they faxed the form to her, and need to get MD counter signature)
What happens in a SS pysch eval, why do they need to do this, (especially since there was report given by my psych)
Cindy has responded (thanks) but I'd like to see if anyone else has ever gone through this, and how'd it go....Thanks...

[carla_2004]

Hello, I've been through the eligibility route before with my two youngest adult children who are disabled.

I'll pm you on this it's not clear what eligibility area you are attempting to qualify under, whether the SSA are simply attempting to clarify an issue since they did not get appropriate response(s) back from doctors listed, or whether this may be a sign they are gaining documentation to support their denial.

Regards, Carla

[Sesheta]

I've been receiving permanent social security disability based my ic diagnosis for two years now. I was not contacted for any kind of additional medical review, but I have been seeing a counselor and psychiatrist which quite some time having to do with my IC. It appears social security just accepted their reports. Did you have any treatment before you applied? My claim went through very quickly with very little contact to me. I had a very good paper trail, so I guess that helps.

Additionally, I've just found out that I will be receiving medi-care benefits even though my husband has very good private medical insurance coverage for us. Once you've received 25 months of SS Disability Benefits, you automatically receive Medicare Parts A and Part B. I am truly amazed!!

Keep the faith. It seems the universe may be acknowleding our disease for what it is-- hell.
--Sesheta

[MakinIT]

I never had any treatments via counseling but was (a long time ago) dx with depression and given meds, prior to IC. I had cleared up much of that...got migraines from taking myself off the meds, and was put back on a low dose anti-depressant. Then the IC started and of course, depression kicked in hard. I never upped my anti depressant due to wieght problems with them andthe fact that I have diabetes. This is the first time I've seen a counselor and he is specifically for pain.

Tracey

[traceyuk]

If anyone could let me know about starting disabilty process, I have been in pain,so long,had another instillation DMSo/elmirion yesterday, cramping bad today and have used all sick days. Does my Dr have to write me out, and does that affect my medical insurance? I feel at work they are looking to let me go, so a need do things right,it tough when your in pain. I also see a thepist. Appreciate any ones experience, also how does this affect looking for other work, when I feel better. Thanks Tracey

[tigger_gal]

I have part "A" medicare, my husband has great ins too. However if I wanted part "B" I have to pay.. I declined it promrtly. I received my medicare in Sept 2003.. now they are reviewing me .. wish me luck please.... they do this every 2 years now..
Makinit..
hope you get your answers soon. I can only guess that they want there own doc to do an eval.
Tracy,
In mich you have to be off work 6 months before you can apply.. here is a link:
http://www.ssa.gov/

hugs
Brat

[carla_2004]

Hello to Traceyuk, it's important to know that if you are disabled (as defined by SSA medical criteria), Social Security Administration has two benefit programs to possibly look at:

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
and
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

The following link has more information, including a benefits eligibility screening tool to see if either would fit your circumstances:

http://www.ssa.gov/disability/

The intake process can be initiated by calling 1-800-772-1213, online at https://s3abaca.ssa.gov/pro/isba3/wwwrmain.shtml , or by going to your local office.

Traceyuk, it looks like you are from CA, a good California link for you to look at is on the CA Protection & Advocacy, Inc. website at http://www.pai-ca.org/pubs/400501.htm

Hope this is helpful. Carla

[tigger2]

I was diagnosed with IC a year ago, I have gone through surgery, and I am now on my second roud of DMSO, which this time around it is not working for me. I have been in a lot of pain, and my work is suffering for it. I feel I am at the verge of loosing my job, I had a treatment yersterday and today my work sent me home due to the severe pain. How do you know if you qualify for going on SSI? Do you have to get it approved from your doctor, or do you just go and fill out paperwork yourself and hope to be approved? I dont know how any of this works, I am so lost and confused about this disease, and so tiered of being in pain and struggling to be at work.

[carla_2004]

I pulled the following information off the Social Security website:

"What We Mean By Disability

The definition of disability under Social Security is different than other programs. Social Security pays only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial disability or for short-term disability.

