Question:
Could someone point me in the right direction regarding permanent disability>

I know there are a few of you out there on Permanent Disibility and I would appreciate any help. A few months before my RNY I was diagnosed with a disabling muscle/nerve disease. Up until that time I had worked 50 hours a week for the last 25 years. My neurologist put me on temporary disability and I have been on it for 4 months. I went to him yesterday and he states that I will NEVER be able to go back to the type of work I once did. I spent 6 years in college and I have no idea what else I could do. Anyway, he suggests applying for permanent disability. I have no idea how to go about that. I have heard that it is a long drawn out process and you are usually denied the first two times you apply. Also, once you are approved, does that mean that you can NEVER work again. I'm wondering if at one point I will be able to work or learn a new skill will I be able to get a job. If anyone can help me with this it would be much appreciated.    — [Anonymous] (posted on November 15, 2001)

November 15, 2001
You can apply for disability benefits at your local Social Security Office. The application process is quite simple. You go in and sit dowh with a Claims Representative. He/she will forward the medical part to reviewers who specialize in making disability determinations based on SSA regulations. They'll request medical records and information from your doctors. In certain circumstances they require that applicants be examined by their own physicians. I sincerely doubt that the denial rate is as high as you think. But, if you are denied benefits, there is an appeals process. Social Security defines "disability" as a condition that prevents you from working, in any field, and it must be a permanent condition. For example, my brother has had several hip surgeries and has limited movement in his hip, he uses a cane and can't walk very far. He won't ever be able to work as an automatic again. That was his profession for over 20 years. He's been denied SS disability because while he can't work at his customary profession, he can work at a sit-down position. The fact that he isn't trained for such a job is irrelevant. His "reconsideration" was denied and now he is working on an appeal with a disability attorney. On the other hand, my sister had a stroke and is paralyzed on her left side. Her disability application was approved within a matter of weeks. Remember that there is an 8 month waiting period. Meaning that if you are a approved, your checks start 8 months after the date of your application. If you are approved and feel you can return to work at some point, SSA gives you a nine month trial work period. If you successfully complete the trial work period, they terminate your benefits and you rejoin the workforce. If you call the Social Security Admin. they will walk you through the whole process. Good Luck.
   — [Anonymous]

November 15, 2001
First of all, let me say that I totally understand. I have multiple sclerosis and had to research going on permanent SS disability myself earlier this year. Fortunately, my symptoms remitted, and I was able to return to work ... but the whole experience scared me to death. Just be aware, the approval process takes approximately 5 months, and that's if everything goes smoothly. During that time, you will not be eligible for any financial support. The approval rate is high as long as you have the full support of your physician, who will have to provide loads of paperwork in support of your claim. Good luck to you and *HUGS*.
   — Terissa R.

November 15, 2001
I work for Disability Determination (I process the SS disability claims) and there is no given time frame - it all depends on what condition you have, how quickly your medical records are received (if your doctor responds!) and how many claims are waiting to be reviewed by physicians. Depending on whether you qualify for Title 2 (which you earn credits for by working and paying into the system) or Title 16 (income/asset based) or both, if approved you may have a 5 month wait from the established onset date of your disability (this is w/ Title 2)... There are many, many factors that are considered and before an approval can be made, it must be determined that you can't return to ANY type of other work if you can't return to your past work. It sounds complicated and it is... when you fill out your application, be sure to list all your conditions and have all your information ready regarding treatment and contacts for records. Fill out all your paperwork AS SOON AS YOU GET IT and send it back right away- that is a major reason for delays. As for being denied twice before you qualify that is totally untrue. By the time many people have applied that many times their ages have gotten to the range of "advanced age" or "closely approaching advanced age" and the guidelines for returning them to work (be it past work or other work) are much more strict... You can work while receiving benefits if your income from that employment is less than $740 per month. Just be sure to let your local SS office know you are back at work. I can tell you that I do NOT do anything differently for a claimant that has an attorney; we just have to contact the attorney first before we call you on the phone (if we need to call you!). Otherwise, it isn't sped up or treated differently at all. Sorry for the long post but I wanted to tell you a little about it and posted anonomously because I don't want to be bombarded with questions. I hope you understand :)
   — [Anonymous]