Question:
Social Security Disability Claim- - - Denied!! Now What?

   — mischief85 (posted on May 16, 2003)

May 16, 2003
I am on disablity and have been since 1999. I believe that everyone is denied the first time no matter what, so do not let it discourge you. I had a heart attack, and two strokes, that left me blind on the left side of both eyes, I have short time memory loss, and anomia (forget words, like if the phone is ringing, I may not be able to remember the word phone) some lost mobility in my left hip and have no depth perception. I am a type II diabetic, and have high blood pressure and a active thyroid. I did not even use being obese as a medical condition, and was denied, get a social security attorney, they do not charge if they do not win, and stay with one that only charges 25%, any more than that you do not want, they will send you to any doctors and so will social security, that is no cost out of your pocket. The process takes longer than the process for WLS. Mine took alittle over a year to be approved. Now that I am 82 days pre-op for WLS, I am glad that I did not put my obesity down, even after surgery I will have the same problems, just be healthier, but will still be blind. This advise is only if you are going for permenate disability, if you are going for temporary disablity, it may be different. Hope this helps.
   — cindy

May 16, 2003
They usually will deny you the first time.The first time that I applied I was denied and then about 6 months later I totally reapplied and was immediately approved.The strange thing... is that I submitted the exact same info that I had submitted the first time.
   — jennifer A.

May 16, 2003
Totally agree with these posters. My dad was disabled in his 40s following a severe heart attack. He was very much disabled but it took an attorney and like 2 years before he was approved for disability. Be sure to check around and get a GOOD attorney. Even if they don't make money unless you're awarded disability, that doesn't mean they all are equally talented. I'm sure a big chunk of the time they spent fighting could have been avoided had they had a good attorney from the start. Good luck to you and don't give up!
   — Shelly S.

May 17, 2003
Stephanie - Do you have any insurance coverage? I was waiting for SSDI approval when I applied for medical coverage through the state (Medicaid). States will consider you disabled for medical coverage much easier than Social Security will. I was able to have my RNY through Medicaid and a year later I am back to work and feeling sooooooo much healthier (except for a recent gallbladder attack). I went from being on CPAP, high blood pressure meds, acid reflux med and antidepressants to being ALIVE again. Try to get your surgery while you are working with an attorney to get your SSDI. Good Luck to you - Anna LAP RNY 7/3/02 -126lbs.
   — Anna L.

May 22, 2003
I was denied the first time, but it was do to my working sporadic maybe 15 hours a month.... you have to totally stop working... I reapplied and applied for SSI as well as SSA and was approved immediately. I still dont have my postal disability (which is government like SSA, so go figure!) ALSO, it is much easier to get a mental disabilty than a physical disability (I learned that from working 15 years for Dept. of Mental Health). But make sure you apply for both SSA and SSI.
   — Kathy H.