Disability under Social Security is based on your inability to work. We consider you disabled under Social Security rules if you cannot do work that you did before and we decide that you cannot adjust to other work because of your medical condition(s). Your disability must also last or be expected to last for at least one year or to result in death.

This is a strict definition of disability. Social Security program rules assume that working families have access to other resources to provide support during periods of short-term disabilities, including workers' compensation, insurance, savings and investments.

Go to the next page to see how we decide if you are disabled.

-cont.-

[carla_2004]

continued:

"To decide whether you are disabled, we use a step-by-step process involving five questions.

They are:

Are you working?
If you are working in 2002 and your earnings average more than $780 a month, you generally cannot be considered disabled. If you are working in 2003 and your earnings average more than $800 a month, you generally cannot be considered disabled. If you are not working, we go to Step 2.

Is your condition "severe"?
Your condition must interfere with basic work-related activities for your claim to be considered. If it does not, we will find that you are not disabled. If your condition does interfere with basic work-related activities, we go to Step 3."

-cont.-

[carla_2004]

cont-

3. "Is your condition found in the list of disabling conditions?

For each of the major body systems, we maintain a list of medical conditions that are so severe they automatically mean that you are disabled. If your condition is not on the list, we have to decide if it is of equal severity to a medical condition that is on the list. If it is, we will find that you are disabled. If it is not, we then go to Step 4.

4. Can you do the work you did previously?
If your condition is severe but not at the same or equal level of severity as a medical condition on the list, then we must determine if it interferes with your ability to do the work you did previously. If it does not, your claim will be denied. If it does, we proceed to Step 5.

5. Can you do any other type of work?
If you cannot do the work you did in the past, we see if you are able to adjust to other work. We consider your medical conditions and your age, education, past work experience and any transferable skills you may have. If you cannot adjust to other work, your claim will be approved. If you can adjust to other work, your claim will be denied.

Go to the next page to find out about special situations. "

cont-

[carla_2004]

cont-

"Most people who receive disability benefits are workers who qualify on their own records and meet the work and disability requirements we have just described. However, we want to point out some situations you may not know about:

Special rules for people who are blind.
Benefits for widows or widowers who are disabled
Benefits for children who are disabled"

Carla again: Not sure how helpful the above several posts are. I would encourage you to go to the SSA website and read, see if your facts appear to fit the criteria for either SSI or SSDI. Understand the difference between SSI & SSDI. Talk to your doctor and see if he/she agrees that you are medically unable to work per the SSA definition. You want to know where they stand on the issue since the SSA will be sending them paperwork if you apply.

If you feel you do meet the disabled definition, then start obtaining any and all medical records and reports that can help you to prove this. If you want to know more about the process, you can pm me. I have 2 adult disabled children who I advocate for, I would be willing to share what I have learned over the years doing so. Hugs, Carla

[MakinIT]

I wish I could figure out how to use the cool new stuff above...Oh...I think I just did...let's seelet's see maybe it'll work, eh?

I've decided to say SCREW IT and am getting a lawyer to handle this Social security and long term disabilty mess. I'm tired of it. :p They were pretty cool when I talked to the Hubby/wife team...only take pymt if they win and it's like 20% BUT they seem toknow how to get back reimbursement all the way to when I first became disabled (not at the 6 month point) and so that my LTD co won't take all my back reimbursement from social security...(which they said they would do...) I was getting to the point of "brother...why bother except that the LTD company is MAKING me do this...Also they'll make sure no one touches the money that comes for the kids ($250 per month) It will be nice not to have to bother with this and my doc says this guy is very, very good....

Bye for now.....Tracey

[ad8123]

I am going to find out what my Md thinks, How long do you have to have had Ic (I been diagnosed for 10 months) and out of work since feb (we moved but i probebly would have lost my teaching job anyway).

[peealot]

I have had IC for 15 years now. I am now on FMLA which is a law for large companies to allow thier employees with chronic medical conditions to take 12 weeks of unpaid leave or 12 weeks intermittantly. I take mine intermittanly because somedays I can make it and some days I can't. I also had to go from full-time to part-time employment. I am going to file for LTD through my Employer first. Does anyone have LTD through a job that they had. Can you have LTD through your job and recieve SS disability? How would you go about filing for disability through a company you are working for? (do you work untill the diability through your company accepts or denies you?)
Any help on this would be appreciated.

