Applying for Social Security Disability: What worked for me

by Liz Thompson aka LizOP/writeon

Depending on what state you live in, there could be a backlog of requests. Phoenix, AZ alone processes 200,000 applications for disability each year. You might want to check with your local SS Determination office. But I am getting ahead of myself.

#1. You quit work.

#2. You call or go your local SS office. I went but it did no good since they were so busy and they had to call me anyway. 

#3. G online to http://www.ssa.gov/ and fill out the online application. Do this when you have everything pertinent gathered - date you quit, why you quit, doctors and hospital names and addresses/phone numbers, work history, your spouse's income and any other income, etc. You have so much time to fill out the online form so it is best to be prepared. You can go back and add and change before submitting but make sure you write your password down.

MAKE SURE YOUR NEUROLOGIST IS 100% BEHIND YOUR DECISION. Mine told me what to say the truth – that my fatigue, inability to walk distances and worsening MS was the reason I needed to quit. Document your symptoms if you can with examples - i.e., car accidents, falls (Workers Comp claims), loss of work or sick days, etc. 

#4. They will set up an interview with you – either in person or on the phone. Mine was on the phone, about 20 minutes.  It is definitely best to have your online form completed at least a few days prior to this interview. They will love you for it! Have information on your bank account (checking or savings account number) so you can set up direct deposit.

#5. During the interview, my contact told me I would know the outcome in 3-6 months. I applied in late Feb. 2004 but worked till March 3, 2004.  I had my interview on March 5 and approval June 9. You will not receive any checks after approval until 6 months after your quit date. If you quit awhile back, yours might come sooner and be reciprocal. I set up direct deposit. Be sure and ask when you could expect your first check after approval. My approval came by phone and then in the mail.

Be sure and keep everything. They send you a form to fill out on daily activities and you select another person close to you to do the same - I selected my hubby. 

#6.  Prepare to wait. At about the one-month, mark I called my SS contact (She gave me her direct dial number) and she said the paperwork went to the local determination office. I called that office and they had everything but a response from my neurologist (his office staff failed here – best to keep in touch with them.)

I got the name of the woman doing my determination file work and asked her what I could do to help. She said to get the neuro to respond ASAP and I did that. I actually had to go to the office and tell the woman that our income was cut in half and we were struggling. She did finally get the two-page fax sent. Such a tough job!! :o)

#7. Follow-up, follow-up (you probably know this from years of working. I am 53 and 28 years I worked in offices managing, secretarial, etc. so I knew about follow-up. Then I was a reporter for two years and I learned again to keep track.) I called the determination office about two weeks later and they had received my neuro's paperwork. I asked for the office manager and I told her how personable the woman was who was helping me, only because it was very true.

I asked her how many applications they handle and she told me 200,000/year. (Wow!) I told her my experience so far was pleasant but the wait was financially a strain. Then she said, "Your cooperation is going to help your case." 

#8. They MAY have you see one of their doctors for a neuro exam but I did not need this. They know MS is not going away. That is in our favor unlike some other disabilities with a "cure" or one that is manageable and not progressive.

#9.  You get your response if you are or are not approved. I hope everyone who reads this is approved the first time.

I have learned from chatters on MSWorld that many are not approved the first time. It could be their docs and it could be the backlog in their states. For your own peace of mind, I recommend you contact your local SS determination office and ask what the usual turnaround time is for a decision. Ask what you can do to expedite your file (actually, you can't speed it up, but you can make it less of a headache for them.) Besides, learning you are approved (or not) is a relief or a catalyst to take action.

#10. You hear on approval (or not) and the paperwork begins to come in. Your birth date determines when you receive your check. Mine comes the 3rd Wed. of every month and I have it automatically deposited. I RECOMMEND THIS. 

Also, along the way I called the national SS number to get advice and was given great service. 

If you want to work Part-Time from home, that is possible but ask for the SS flyers on working while on disability. If you want to keep your disability, it is kind of tricky about how much you work and earn. So tread lightly and carefully. Ask lots of questions and read between the lines.

Any VR (vocational rehab) center will tell you their goal is to get you off disability and back to work. If you don't want to do that, be careful. I almost fell into a situation where the stress of working from home through VR's recommendations was going to be worse for me. It was hard to bow out, but I was cautious with my wording and told the truth. People don't expect that! :+o 

Also, depending on your spouse's or other income, you may or may not be eligible for SSI, which is extra income. It will be explained. And in two years after approval, you get Medicare, but ask.  Things may be different. 

To know what your disability income will be, request at http://www.ssa.gov/ a statement and it tells you right on the form what the income would be. Since I worked since I was about 17-52, mine is fairly substantial but I could not live on that income alone.

Waiting six months was devastating on us financially but much worse for many other people with no other income. 

My best advice for this process is "be prepared with information, be direct (and not gabby – I had to watch that!) Be professional. Let them know when you were diagnosed with MS and how it is changing. The main thing is you want them to know that working full-time again and supporting or co-supporting your family is out of the question because a, b, c, etc. 

God bless you on your journey. Please let me know how things are going: email