I got denied for SSDI. Is there anything else I can do w/out hiring a lawyer? I have a lot on my plate right now, as we all do, but we're in the process of trying to buy a house. It will probably be a fixer upper b/c that's all we can afford so there's a bunch of stress that comes along w/that and I don't think I can mentally deal with a court case trying to get SSDI. I know there's probably no other answer though...
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
laura,
yes, you can ....
did you SUPPORTIVE DR. complete a RESIDUAL FUNCTION CAPACITY, RFC, form ??
all, please go to top of SUPPORT and click on MINOUCAT'S DISABILITY info.
print it all out; huge volume of good info there especially CONNIE MC'S Q/As to be completed by your SUPPORTIVE drs.
here's the key on winning SSDI, disability insurance benefits:
now your drs. need to complete each of the questions based upon on how your HEALTH TODAY; not last day you worked:
RESIDUAL FUNCTION CAPACITY, RFC, form
how long you can do the below examples daily!' *******************************************************
0-2 hrs., 2-4, 4-6 , and 6-8 hours
sitting, standing lifting crawling bending climbing using your hands cognitive skills
it's these things your being approved for will win your case! NEVER THE ILLNESSES when it is NOT on the list of approved list of impairments!!
so for those denied or just submitted, go immediately to minoucat's info and print it off; read over and over to comprehend it all.
then get those needed documents to build your case of winning 1st time, 1st step. otherwise it takes 2.5 years to get your admin law judge hearing face-to-face or a LIVE CONFERENCE video one.
we're all speaking from personal experiences.
in my case, my hired lawyer of almost 4 entire years quit me when 1st was at appeals council where he did NOT SUBMIT A BRIEF; so after 2.5 yrs. of being there and NOT opened; AC did NOT have to look at my 3-4" file. they only had to look over my denial from aljudge's notes!!
i went thru both of my 2 claims and started noting things taking 8 wks. to do this. typed up my report and used their list of APPROVED IMPAIRMENTS showing their chapters that matched my medical conditions documented by drs.
had connie's special Q/A forms completed, and i feel the things I DID were what won it for me, and i had a video live w/judge. he said it would be several months before i heard from him and NOT TO CALL HIM.
he approved me in 2 wks!! went back 3 yrs. but NOT back to 1st claim!
Posted by DeafFromLyme (Member # 18795) on :
Sorry to hear that Laura, this state is terible for that! My son has MANY physical handicaps including O2 needs, COPD, Cognitive and ohysicall delays, Hypotonia the list is endless and he can't get it either....
I have never fought it though.
Posted by laura j (Member # 14257) on :
Betty G,
So I'm in the process of sending in my appeal. Do I include the RFC forms along with that? It doesn't say anywhere that I can do that. Can I do it anyway?
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
laura,
YES YOU CAN! send in as many SUPPORTIVE Q/A medical reports as you can!!
write or type a letter with NORMAL ERRORS since this is part of our problems; DON'T CORRECT EVERYTHING. show them the way it is daily for you...
have a detailed list of everything you are sending for your records:
5-20-09 visit to Dr. Joe Blow about chronic fatigue; not sleeping at night; wake up unfreshed, body aching all over. (2 sheets)
5-20-09 RESIDUAL FUNCTION CAPACITY complete by Dr. Joe Blow, my primary dr.
4-30-09 appt. with allergist, dr. hornblower, and tell why and SHOW ANY MEDS THEY PRESCRIBED...NEW MEDS for every dr. this applies to... name, dosage, how often, and why it's given.
anyway send a copy of this to DDS w/all your medical NEW records you're sending;
make a copy of this letter and the originals of drs. reports.....SEND CERTIFIED; SEE BELOW! ************************************************
did your primary dr. complete the RFC/residual function capacity and your LLMD?
any other drs. you see regulary who will SUPPORT YOU?
MAKE COPIES OF EVERYTHING; never send the original; keep them; send them copies.
i also note the date they are sent and to WHOM on each group or if necessary, per page...
example. mailed 5-20-09 to DDS, and show my initials, bg
this way when you later want to review your ENTIRE CLAIM at local SS office, you don't have to spend time looking over that stuff.
you want to see what ammunition dds has in your files so you can counter claim them with SUPPORTIVE info.
do you have a lawyer?
i discovered my lawyer/secretary did NOT SEND alot of my stuff of in a timely manner! FORMER lawyer.
if you are dealing directly with DDS staff, mail it CERTIFIED WITH A RETURN RECEIPT where they have to sign/date it!! //////////////////////////////////////////
crucial since they lose alot down there!
have you also looked thru MINOUCAT'S DISABILITY INFO AT TOP OF SUPPORT? i believe most of my stuff is in there plus CONNIE MC'S "IMPORTANT Q/A" forms that will help you WIN your case with supportive drs. completing them.
that's what i talked about above or in someone else's since i post to many of you and have SHORT-TERM memory bad!
when is the date of 60 days expire? you want to send as much SUPPORTIVE good medical documentation as possible.
if you don't have it NOW, get it down PROMPTLY!
i set up longer appt. times with these drs. to complete it there on the spot and they charged me for regular office visits or extended times.
good luck; keep us all informed; many of us have experience; mine finally approved 3 yrs. ago.
some have been recently; each state is different too! and BACKLOGS are unbelievable; so you need to convince them NOW to be approved ASAP! xox
Posted by Need Lots of Help (Member # 18603) on :
Can anyone tell me how long it takes to get your first denial or approval? I applied on April 22. I know it is a long haul, but do they have to give me some type of answer within so many days??
Shalome
Posted by laura j (Member # 14257) on :
I think they say about 3-7 mos. I believe mine took about 2 mos.
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
it's normally 2 months plus!! from starting step 1 to get a LIVE ADMIN LAW JUDGE HEARING is 2.5 years plus!!
so that's why it's so important to get accurate, 100% SUPPORTIVE MEDICAL DOCUMENTS there at step one so they can NOT deny you.
you their BLUE BOOK OF LIST OF APPROVED MEDICAL IMPAIRMENTS; read the chapters pertaining to YOUR health issues.
use THEIR terminology in your paperwork they do. i've outlined this before .... go to minoucat's DISABILITY info at top of support.
read all of her entire post/replies; you will learn alot! things to save you years of hell like my 5 yrs. of hell to be approved on my 2nd claim!
Posted by laura j (Member # 14257) on :
Thanks so much Betty G for breaking it down for me! I tried to look at minoucat's info and it was so vast that it was just too overwhelming for me to comprehend. I know that I will have to figure out how to get all that info in my brain but as you know that's not easy.
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
laura, do you have SUPPORTIVE FAMILY/FRIENDS to help you?
have them come over OR they can do this from their homes.... give them minoucat's direct link of this info.
ask them to print it out and read over & over and then explain it to you. THE MORE MINDS THE MERRIER! xox
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xox