:) Thank you,
Kristi

[MakinIT]

Ok..I'm at the appeals stage now. I recieve payments on LTD from work. If I should win
SSI beni's my LTD will be adjusted so I don't earn over the amount I currently get. In other words, I get like 2400ish on LTD. IF I win SSI, that gives me around 1400/month. I don't remember for sure. LTD will reduce their payments to me to 1000/month. So why go through all this grief? one, if I lose my LTD(I have to argue with them about every 4 months) I at least have the SS to fall back on even though it is quite a bit less than what I'm used to. Ill also get medicare. Such as it is, but at least I can get some additional medical help my current plan doesnt have. (maybe transportation help)

Tracey

[peealot]

Thanks for the information Tracey. Since I am part-time and will only recieve 60% of my income I might be better off with my job's LTD allthough I will still apply for SS disability. I think that my employer information states that I will have to apply for SS after getting their LTD. Good luck with your appeal. How long did it take for you to get LTD through your job? Did you have to go ahead and quit when you filed or were you able to work up until you qualified for the disability? Information from anyone is welcome.

[MakinIT]

I had surgery to remove my remaining ovary. It went nasty on me. It was four weeks following that the IC symptoms started. I was fortunate enough to have a job that allowed short term disability for 90 days after the first day of disability, then the LTD kicked in. Now, LTD was nasty with me, telling me I should be healed fine and some charts they had showed that both oompherectomy and IC symptoms should be healed by no more than 120 days following the initial symptom. (It took at least 240 to get diagnosed.) I am very grateful for the marvelous GP I have that got very nasty with them and my uro that told them what a mess I was. The docs told them I was on way too many meds to even drive, much less work. Finally got that, have to mess with it every so often.

My SSI case is at the appeals level, lawyers dealing with it. After filling out a foot of paperwork, now they are handling it and I no longer have to cope with it. yay. I've done what I could.

Good luck, eh :rolleyes: Stay patient...it's been almost a year since I started the ssi process.

Tracey

[ALICE]

I Am Receiving Ssdi For Ic And Would Be Happy To Help Anyone Who Is Trying Going For It. I Found It To Be Quite Difficult But I Did Get Approved The First Time Around.

[MakinIT]

I have cobwebs in my ears and between my toes waiting for an answer. I have waited for a while but I have not heard much. As such, at least my lawyers are doing this work.

Take care...Tracey

[moelissat]

I applied for SS a few months ago and just got my letter of denial.I am going to appeal of course,but am not sure if I get an attorney to do that,or if I have to appeal to SS then get an attorney.This is all so frustrating.I have papers where my doctor even stated that he thought there was a possibility that my IC had progressed.I take Oxycontin,Klonipin,antidepressants,and another slew of meds.How are you supposed to be able to work when you have to take all that crap just to survive?

[ALICE]

Moe,
I Really Understand Your Frustration. I Could Just As Easily Been Denied, And Yes How Can You Work When All This Medication Creates Side Effects Etc. Etc.

I Did Not Have A Lawyer But I Heard That A Lawyer Really Helps Your Case.

I Will Tell You What I Did That I Think Really Helped.

1. Document Every Doctors Visit!

2. Beg Your Doctors For Letters And Don't Accept A Wishy Washy Letter. I Had To Ask Several Doctors To Redo Letters Stating That I Can Not Work!

3. Have Someone Else Make Your Calls To Ssi For You, They Document Every Call And They Think If You Can Use The Telephone Then You Can Work.

4. If You Have Any Other Illness State That Seperately, Ie Depression, Documented With Therapy Letters, Etc., I Have Arthritis, And I Got Separate Letters From My Rheumetologist.

5. The Friends You Have As Your Contact People Have To Be Very Articulate. I Think This Is Extremely Important. If Your Friends Do Not Say That You Have Suffered From The Ic And Cannot You Are In Trouble. And Since Many Times Friends Don't Really Understand Ic This Is A Hard One.

