Would I qualify for SSDI?"You look so Good"

[meissie47]

Hello question about applying for disability. For the last 2 years I have been condidering applying. my husband has really been on me about it. started the paperwork in 2010 after a significant relaspe even being on a DMD and new active lesions. But after some recovering I let my pride get the best of me and I backed out. Feeling I needed to just work through my issues and get back to work. After all there are people out there worse off than me with MS and their still working.

I started a new Dmd and after testing Positive for the virus I got sacred and stoped Now I am in another relaspe That has gone on for the past month and a half and I cant work.

I was a hairdresser for over 10 years and started having issues mentally and physically so I could no longer do that. I have been a sub teacher for the past 10 years. Mentally it is taxing. A lot of the work I REALLY cannot do or understand and this is middle school. It's getting more and more stressful. I have worked since I was 16. I will be 49 next month.

I did have a neurophsyc test in 2010 which showed neurocognitive deficits across the board and a low to average intellectual range.

I only work part time so I don't rally make any money. I have worked even less this year.
I have no other skills. Tried going back to school and that was horrible!

I guess my question is how hard is it to qualify w/o having a physical disability that you can actually see? To look at me you would not know I have MS. Would like some feed back from others that may be in this same boat or have been through and got their benefits.

Thanks,
Meissie

[rat1]

SSDI

Good luck with your attempt. I have just applied and am having lawyer's support and help me. I, like you, do not have visible symptoms, but extreme cognitive issues. I have worked in health care most of my adult life but can not stand for long periods of time and I become extremely anxious if overwhelmed which is what nursing is. The lawyer told me if the neurologist will support the need, there is a good chance for approval. Good luck to you
Kim

[meissie47]

Sorry Sparky10. Thanks!

Meissie

[0485c10]

Rambling reply....
My first question is have you paid enough quarters to SS to qualify for ssdi?

if the answer is yes, i would be alert to how long you have been off work not payng into SS, because a person can lose their credits if they have not been paying into SS for long enough. Something i had to watch, i lost my job then while looking for work newly diagnosed MS made me unable to look for a job for at least 2 years--so as i was applying i was worried my credits would expire. I wrote to SS, based on my age and past credits i would have had 2 more years to find a job, in a time of high unemployment. it wouldn't have happened.--but i didn't find that out until after i was awarded..just something to keep on your mind that you may have a relapse that makes you unable to work for the allowable time you can not pay into SS without having the credits you have earned expire..

then if you what a lot of information, i have a lot bookmarked answer that you want the links and it will bee like a blizzard.(no kidding, i am a "tmi" type person--actually this long reply is just a summary It could get longer)

then when you fill out your SS papers you describe your worst day with MS not your best day...so if your MS, has been mild and never made you too disabled to work, then MS is alone is not a disability--and its that way for many in the early stages, they have MS but its been mild never worsening to the point of being unable to work, but once its gone past that point for periods of time, then its a disability,...a condition that has been defined as a disabling condition by SS that has disabling episode.

A person from Canada described this the best, she was having guilt because of being on disability & her MS had stabilized and she thought she should work...her doc told her when she expressed this view...to get it out of her mind, she was on disability because she has MS..her doc told her if she had to spend her time writing for disability approval every time one of her MS pattients becomes unable to work, then rewrite it the next time, she would spend all of her time writing disability evaluation for her MS patients.. She is not on disability because of her current condition, she is on disability because she has MS and her condition is likely to become disabling AGAIN!

then, in 1996 the congress passed a law and president bush signed it, that conditions that aree episodical in nature and were disabling when active are a disability..If you want i can give you a link to that law..also conditions that need meds to keep a person able to work are also a disability in that law.

then A few years ago CBS ran a article that defined 13 states as having higher rejection rates. You are living inb one of those states, you might want to higher a laywer to apply. They only get paid if awarded and a % of the award. I live in a statre with a lower rejection rate, i was able to apply on line, but i think if i lived in a higher denial rate states, i would have use a laywer..I can provide a link to that video if you want it. ask. And perhaps post another question about peoples experience with laywers.

then i can provide a link to a post that Rich Feingold wrote describing how SS is awarded. I can provide a link to what SS defines as a disability due to MS. I think it is in Riches reply, but i have it book marked too.

let me know if the links are desired or it a general description of them are enough for you to make a decision.

