What are they going to ask me??

If you can direct me to some Tutorials on how to get through this, I would appreciate it.

You can bring anyone with you to talk on your behalf. You do not need an attorney. A trusted friend, really smart cousin, even your insurance agent.

Anyway it is a stall for time so you can better prepare. Just a thought.

Keep it as a phone interview; no need for personal visit! It's just basic SIMPLE questions asked of you ... your SS no., name, date of birth, address, are you a citizen, etc. Perhaps the rules have this in...I don't have the time to check.

Here is EVERYTHING about the complete SSDI process; their rules/regulations! BOOKMARK IT PLEASE as you will come back often to read up on the next steps!

http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/404/404-0000.htm

Go to MINOUCAT'S post about INSURANCE SSDI, etc. Copy the DISINISSUES info and BOOKMARK that one!

It's a MUST HAVE TO WIN your SSDI on the 1st try; 1st STEP!! Must go now; back tomorrow.

bettyg., Iowa

Party at my house when I get the first check ..... if I still have a house

Also, he always advised people to hire an attorney. It may cost you upfront but your chances are much better.

If you hire a lawyer, make sure he can represent you in CIVIL/FEDERAL COURT. My former lawyer, Scott Davis, Phoenix, a specialist w/fibromyalgia & chronic fatigue clients, could NOT, and never told me that until he quit me!!

here's more info I couldn't get into earlier today before I left.....

Welcome to this 24/7 educational & support group board!

Here's TREEPATROL's and TINCUP'S combination newbie links.
http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/029917.html

Print off the links then check them off as you read as you could spend several months reading all of this. Treepatrol constantly adds new links as they become available from the members here.

print & read Dr. Barrascono's info first; you will come back to this often.

Also, see Cheryl's extensive web sites on: LD DIAGNOSIS, SYMPTOMS, & TREATMENT ... wonderful!
http://www.lymeinfo.net/lymediseasetreatment.html

Some guidelines from Betty/others on using this message board:

* Do NOT use all caps when posting; it's hard on our eyes. But I know one of our members has macular degeneration, and all caps is what she can see & read so exceptions like this are acceptable for good reasons.

* We chronic, late-stage lymies can NOT read long paragraphs. So please limit your paragraphs to 6-8 lines max of text and double space between paragraphs.

* You can EDIT your text comments anytime. You can NOT edit your subject line so please make it as specific as possible instead of ``help, question'' etc. in order to have more readers/replies in trying to assist you. There are between 30-40 NEW/replies to post daily so we can't read all the posts on our limited time here...thanks for understanding.

* If you use the ``quote'' icon, please DELETE [B] bold at the beginning & ending of the quote. This makes it easier on our chronic, late-stage lyme eyes.

* To just reply without quoting, go to the top or bottom of screen in the black & white area to reply or post a new topic. Many of us couldn't see it when we 1st started posting. Thank you for helping us all out!
*
Bettyg, Iowa
=============================================

IF YOU ARE TRYING TO GET SS DISABILITY INSURANCE or LONG TERM DISABILITY BENEFITS
=============================================

This message is sent upon subscription, and again monthly.
Please let the moderators know if any of the links have changed.

There are several links found by clicking on 'Links' on the website or by going directly to
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links

There are many more links, as well as advice, in the "useful" messages
in the Files area of the website. Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Disinissues
and click on Files.

BETTY NOTE: Look at the female MD's DETAILED BACKGROUND right below this paragraph. Print off her detailed responses as to why she could NOT do her job, and then apply that to YOUR own job as to why you no longer can do any type of sustainable work now nor in the foreseeable future!
http://www.cfids-me.org/socsec.html

These links are a compilation of several areas of interest which are
commonly requested and mentioned. They reflect the collected wisdom
of this group. Check them out - you just might find the information
you were looking for!

Take a look at Files that are not specific to
your situation, because they might be helpful anyway - what works for
Social Security may work for LTD claims, what applies to CFS may apply
to your medical condition.

The Welcome Message and Group Guidelines are also in Files, if you need a refresher on how this group works.

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An online friend of mine from disinissues web site posted this info today, so I have copied it over here.

Subject: fibro/CFS disability info [Disinissues] what does an Functional Capacity Exam entail?

Lyme, fibro, & CFS support group members who are/will be filing for SS Disability insurance benefits, please go to the web page shown below.

There were 9 pages of info I printed below area where you can order from fibro network a 70 page packet. I too plan on including this info when I send my FINAL packet of info to chief alj before my June 16, 05 hearing...my last chance!
=======================================

Please read the site mentioned on: WHY DISABILITY TESTING FOR FMS IS OFTEN MISLEADING ADVICE FOR FM/CFS PATIENTS AND THEIR DISABILITY TEAM.....

Also after this article are the following articles:

WHAT COULD BE CAUSING DELAYED-PHASE FLARES?

BENNETT'S METHOD FOR ASSESSING FUNCTION IN FMS..

TECTONIC CHANGES IN DISABILITY LAW by lawyer Joshua Potter, CALIF.

MEDICALLY DETERMINABLE IMPAIRMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR CFS & FMS

DOCUMENTIONATION...VIEW IT AS AN INSURANCE POLICY

I printed this out in larger print for my eyes....9 pages! Will read it thoroughly and mark up 2nd copy to go to ALJudge for my 2nd hearing as medical evidence also....

The maximum they can receive is currently $5300 for a case plus expenses. There is a formula that I forget that limits the amount a lawyer can recieve.

The main thing you will need to file is a list of all the doctors and hospitals you have seen during the time frame of your claim. Social security will have you sign medical release forms and they will request records from everyone on this list REGARDLESS of whether the doctor could help or even made a diagnosis.

After hubby was denied we reviewed file and learned that several key doctors did not bother to respond and send records.

Have been waiting over a year for appeal hearing to be scheduled and lawyer says it could be another year yet.

Bea Seibert

Also ask for a VIDEO hearing vs. one where you are in the same room with them.

Video hearings can be done much sooner. Also what I liked was having all the lights off but one, NO PERFUME, and other chemicals from smokers, etc. present in room .... just me there alone in there.

Despite what others are saying, I did my interview in person and I think it actually helped my case. but I brought a friend/advocate who presented all my info for me. There was no way I would have been able to gather and organize it all myself and I think it helped to let them see that.