6. Don't Lie About Anything, Be Honest But Really Express The Extent Of Your Dibilitation. When They Ask You About Your Daily Activities, They Want To Hear That You Cannot Function At All. That One Was Easy For Me Since I Barely Function Most Of The Time. I Save All My Energy For My Son And The Rest Of The Day I Am On The Couch. I Cannot Clean My House Or Do Simple Chores Like Going Food Shopping, And It Is A Very Painful Reality For Someone Who Thought I Could Do Anything In Life!

Email Me If You Need More Help. Afortune999@aol

[mayray518]

I know your frustration. I had all my ducks in a row, so to speak, and got denied the first time. If you do get an attorney and win, many of them will take the fee right off the SSI and so you dont have to pay them cash in the beginning. This is a problem for many of us with IC as I was cash strapped at the time having lost my job. good luck to you.

Also in the beginning I was getting disability from work and would have stuck with this and not bothered with the SSI except my Cobra insurance from work ran out in a year and so I would have not have had any insurance benefits. I got the SSI in order to get medicare.

[Tunia]

Thank you all for the information you post here...very informative, indeed.

I've just begun the SSA application process and am most hopeful for approval since I have not worked since last summer. As a realtor (thus, an "independent contractor") I have no benefits from a job source and have been living off the proceeds of selling my home - could no longer physically or financially afford to keep it.

Unfortunately, SSA insisted that I do my application via phone - against all the recommendations of ICA info - but I would have had to wait until next FEBRUARY to appear in person! Some of my doctors are supportive, others just wishy-washy, so I'm afraid I'll be denied the first time around. Have been gathering phone numbers of attorneys who handle appeals, and am checking them out to make sure I get a good one to work in my behalf. Wish me luck!!!

[MakinIT]

I know about the % off the top....not too concerned about it. You have to pay it at some point and I think the chances of winning are slim without a lawyer. For one thing..overall energy is a complete waste. I finally hired some lawyers about 6 weeks ago and was not thrilled with the amount of "homework" they sent me out the door with but these guys are the best in the business. It took me 3 weeks to do it and my job is a paperwork job where I fill out papers all day longs. I kept falling asleep on the pages, there are drool marks, illegible writing because of the narcotics and pain. I sent it in and one of the multitude of packets I skipped 4 pages smack in the middle. Lawyer had to mail it back. (He thought it was funny) He said my lousey writing, drool marks and repeats in my writing were wonderful evidence of why I couldn't do work. So, here I wait on appeals. I long ago gave up running to the mailbox like a puppy. Good luck.

[Portia17]

makinit

a word of advice. My husband is on disability and basically the only way you can win is with a lawyer. We got a lawyer that we did not pay until we won

[ALICE]

Yes I Got Ssdi The First Time Without A Lawyer. It Is A Lot Of Paperwork And Perserverence To Go To All Your Doctors And Beg Them For Good Letters, But It Definately Can Be Done.

The Ica Helped Me A Great Deal In This And They Gave Me Sample Letters To Give To My Doctors And They Gave Me Ideas About Getting It.

Anyone Who Is Trying Can Email Me For Pointers. You Do Not Need A Lawyer. I Didn't.

[patricia1]

I also won my SSD case w/o lawyer. Was turned down the first time and had the hearing in front of appeals judge. Not that being w/o the lawyer was my choice. I had one in the begin. but b/c the case could not be moved closer to him he dropped my case in the last minute. I did not have time to find another lawyer that would take my case on IC. But anyways when I had the lawyer I still did everything myself ie paperwork, calls and so forth. I think it can be done without a lawyer to. At least it saved me 25% of my back pay. Although it was still taken out of my check and I am still waiting on getting that back from the payment center in baltimore. I think we just have to stick to our guns and keep going forth with our disability cases. People just dont know alot about IC and also not being in the public eye and never discussed by the media doesnt help us one bit. I hope everyone that is applying for it get it, although its along run to how and it can take along time DONT EVER GIVE UP. My case took almost 2 1/2 yrs to win.

[ALICE]

I don't know if I was just lucky but I won my ssdi case in a few months. I stopped working in July, I had a check by January.

