I was DX in December of 2001. I was self-employed since 1991, a business owner with employees. In 2001, I continued working with employees for a few more years. My MS progressed and I couldn’t keep the employees busy, so they went their other ways. I kept the business going until May of 2011, doing all the work myself. I would occasionally sub out some work, but for the most part, I did everything.
The last couple of years, I was taking huge safety risks. My work was very physically demanding. I finally had to stop in May of 2011. I closed (dissolved) my business and applied for Unemployment with the state. I was denied due to my health.
That left me with the only option of SSD. I hired an attorney that specializes in SSD. There is a ton of paper work involved and you need to get ALL your medical records from ALL your doctors. Organize them and submit them to you attorney. It’s almost a full-time job.
I met with my attorney and asked him if I was spinning anyone wheels? He said absolutely not, because it wasn’t like I was applying two weeks after my DX. I continued to work for over 10 years with my DX. I didn’t want to file, but really had no other choice. I had more than enough employment hours over my career to qualify.
I didn’t have to go a hearing. With my medical and mental evaluations, documentation, medical records, I was approved the first time. My attorney fees were very minimal. They really didn’t have a lot to do.
Where I see most people failing with their SSD application is
1. Not having an attorney
2. Not having their entire medical history documented and available
3. Not discussing this with their primary physician(s)
4. Not having DX from specialist other than a Neurologist
5. Not reviewing their yearly SSN eligibility that we all get once a year
6. Applying too soon – not meeting the medical criteria
SSD only pays for TOTAL disability – not partial. Not because you have more bad days than good, but only TOTAL disability. The SSD doesn’t care about the lousy job market, the inability to find work, low pay or how difficult it is for you.
If you can sit on you bottom and answer a phone, it’s going to be hard to get SSD.
Unfortunately, it is this way for a reason. There are a record number of applications since the economic downturn; there is a lot of fraud. The representatives of the SSN are not heartless; they have to do a difficult job.
If you are denied and believe it is wrong, reapply! The clock starts ticking on your first application. When you finally get approval, the first payment goes all the way back to your first application. You will have to continue the process the whole time. Like I say, it’s almost like having a full-time job.
The last couple of years, I was taking huge safety risks. My work was very physically demanding. I finally had to stop in May of 2011. I closed (dissolved) my business and applied for Unemployment with the state. I was denied due to my health.
That left me with the only option of SSD. I hired an attorney that specializes in SSD. There is a ton of paper work involved and you need to get ALL your medical records from ALL your doctors. Organize them and submit them to you attorney. It’s almost a full-time job.
I met with my attorney and asked him if I was spinning anyone wheels? He said absolutely not, because it wasn’t like I was applying two weeks after my DX. I continued to work for over 10 years with my DX. I didn’t want to file, but really had no other choice. I had more than enough employment hours over my career to qualify.
I didn’t have to go a hearing. With my medical and mental evaluations, documentation, medical records, I was approved the first time. My attorney fees were very minimal. They really didn’t have a lot to do.
Where I see most people failing with their SSD application is
1. Not having an attorney
2. Not having their entire medical history documented and available
3. Not discussing this with their primary physician(s)
4. Not having DX from specialist other than a Neurologist
5. Not reviewing their yearly SSN eligibility that we all get once a year
6. Applying too soon – not meeting the medical criteria
SSD only pays for TOTAL disability – not partial. Not because you have more bad days than good, but only TOTAL disability. The SSD doesn’t care about the lousy job market, the inability to find work, low pay or how difficult it is for you.
If you can sit on you bottom and answer a phone, it’s going to be hard to get SSD.
Unfortunately, it is this way for a reason. There are a record number of applications since the economic downturn; there is a lot of fraud. The representatives of the SSN are not heartless; they have to do a difficult job.
If you are denied and believe it is wrong, reapply! The clock starts ticking on your first application. When you finally get approval, the first payment goes all the way back to your first application. You will have to continue the process the whole time. Like I say, it’s almost like having a full-time job.
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