I started to cry as the caseworker told me I would be eligible for Medicare by July. I've been paying out of pocket for the majority of my treatment, so this will make a HUGE difference.

Thanks to everybody who talked here about how to apply for disability, especially roseisland and TxLM. I followed your example and wrote out in excruciating detail what I can no longer do. I must have bored them into it.

It works, folks! Document, document. They want paperwork, give em paperwork. Doesn't matter if it's messy, just shows you can't do it properly.

Good luck!

One thing that is a surprise...you will be elegible for Medicare THIS July?? I was told I wouldn't be elegible till TWO years after the date I was approved for SSD?? Maybe I misunderstood??

Well, I am so happy for you...this whole SSD process is so stressful...it must be such a relief to have this all settled and now you can concentrate on your health!!

All my best,
Kira

For anyone else reading this, yes, the messier the better showing that you can't spell is nice too. Details and more details.

I jsut know they got tired of reading about all my documentation about my bowel movements...you get the picture. If it is wrong with you and it interferes with your life, then, document it.

Everytime you turn down a family member or friend to do something even something simple, documentate it. Don't you jsut love my speling examples yuo can do...spice it up, DON'T give up!!!

Again, so glad that yours will be coming soon. I, too, had no ins. and the medicare has really helped me, A LOT!!!

quote:

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Originally posted by Kira:
One thing that is a surprise...you will be elegible for Medicare THIS July?? I was told I wouldn't be elegible till TWO years after the date I was approved for SSD?? Maybe I misunderstood??

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Kira, I've actually been disabled for 10 years, but my ex-husband never wanted me to apply for disability. When we got divorced, I applied for disability going back to 1999.

They won't pay that far back, but they will go back a year from when you apply. since I started the process last year in July, it will have been two years from when they consider me eligible.

Thanks, everybody, for your good wishes. I partly posted this to give people hope.

In addition to writing extensively about the details of how things affected me, I did some other things.

1. I listed every single diagnosis I've ever been given. All the problems add up. So, if somebody says you have FMS, use it! Then say how it limits you.

2. I included testimonials from my ex-husband, family, and friends. A couple of my doctors used them as part of their reports. I told my ex to let it rip about everything he wanted to complain about, in this situation it only could help.

Get them to talk about what you used to be like, and what you are like now. The gory details. Then, don't read them. Too depressing.

3. If you can see a neuropsychologist who understands what diseases like Lyme can do, and that you can afford, it will give significant weight to your case.

They do testing to see just how your function is affected. And they know how to word it so it sounds impressive.

4. Keep seeing your doctors, and let SSDI know when you see them, or when you go to somebody new, or when you start a new drug. You don't have to do it every time, but keep them updated (and bugged) by your reports.

Here's some of the info that helped me. It's talking about CFS, but the application process is the same for Lyme.

Disability Info & Resources

Completing Disability Forms

Five Crucial Steps to Winning your CFS Disability Case

Trying to Look Good When You Feel Like Crap: Don't

Daily Activities Worksheet (PDF)

SF-36 Functional Capacity (PDF)

Lift one burded from thy shoulders at a time
then one day poof they are all gone, Right-
RIGHT.

Bad spelling helps hmmmmm, I can do that,
just be myself, he he.

A sparkle in your eye today I will bet, good for you.

quote:

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Originally posted by zippysmom:
That's fantastic!!!!! You've given me hope.
I've felt stymied for a long time - not being able to afford a lawyer and not believing that getting approved w/o one was possible. Thanks so much for the info and a great big congrats to you! - and for your future wellness, too. (Maybe with less stress, you will get better!!!!!)

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The attorneys that do Social Security work do it on the contingent that you will win, no win, they do not get paid. Then the SSA takes out what they approve which is up to 25% of your back pay but no greater than, oh I forget what, but it isn't bad.

Go to www.ssa.gov and you will find all the information you'll need to get started.