I think the lawyers rip you off. They make you do the work anyway so why not do it yourself in the first place. Of course you need someone on your side to help you, and I think you have to think of this as a thesis or something. YOu have to be absolutely thorough and give them more than they ask for.

IC is a crazy disease. Most people don't even believe I have it even now. The world thinks I am just lazy....... but 4 years after I recieved my disability I am functioning much better. Just being able to rest when you need to and not live in fear of being fired is a huge relief.

[patricia1]

Alice I agree, I was doing everything and he was doing nothing. Then he dropped me at the last minute. When I had my hearing I took my mom with me. She has been there for from the beg. Knew what I had been through and so forth. The judge talked to me and then to her. I know of people who have lawyers gone to the hearing and the judge only talked to them, did not even talk to the lawyer. Then he got 25% of their backpayments. I am not saying all lawyers are this way and all lawyers may not treat their clinets this way, but my experience was that way. I even had to write the SS people and ask them to change where my hearing was at to benefit him, not me, he did not even write them. Oh well that the past and I won my case, thats the important thing. I agree with not worrying about being fired. I was written up so many times for missing work that it was getting irrating. I know the employers need their employees there and my job was important, I was a payroll clerk but what could I do. At first I had a very understanding supervisor then he left I had a women boss, and I think women are harder to work for. Just my op. on lawyers

[moelissat]

I have requested my hearing,and like alot of you,the attorney that I have consulted with is having me do all the work....getting letters from doctors,etc.My URO really doesn't even see me any more (turned me over to a pain management doc),and he's already told me he won't write a letter.Attorney insists we talk to him again.Just the thought of going to his office has had me stressed for a month.I am sure most of you understand what I am going through.All this stress is making me WORSE! I don't even know what to do anymore.I am like alot of you as well,people just don't even believe there is something wrong with you,I guess we don't look sick enough.I am trying to get all the info together that I can,but I really just feel lost and discouraged.Congrats to all that are past this part of the battle!

[MakinIT]

I'm so sorry....really sucks. I've been fortunate to have a good relationship with all involved except for medication disputes. (the uro wants me to take valium every day, 5mgs 3 times. the other docs all hate that....My general doc has me on MSContin, 180 mgs,daily, and percocet as a breakdthrough. The Uro, she started me on Elmiron but I really reacated bad to it so stopped soon. She's had me on daily instills (ie self cathederizations) but that was a AWFUL. at home, I use the the self cath for after I do my monthly treatments at the uro. She is very sweet. Young, one of the top 5 IC Docs on the"left" coast. She calls me back when ever I call nomatter what time I call ( I am respecful of her time, but there have been times she is exhausted...I can tell in her voice...yet she listens to me blubber and calmly reminds me that I've been through flares before, reminds me what to do (My docs almost treat me like a student in school with team teaching 4-5 teachers with same group of kids...they all know me and eaach other well)she has said to go to ER if it gets too bad but I add in Percoct) Ohwell...my psych hates the meds as does mh chiro.My GP Thinks I still need morphine but isn't crazy about the valum. I am, however, starting a job (vlounteer) tomorr0w toII

I Gotta go M y eyes aren't staying open.Good l hope this is resolved soon for you. Don't give up and my lawyers have been great. he calls every 6 weeks to see how I am and remind me to send in new stuffl . They've billed me for some minor \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ehings but have said not to worry about. I hate being broke. HMMMPPMMLeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeee

[Portia17]

My attorney told me not to worry about my urologist not writing a letter. He says he only needs one doctor and the one that will do it is my Pain mgmt doctor

[MakinIT]

