The Social Security office is telling me I have to be off work for 5 months before I can get approved - you could lose your home by then!

But, remember this...it is NOT the disease that you are awarded SSD or SSDI. IT is what the symptoms of that disease that prevents you from working that they will base your case on to get an approval.

Much, and I mean much has been posted on this and good links given, both in Medical and in General Forums. I just wrote, I believe it was yesterday a rather lengthly post just on this subject. You may use my name in the search and you'll get a lot of those posts, as I have responded to as many as I could.

It took me from April 2000 til December 2003 to see a dime. Most of ALL the people that apply are turned down the first time (of course as with anything, there are exceptions). Most folks with a death sentence diagnosis, such as some of the Leukemias do get it without having to go through a 3 step process, 1st denial, reconsideration and then the Judge.

Those three steps are more common than not.

Some states have more workers on the SS and will get to you faster, but, most do not and the process is very, very slow. So, Getting Social Security Disability or SSI usually is NOT a quick fix.

The two most important things that I can tell you is:

1) Get to an attorney that specializes in Social Security Disability claims.

2) THIS ONE IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT things you can do and it is get letters from your doctors supporting that you can no longer work at anything or any job full-time.

The SSA put a high score on what YOUR doctors say.

AS for getting approved in 5 months and getting your money, that is a best-case and not usual with those who have our symptoms of fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue.

Then if and when you get approved, it can be another 4-6 months before you actually get a dime. So, you'd have to plan to be off work for at least a year before money would be in the picture...but, more than likely longer...much longer.

If you do not know how to do a search, Dan has provided a step-by-step instructions on how to do a search.

http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum5/HTML/000464.html

Remember, you must not be working when you first apply and if you go back to work during the process, you will not get approved and will have to start over with a new application.

Check and see if you can begin your application now. It will take them, and you, at least five months to process it.

Rosemary is right, they award the disability based on your function, or lack of it. However, you have to have proof, so a diagnosis they understand, and a doctor's testimony make a difference.

Here are some links to get you started. Some of them mention CFS, but it all applies equally to Lyme.

How to use the Lymenet Search

To put it simply, the difference is how much money or assests one has and whether one has paid enough credits through their working in the past. If you have ENOUGH credits, assets and access to money, then you'd get SSDI...

if you qualify for your state's Medicaid program, then the Social Disability program you'd qualify for is SSI and would NOT qualify for Medicare.

Here's what the www.ssa.gov site says the difference is:

Both programs are administered by the Social Security Administration. For most people, the medical requirements for each program are the same and the person's disability is determined by the same process, although each program has some distinctions, as noted below.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a program financed with Social Security taxes paid by workers, employers and self-employed persons.

In order to be eligible for a Social Security benefit, the worker must earn sufficient credits based on taxable work. Disability benefits are payable to disabled workers, disabled widow(er)'s or adults disabled since childhood, who are otherwise eligible. Auxiliary benefits may be payable to a worker's dependents, as well.

The monthly disability benefit payment is based on the Social Security earnings record of the insured worker on whose Social Security number the disability claim is filed.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a program financed through general tax revenues.

SSI disability benefits are payable to adults or children who are disabled or blind, who have limited income and resources, who meet the living arrangement requirements, and are otherwise eligible.

The monthly payment varies up to the maximum federal benefit rate which is standardized in all States, but not everyone gets the same amount because it may be supplemented by the State or decreased by other countable income and resources.

Yes, you are right about SSDI and SSI. However, at least in CA, there is also state disability that covers the short term. This is ususally only available if you were employed, not self employed.

It is not Medicaid, but a program that the employer pays into. In addition to CA, I know that New York also has this, and I would guess most states. It is usually not a lot of money, but it is better than zero.

I had no reall diagnosis then. I had been to a sleep dr. cuz i was sleeping 20 hrs of every day and never refreshed. They said I had excessive daytime sleepiness (eds) with possible narcolepsy. I was labled drug resistant cuz none of the drugs they gave me worked or else I couldnt take them due to side effect.

You know the routine, thyroid, groth hormone definiency and on and on. 3 months ago they now tell me i have lyme.