gridlore: Doug looking off camera with a grin (M-16)
Douglas Berry ([personal profile] gridlore) wrote2003-06-15 06:41 am

Crap

Last night we got a letter from SSA.

My disability claim has been denied. Evidently, having severe epilepsy doesn't qualify. So now we have to consider appealing the decision.

This really pisses me off. I'd love to have one of the people who made this decision live in my body for a week.

[identity profile] janetmiles.livejournal.com 2003-06-15 07:04 am (UTC)(link)
When I worked for lawyers who assisted with SSA disability claims, it was my observation that *every* claim was denied on the first pass, and most were denied on the second.

Whatever you decide, I wish you well.

Not sure about california.....

[identity profile] jarlsberg71.livejournal.com 2003-06-15 08:15 am (UTC)(link)
But in NY, when Jason filed for SSA, he too was deinied the first time around, and then we had "lawyer up" For some reason, this works.... I think they feel that if you're competent enough to do all this petitioning yoruself, then you must be able to work (go fig) But the "lawyer rate" for SSA is 25% of whatever they back pay you since if you win you get everything you should have gotten from the beginning. Or atleast when you first filed. For Jason this was a big sum, about $6,000 But out of that we had to pay back public assistance. but we still got $1000 for our troubles and he did get monthly income.

No luck working even part time in a gaming store around you're new area? Not only would that be up your alley, but they might pay under the table....

--John

[identity profile] mactavish.livejournal.com 2003-06-15 09:12 am (UTC)(link)
Someone at alt.support.arthritis estimates that 90% of disability requests are denied the first time around. I'm not sure where the data came from, but I'd guess it's close to accurate. The good news is that if you keep applying, when it's approved you'll be paid retroactive to your first application.

Of course, that means wading through one hell of a lot of paper and red tape.

[identity profile] bellacrow.livejournal.com 2003-06-15 07:15 pm (UTC)(link)
*nods* I think it's standard, not personal. Just look at it from a gamer's view *wince* you just have to jump through some hoops to achieve the quest.

You can do it.

[identity profile] eleri.livejournal.com 2003-06-15 06:56 pm (UTC)(link)
what they all said. Find a lawyer who specialies in SSI cases. Most of them don't need payments up front.