That could work, specially since you have been seeing him more and he can testify to your pain. I see a GP, Uro, pain doc, psych, and chiro. My lawyer wants reports and any test results from each of them and all of their chart notes....Yadah, Yadah... My pain doc I don't see very often b/c he's tried all he knows but has me on "nueroleptics" along with MS Contin, valium, percocept. (He did a flouroscopy to see where my nerves were...didn't like it at all b/c most people have pelvic nerves near their spines in fist almost....mine have under gone so much surgery they now flower out. But we still tried a spinal stimulator (keep in mind, my psych did all this hypno stuff with me to help me relax, stay calm.....They gave me a good sedative....but I still hit the ceiling....I'm a baby.) They got the leads in through my tailbone (want to say tail pipe) and everytime the rep hit the stimulator, I went into a spasm...like my toes could almost reach my head....FROM BEHIND. I was like a Cerebral Palsey child. I couldn't talk or breath. So, after 2 hours of this torture, he gave up, man that just sucked. So anyway, those records went to my lawyer as well as all my recent stuff from them, my uro and my GP (who basically controls everyone....I love him, he's awesome, and we really trust each other. He asked me one day to stop driving. I told him I allready had.....so he was happy, Didn't officially pull my license b/c he khows af some point I'LL NEED it.... I've only been like this for 2 years.

Anyway...my lawyer says just document. I keep a journal of what I do during the day, pain level, pee amounts, ect...I just got a volumteer position of 4-6 hours, closley watched by old friends. The woman I arranged this with had grander plans for me, but has listened to me on the phone and decided to start me simple cause I'm just too goofy. (This email has taken me an hour) ...I will keep a separate work journal.

I don't know how much your lawyer has told you to document but mine is adament, and he has helped. He knows, for example, everything that happens in the hearings. He used to work for Social security. How's that for stumbling across a gold mine...? There are times he calls and asks me to do stuff and I honestlu don't remember, and he's started to figure out whern that will be )if I have to take extra meds.

gotta go

Tracey

[moelissat]

thanks for the info and encouragement,you guys.I see a psych also,and my pain doc,and a gp.gp doesn't want to write a letter,don't know about pain doc yet,psych says NO PROBLEM! I will just have to try and see what happens.

[MakinIT]

Wow..first...goodness..i read the post I posted a couple back and I must have fallen asleep. Wow..I hate these pain meds I'm on. Hope I don't do that tonight. Moelissat, if you ask for copies of your records from your GP, including chart notes, he/she has to provide them to you. they may charge you a fee for the copies but get the copies to you then you make copies at like kinkos and give to Doc. You need more than just the psych, they want ALL docs who have seen you. They are very, very tenacious and will find any missing data as a reason to say no to your case. I have updates every 3-4 months from each doc sent to me, I photocopy to the lawyers. I keep my own Journal. My journal is also now going to include an addendum to work as I started a volunteerjob today. It took 2 hours today before I burned out.

ALSO Get continious updates on your prescriptions from to pharmacy. anyprocedures through the hospitals as well...ok? It's good to havepsych support, I have about 4 good letters from him documenting our time together...but, well...I need more than him.

Good luck!!! Document, Document, Document....Oh yeah...on the day of yo0ur hearing...pee alot at social security office and during your hearing cause they have a voc specialist there to see how much you can do. If you pee like 4 times in the waiting room and a bunch o times during your hearing (like every 15-25 mins..I get so nervous it may be more)

Tracey

[moelissat]

thanks for the information,and suggestions.It helps to know what I need to do.Hope you enjoy your volunteer job.God Bless. Melissa

[MakinIT]

Melissa: moelissat.....I just reread my message (I always reread when I post but I can't do it properly until my drug levels are low) I meant to say, get copies (like one set from your doc) make another copy from Kinkos. Keep one set for yourself, another set for S.S. since you don't have a lawyer. Also, Keep a bare bones journal of pain for each day, when your meds change, emotions, peeing (how difficult and how many times)

Gotta go

[moelissat]

thanks for the clarification,but i understood what you meant.i am always in a drug-induced state,so i understand the confusion.take care.

[patricia1]

I agree with makinit I was flaring awful bad the day I went in for my hearing and had to go many times before the hearing. The vocational expert saw me during this time. Although I did not know it was him and during the hearing itself I had to excuse myself 3 times in less than an hour. My case came down to the vocational expert, since even though the dr and judge said I was severely disabled from IC and its not listed in the blue book, my case rode on what the voca. expert thought. Dont be afraid to use the bathroom and if you are uncomfortable in your chair move around alot, I did that to.

[moelissat]

thanks for the pointers.I really appreciate them.