I'm Approved!!!!

[momw/ic]

So excited!! I got my letter today that I am fully approved for SSD. I applied exactly a year ago and had just applied for a hearing before the judge. I have been waiting to be assigned a court date so when the mail came today I figured that was what it was about. Apparently my case has been re-examined leading up to the hearing with the judge and I was approved and don't have to go before the judge. Not only that but it appears that I am eligible for an additional 12 months of back pay for a total of 24 months. It should be from Dec. 2006 since that is when they named me officially disabled but they no longer give that much back pay. Crazy! Anyway, I will believe it for real when I start getting my money but I am finally allowing myself to be hopeful! It was also nice to be VALIDATED. To read in the judges on words that I am indeed disabled and to a point that "she cannot even perform the most sedentary of jobs". It makes all the years of pain somewhat better to be acknowledged! That feels almost just as good as the approval. ha ha

Good luck to everyone else still waiting...

[nineteenwinters]

Congrats! You must be so relieved that journey is finally over.

[Beverly001]

mom w ic

Hello! Glad that you got approved! I'm sure that is a relief for you. I was just wondering what you did to start the process. I just recently got diagnosed with IC in July. I am on so many differrent meds and I just started the Elmioron instaillians. I had my first instaillian last Thursday. I aso have started doing pevlic stimulation. Yesterday was the first day for me to start the pevlic stimulation. Than they have me get the Elmioron installitian adfter the stimulation. I was in a lot of pain when I went in yesterday and the doctor decided to give me a double dose of the Elmorion. My doctor also gave me two different pain meds to try. She said she doesn't usually give pain meds for IC, but she knew I was in pain and wanted to try and get it under control. I was in alot of pain when I went home. This morning I could not get ready for work I was in so much pain and hurting. I just called the urolgoist to see if this was normal? The nurse told me that she was going to get with the doctor and call me back, well they called back and told me to take the pain pills today and rest and my doctor was going to have a meeting with another doctor to dicuss further opitions. And they woud call me back tomorrow. I am really stressing out about all this, and I know I need to be at work cause I need the money. I work at an Elementary school and feel that I am out of the classroom for the bathroom more than I am in the classroom. Any information would be helpful to me.

Thanks so much,
Beverly

[momw/ic]

First Beverly, I am so sorry you are going through this. I was diagnosed in July also but in 2002. I also have a flare up every July/August. It really makes me wonder. After my diagnosis in 2002 I continued to work because I had an amazing boss who let me work from home and days I had to be in the office I laid in the sick room bed and only answered my calls. Even got me a laptop! The in 2004 we moved out of state and thats when i realized that unless I had a boss like that I could not work with IC. I had several jobs and finally in Dec. 2006 I was fired because of my IC after only 3 months. I still didn't file for disability because I thought it was too hard and that I wouldn't get it anyway. We moved again and now reality has been hitting and we have a child approaching college. I would get my statement every quarter from SS and see what I "could" get if I should become disabled. I would think "I AM"!! Finally on August 30, 2010 I sat down at the computer and applied online. I also found an attorney who gets paid only If I win and gets paid from my backpay. Most of the SS attorneys are like this. The way mine worked is that when I got my first denial about 4 months after I first applied I sent a copy to them and they were officially retained. From then on they took care of all of my paperwork and interaction with the SS office. I just reported to the attorney. I was denied again the first of June. So my attorney filed a petition to request a hearing before the Judge for me. I had received notice a few weeks ago that my request had been granted and I would receive a courtdate for approximately a year from now. Apparently they have a system where an attorney advisor helps the judge by going through cases before setting a court date to see if they can easily be settled by a denial or approval. Thank the Lord that he thought mine was an easy approval. All throughout his statement he talked about how obviously I met the requirements and was fully disabled. Now, why they can't just do this on the front end I will never know. The system is seriously messed up. And...who knows how long until I start receiving my checks but I figure having an attorney who wants to be paid will help with getting the back pay. The back pay goes back to the time you first applied so for me 12 months. Then if they determine you were disable at least 12 months prior to that it will go back another 12 months. For me they set my date as the day I was fired Dec. 4, 2006. Too bad the back pay doesn't go back that far. It should...I would have been working all that time if I hadn't gotten sick. Good luck! I do think you can get temporary disability to cover the first few months to a year until you see if any treatment is going to help you.

[Beverly001]

Disability

Thanks Mom w/IC. Sounds like you have been through some hard times with the IC as well. Do you know how you try to get the temporary disability? Do you have to have a lawer for that? Maybe if I can get the temporary disability for a while, to see if any of these treatments are going to help would be helpful. As with my job I can not work from home. Sorry to keep bothering you.

