disability came back with a list of questions

[mlch]

I filed for SSDI online and turned in all my paperwork about month ago. Now they have come back with 3 set of documents for me to fill out and a one lengthy one for my husband to answer. ALot of the questions a very similiar to stuff I already answered online. I'm unsure how to properly answer most of these questions as they pertain to my ability to do things.
Example: Please indicate the pace at which you are able to do the following activities: showering, getting dressed, make a bed, cook, dust, yard work, ect. How long do you need to rest between each activity? which of these activities do you do on a weekly or daily basis? how long does it take to do?
Other questions such as: how far can you walk at a normal pace?

I don't know how to respond. Should I answer as if I am baseline, mid-flare, at my worse? Then I can do most of the activities to an extent but too much would exacerbate my symptoms.

Is this normal that they sent out these follow-up surveys for me and my husband? Does mean they are more likely to deny me or does mean things could be looking in my favor?

Thanks for the help from those who have been there!

[jensue973]

I am in the middle of a appeal since I was denied my first time around and after I applied the 1st time and after I applied I received these forms to fill out. They were a pain to me cause alot of the question basically I felt I was answering the same question over and over. I believe it is just a process they do as part of applying. I gave them answers at how I felt when I was at my worst and when I felt my best, which isnt' alot... I went into complete detail about everything so nothing I said was misunderstood. Good luck filling them out...

Jennifer

[Marilyn Rute]

response to Laura-disability questions

Yes, I believe the follow-up survey is the norm, including the one for your husband. My son and I received the same. And yes you are asked the same questions.!! I printed out my application before I submitted it. If you did, refer to it when answering. . If not, since it’s only been a month you may remember your responses. If your symptoms have worsened since then, have you answers reflect that... Include any new doctors, tests and treatments. Your answers should reflect you ability to function when you are at your WORSE ! I would suggest you and your husband fill out his form together. If you haven’t already been seen by SSDI physicians it may be the next step. If you are asked to see their physician be sure to stress you illness and symptoms at their worse. It may be a good idea to bring a brief description of IC (they won’t take the time to read anything too time consuming). If you had a cystoscopy with hydrodistention bring that photo with the diagnosis. Anything that may help your case.

Be aware, most cases are denied at round one. Don’t be discouraged if you are!! I filed 18 months ago, also online. I received the second set of questions 6 months after filing, a denial 6 months later. Fortunately, I was told before hand that most applicants are denied at round one, so I wasn’t too upset when I received the letter. If you are denied, I suggest you enlist an attorney. You are not required to pay a fee unless you win your case. I’m told an attorney will not accept your case if they don’t believe they will win. It’s been 6 months since my attorney requested a hearing, which usually is the step after you are first denied. She assures my delay is because I live in the New Orleans area and everything is at a very slow pace here since Hurricane Katrina. Your case seems to be on the fast track. Good Luck, keep us posted.

Most importantly, DON’T GET DISCOURAGED!

[mlch]

Thanks for the replies, all the support and info sure does help! this whole process is unnerving.

[SandyRN]

What they are asking is if you can function sometimes at a normal pace, which means you are not disabled in their eyes and if you can participate in normal daily activities like making the bed, showering, etc, with no difficulty, then, according to them, you ought to be able to work.

When you fill out your answers make sure you tell them, for example, yes, I can make my bed, but I am so exhausted after doing it that I have to lay down for 20 minutes. I'm not saying THIS is what you should say exactly, rather tell them what the consequences are for doing this daily activity. Does that make sense?

I was denied my first time around too....then I got a lawyer who handled everything for me and it was the best thing I ever did. The judge I saw told me it was ridiculous for my case to have gone on so long and told me I had more than enough proof in my medical charts.

I saw the SS doctor and psyhiatrist, both of who barely looked at me and really acted as if they could care less...both of them deemed me physically and mentally competent to work a full time job!!!!!!! Thankfully the judge thought otherwise.

Hopefully Elle will come along and read this post...she's our resident SSDI expert here!