[PittyPat]

SSDI

I was dx'd 6-2-08; filed at home on line for SSDI on 6-6-08and was approved in October....I was working full time and was 6 months away from retirement at the time of dx. SS office called me the day after I filed and we did everything from the phone.

I retired at age 62 (after 45 years of full time employment) and received my first SS (regular) check in December and in January it was SSDI...no one believes it happened so easily.

SS did send me to their doctors and they both concurred I had a permanent disability..so give it a try!

[meissie47]

Rambling reply....
My first question is have you paid enough quarters to SS to qualify for ssdi?

if the answer is yes, i would be alert to how long you have been off work not payng into SS, because a person can lose their credits if they have not been paying into SS for long enough. Something i had to watch, i lost my job then while looking for work newly diagnosed MS made me unable to look for a job for at least 2 years--so as i was applying i was worried my credits would expire. I wrote to SS, based on my age and past credits i would have had 2 more years to find a job, in a time of high unemployment. it wouldn't have happened.--but i didn't find that out until after i was awarded..just something to keep on your mind that you may have a relapse that makes you unable to work for the allowable time you can not pay into SS without having the credits you have earned expire..

then if you what a lot of information, i have a lot bookmarked answer that you want the links and it will bee like a blizzard.(no kidding, i am a "tmi" type person--actually this long reply is just a summary It could get longer)

then when you fill out your SS papers you describe your worst day with MS not your best day...so if your MS, has been mild and never made you too disabled to work, then MS is alone is not a disability--and its that way for many in the early stages, they have MS but its been mild never worsening to the point of being unable to work, but once its gone past that point for periods of time, then its a disability,...a condition that has been defined as a disabling condition by SS that has disabling episode.

A person from Canada described this the best, she was having guilt because of being on disability & her MS had stabilized and she thought she should work...her doc told her when she expressed this view...to get it out of her mind, she was on disability because she has MS..her doc told her if she had to spend her time writing for disability approval every time one of her MS pattients becomes unable to work, then rewrite it the next time, she would spend all of her time writing disability evaluation for her MS patients.. She is not on disability because of her current condition, she is on disability because she has MS and her condition is likely to become disabling AGAIN!

then, in 1996 the congress passed a law and president bush signed it, that conditions that aree episodical in nature and were disabling when active are a disability..If you want i can give you a link to that law..also conditions that need meds to keep a person able to work are also a disability in that law.

then A few years ago CBS ran a article that defined 13 states as having higher rejection rates. You are living inb one of those states, you might want to higher a laywer to apply. They only get paid if awarded and a % of the award. I live in a statre with a lower rejection rate, i was able to apply on line, but i think if i lived in a higher denial rate states, i would have use a laywer..I can provide a link to that video if you want it. ask. And perhaps post another question about peoples experience with laywers.

then i can provide a link to a post that Rich Feingold wrote describing how SS is awarded. I can provide a link to what SS defines as a disability due to MS. I think it is in Riches reply, but i have it book marked too.

let me know if the links are desired or it a general description of them are enough for you to make a decision.

Hi ,thanks so much for the info! I do have enough credits I believe. I was diagnosed in 2003.Ms has been pretty quiet
until 2010, vertigo and hyperacusis while on Copaxone. Kept me out of work for 6 months.

Got all the paperwork together as I said to file,but I started getting better, felt guilty and went back to work in 2011.But i only had a partial recovery b/c The hyperacusis still flairs every now and then. I especially don't feel well on days when it's overcast. Neuro Ms specialist says it's from the lesions.


