To Tina Brown

[Tx-Brenda]

Tina, thank you for your message, but not sure if I can help you completely. You didn't say how old you are, I was 50 when I first applied and that helped me because they considered me too old to retrain in some other field. My first suggestion is to call the 800 number for Social Security and they will be able to answer your questions. Friends had told me that I would be denied at least 3 times, not to get discouraged, think thats what they want you to do. Also my friends reccomended I hire a lawyer, the kind that handles disability and only takes a certain amount or % of overall amount that you might receive and of course if you do not qualify, you don't have to pay anything. I asked my uro and family doctor to write letters describing IC and how it has changed my life. You will need to list all treatments, surgeries, hospital stays and medicines(the SS office will supply forms). If you get a lawyer, at least this is what mine did, after the first round of papers you turn in, all you have to do is inform the lawyer of any changes in meds, hospital stays or anything else. I cannot stress how much information you need to gather, it will benefit you in the long run. I know it sounds like a big ordeal, but it just takes time. Make sure you make copies of ALL paperwork you send in. If you think you can handle it by yourself and not hire a lawyer, that is your choice. My lawyer explained to me how long it would take because I would be considered in the Dallas/Oklahoma City area and because of the large area it would take several months. I only went before one judge and had to wait 21 months. The SS office will hold back the first 5 months if you are lucky enough to qualify. If you have any other questions, please feel free to email me, [email protected] Sending gentle hugs, TX-Brenda. :p