At the begining of March this year vertigo and hyperacusis flaired up again and I have been at home every since.
Neuro says although the dizziness is only at it's worse when I'm sitting still after moving around for a while or getting out of a car, that is typical of central vertigo. I also get really dizzy if I talk for too long or am in asetting where there is a LOT going on. It's too much. Weird I know.


All that said it would be pretty hard right now to be in a school setting.

Your Information has encouraged me. I was verydiscouraged about filing b/c I felt my symptoms were enough.
Thanks,
Meissie

[meissie47]

I was dx'd 6-2-08; filed at home on line for SSDI on 6-6-08and was approved in October....I was working full time and was 6 months away from retirement at the time of dx. SS office called me the day after I filed and we did everything from the phone.

I retired at age 62 (after 45 years of full time employment) and received my first SS (regular) check in December and in January it was SSDI...no one believes it happened so easily.

SS did send me to their doctors and they both concurred I had a permanent disability..so give it a try!

Thanks, I am.I heard that age would also play a factor. Is that true? What were your symptoms at the time? I will be speaking w/ my neuro soon Any tips on how to go about asking for his support?

Thanks
Meissie

[sulphur kennel]

If you do decide to go ahead with it....

Don't give up. It took me a year and a half, but I finally got my ssdi. I am now 42 and I am in the "you don't look disabled" group. I will say file before you go a year or so without working. It could cause the amount you are eligible for to decrease. If you file just don't get discouraged.

[happy42day]

@ 0485c10

Would you please supply the links you mentioned?

[Just MS me]

Rambling reply....
My first question is have you paid enough quarters to SS to qualify for ssdi?

if the answer is yes, i would be alert to how long you have been off work not payng into SS, because a person can lose their credits if they have not been paying into SS for long enough. Something i had to watch, i lost my job then while looking for work newly diagnosed MS made me unable to look for a job for at least 2 years--so as i was applying i was worried my credits would expire. I wrote to SS, based on my age and past credits i would have had 2 more years to find a job, in a time of high unemployment. it wouldn't have happened.--but i didn't find that out until after i was awarded..just something to keep on your mind that you may have a relapse that makes you unable to work for the allowable time you can not pay into SS without having the credits you have earned expire..

then if you what a lot of information, i have a lot bookmarked answer that you want the links and it will bee like a blizzard.(no kidding, i am a "tmi" type person--actually this long reply is just a summary It could get longer)

then when you fill out your SS papers you describe your worst day with MS not your best day...so if your MS, has been mild and never made you too disabled to work, then MS is alone is not a disability--and its that way for many in the early stages, they have MS but its been mild never worsening to the point of being unable to work, but once its gone past that point for periods of time, then its a disability,...a condition that has been defined as a disabling condition by SS that has disabling episode.

A person from Canada described this the best, she was having guilt because of being on disability & her MS had stabilized and she thought she should work...her doc told her when she expressed this view...to get it out of her mind, she was on disability because she has MS..her doc told her if she had to spend her time writing for disability approval every time one of her MS pattients becomes unable to work, then rewrite it the next time, she would spend all of her time writing disability evaluation for her MS patients.. She is not on disability because of her current condition, she is on disability because she has MS and her condition is likely to become disabling AGAIN!

then, in 1996 the congress passed a law and president bush signed it, that conditions that aree episodical in nature and were disabling when active are a disability..If you want i can give you a link to that law..also conditions that need meds to keep a person able to work are also a disability in that law.

then A few years ago CBS ran a article that defined 13 states as having higher rejection rates. You are living inb one of those states, you might want to higher a laywer to apply. They only get paid if awarded and a % of the award. I live in a statre with a lower rejection rate, i was able to apply on line, but i think if i lived in a higher denial rate states, i would have use a laywer..I can provide a link to that video if you want it. ask. And perhaps post another question about peoples experience with laywers.

then i can provide a link to a post that Rich Feingold wrote describing how SS is awarded. I can provide a link to what SS defines as a disability due to MS. I think it is in Riches reply, but i have it book marked too.

let me know if the links are desired or it a general description of them are enough for you to make a decision.

I would love to have a link of the states you mentioned......I think I live in one of the high denil states.

[0485c10]

Not in any particular order, links i bookmarked while applying or i saw afterwards thinking it might be useful to someone else applying. Applying for SSDI is a memorable task...makes a person think about having done it for years after applying.

1. the equation SS uses to determine disability is...
SS Disability = Disability - Retrainability factor

The lower re-trainability is the less disability a person is going to need for SS Disability.

Retrainaibility = inverse Age + inverse Level of education

The higher the age, the lower the retrain ability factor.
so applying at 39, a person will need a greater level of disability to qualify for SS disability than they would at 40... Retrainabilty factor lowers for each decade of life.

and the lower the education, the less disability a person will require for SS disability. A person whose highest level of education is a high school degree will need less disability to qualify for SS disability than a person with a college bachlor or college masters degree. Less education is better for the retrainability factor.

2. Rich Feingolds post explaining the steps in how SSDI is determined is in this post....
http://www.msworld.org/forum/showthread.php?t=115600


3. SS BlueBook description of disabiliy from MS.
Item E MS:
disorganization of motor functions,muscle weakness on activity as a result of fatigue, visual or mental imparements...FATIGUE IS A VERY IMPORTANT SYMPTOM OF MS TO DESCRIBE IN A SS APPLICATION FOR MS DISABILITY..."MS Fatigue".

http://www.ssa.gov/disability/profes...ical-Adult.htm

4. 2008 CBS VIDEO DESCRIBING STATES WITH HIGHER DENIAL RATES...
The states that had higher denial rates were NY,GA,AZ,CO,MO,AR,TN,KY,OH,SC,NC,WV,MI,KS
I think those were the ones I had to stop the video to write them down, I might have missed one?---if a person lives in those state I think I would try to apply with a laywer.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=3718448n

5. The Bill was HR 319, passed in 2008 and was signed by obama.. the older i get the more the difficult to remember the years..I learned of the law on another MS message board, so i am just copying the post i read describing the new law and a link to it...

LINK TO THE LAW:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/110/hr3195

News Article on the new bill::The bill was first introduced in july 2008 and reported in a newspaper. I copied the post someone wrote in another message board when she read the newspaper article..... So I did not read the newspaper article but I read the law!

(copied post)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A small news article from todays paper:
The House passed a major civil rights bill on Wednesday [June 25, 2008] that would expand protections for people with disabilities and overturn several Supreme Court decisions issued in the last decade
The bill, approved 402-17, would make it easier for workers to prove discrimination. It would explicitly relax some stringent standards set by the court and says that disability is to be "construed broadly," to cover more physical and mental impairments.
Lawmakers said Wednesday that people with epilepsy, diabetes, cancer, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and other ailments had been improperly denied protection because their conditions could be controlled by medication or were in remission.
In deciding whether a person is disabled, the bill says, courts should generally not consider the effects of "mitigating measures" like prescription drugs, and artificial limbs. Moreover, it adds, "an impairment that is episodic or in remission is a disability if it would substantially limit a major life activity when active."
The Senate is expected to pass a similar bi-partisan measure.

My note: This is a major breakthrough for all of us!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

End of copied post..

6. General advise from me, when applying:

a. Copy & save everything you send or receive from SS make a file for yourself so you don't lose anything.

b. make a note of the time,date & the name of anyone you talk to from SS and put that in your file also.

c.Fatigue is a very important symptom for an MS disability. "MS fatigue" is different from normal fatigue and SS recognizes it as disabling. Use the word fatigue often and better yet replace it with the term "MS fatigue"...ie. I cant do something because MS fatigue makes me have to take frequent rest periods or I'm not able to do it...something like that.

d. your always describing your symptoms at their worst- not at their best when you are well rested. ms symptoms at their worst!

7. Webinar on applying for SS and SSSI starter kit for online application, to review prior to submitting formal application on line.
(Most were developed after i applied so i don't have experience using the first 2, they just looked helpful so i book marked them)

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/disability.htm

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/webina...ybenefits.html

SS disability starter kits--this i used because it was available in 2005 when i applied...

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/disabi...htm#disability

[0485c10]

Add 1 more thing! Time off work

The time a person can be off work before their SS credits expire...I did not know this while I was applying, i just knew it could happen--i actually found out how long it was when i wrote to SS and asked for someone else who was stressed at applying. I copy the letter i got back from SS below.

Thank you for contacting the Social Security Administration.


To qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you must have worked long enough and recently enough under Social Security. You can earn up to a maximum of four work credits per year. The amount of earnings required for a credit increases each year as general wage levels rise.

The number of work credits you need for disability benefits depends on your age when you become disabled. Generally, you need 20 credits earned in the last 10 years ending with the year you become disabled.

However, younger workers may qualify with fewer credits. The rules are as follows:

-- Before age 24 - You may qualify if you have six credits earned in the three-year period ending when the disability starts.

-- Age 24 to 31 - You may qualify if you have credit for having worked half the time between 21 and the time you become disabled. For example, if a worker becomes disabled at age 27, he or she would need credit for three years of work (12 credits) out of the past six years (between age 21 and age 27).

-- Age 31 or older - In general, you will need to have the number of work credits shown in the chart below. Unless you are blind or visually impaired, at least 20 of the credits must have been earned in the 10 years immediately before you became disabled.


Born After 1929,
Become Disabled at Age, Credits You Need

31 through 42, 20
44, 22
46, 24
48, 26
50, 28
52, 30
54, 32
56, 34
58, 36
60, 38
62 or older, 40

In addition to the earnings requirement, you must meet Social Security’s strict definition of disability. Read more at the following Internet address:

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/dibplan/dqualify4.htm

More information may be found in our publication called “Disability Benefits,” publication number 05-10029, available at the following Internet address:
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10029.html


Internet e-mail is not secure enough to transmit your personal information. For this reason, we do not use e-mail to discuss information involving Social Security claims, payments or other Social Security-number related issues.

If you have confidential questions or if your inquiry requires access to your personal information, you must contact our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213, or your local Social Security office.

You can speak to an 800-number representative from 7 A.M. to 7 P.M. on business days. Telephones generally are less busy during the early morning from 7 A.M. to 9 A.M. and in the late afternoon and evening from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. We encourage people to call during these times to avoid busy signals and extended wait times.

Our phone lines are also busiest early in the week and early in the month. Call volumes are also highest during the first three months of the year. However, if you’re planning to file for benefits, you should call us as soon as possible.

If you call, we can serve you better if you have the following handy:

--Your Social Security number;
--A list of questions you want to ask;
--Any recent correspondence you have received from us; and
--A pencil and paper to make a note of the information we provide.

People who are hearing-impaired may call our “TTY” number, 1-800-325-0778, between 7 A.M. and 7 P.M. on business days.

Callers from Alaska, Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Maria na Islands, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands may receive different “live” service hours. However, they will continue to have automated services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can obtain the address and directions to the nearest Social Security Office on our Web site at the following Internet address:

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/locator

[diomed]

Well, I just got denied. I can't even walk. I happen to live in Michigan(one of the worst to get SSI), I am only 44, I think my Neurologist misdiagnosed me. Sigh. I had a major attack in Nov and am not recovering. I think I was RRMS but it has progressed. I can't walk without assistance(I use a walker), yet SS tells me I can work. My state allows attorneys to get 25% of your money. Sigh....My stress level went up significantly this weekend after getting that letter and knowing that some attorney is going to get a chunk of my benefit. I just pi**es me off! Unfortunately, with my cognitive issues, I know I can't do the appeal on my own. This really sucks!!!

[meissie47]

Thanks!
Meissie

[meissie47]

I am so sorry. That's awful. Did you apply on your own?
Meissie