Thanks for the information,
Beverly

[momw/ic]

I think it's through your job. I have a friend who used it for her pregnancy/maternity leave after a difficult pregnancy. I know she applied at work. That's really all I know about it. Sorry! I do know that as long as you are working - even if you are not doing a very good job at it - it is harder to get SSD. And...you aren't bothering me!! Holler at me anytime!

[katrina0410]

I Won My Disability Yesterday!!!!!

Hi IC Family....it has been a long time coming....I was denied 2x with a lawyer and finally got my day....my lawyer told me not to go in there saying...."I can't walk this far or I can't stand this long" the judge wants to hear yards, feet, minutes, seconds....When I went in there was a Medical Expert, Vocational Expert, the Judge(very nice man) the typist, my lawyer and myself...I was sitting in front of the judge....the judge sent me a letter letting me know what questions he would be asking to determine if i am able to work a full 8 hours job.....well...he only asked me two....what was my last job, what kind of work i did.....well, i also let the judge know i needed bathroom breaks, which are frequent....he told me to go whenever i felt like because this is what we are here for.....he took into consideration how many times i went....he asked the Medical Expert his opinion on IC....This Brilliant Doctor blew me away and my lawyer...he explained how IC disables a person, how we are constantly up and down going to washroom, that this was a debilitating disease, there is no cure..he read all the procedures i went through and that there is nothing else left to do and how unsuccessful these treatments are...he said there is no way this young lady can carry on any kind of job the way she runs to washroom and in pain....i felt the judge sympathy, he kept looking at me and i was crying so hard because everything the Medical Expert said was so true...then it was the Vocational Experts turn.....he had nothing to say....he left the room...i hugged the doctor, thanked the judge and hugged my lawyer....yesterday was the best day of my life and i feel so much calm and serenity in my life right now....I wish everyone else the best.....it is scary and it is nerve wrecking, but I prayed to god and I said if i get nervous and act nervous, then i would probably mess up, so i prayed for god to give me courage, wisdom and strength to get me through this....i went in there determined...I thought about my bills piling up and my medical bills and the pain that i stay in.....just keep the faith, have all your papers and most of all have all your doctors behind you, have them write letters in your behalf and this will help you a great deal....thank you Jill for your support, thank you Kathy for your support and shoulder...i am here if anyone need to ask me any questions.....

[katrina0410]

I Won My Disability Yesterday!!!!!

Just wanted to say something else to you family.....listening in the lobby.....i noticed lawyers asking clients about their doctors.......it helps a great deal, if your doctors are behind you 100%......from listening to medical expert, he was reading sections my doctors had wrote.....I had my Primary Doctor, My Psychiatrist and my Urologist all write to judge that i was unable to work and wasn't stable to work due to IC......I really hope this help......God Bless all of you, we are truly a family....if a person could fit in our shoes for one day, they will know what we go through and how this disease really is.....Lots of Love

[momw/ic]

Congrats for winning! I just got my approval this week too. I was waiting for a date to go before the Judge and just out of nowhere got an approval letter. You are right about the doctors supporting you. I didn't have any letters from my docs because we hadn't gotten that far yet - attorney was in process of requesting them. BUT my medical records were heavily documented all they way back from the beginning as to how IC affected me. Make sure you are seeing good docs who document, document, document. In the "reason for decision" letter that I got from SS that explains how and why they decided what they did there were 3 pages of quotes straight out of my medical records dating back to 2002 that they used to support my disability claim. It also seemed to really make a difference that I see a pain management doc. Now this could just be the particular person who decided my case but he emphasized that several times.

Still trying to figure out what all comes next now that I'm approved but like Katrina said...I feel like a huge weight has been lifted and while I don't have my money yet I feel like the worst is over. And to have been ACKNOWLEDGED...is the best feeling ever!

[katrina0410]

Hi Mom w/ic

I was just reading your messages before i read the final one...I know you were in complete shock when you opened your mail....It feels so great just knowing that the words "Ms.____ you are being granted full disability, you meet all the requirements". I have been so full of joy all day yesterday and today (still in pain) but HAPPY!!!!...they told me it would be within 2 weeks that i will get my letter of approval and within the month for my money...after i get the letter, i was told i could get Medicare, Circuit Breaker (i don't know if you get this in all states) my husband gets this since he is on disability...you get so much amount of money back every year (if I'm explaining this right) but i too want to know what all is done now..I think i saw something on here that tells you what steps are required after approval..I am so happy for you, I pray, pray from my soul that our other IC families, that have applied get theirs too....because it is a hard task to try to work and deal with this everyday and then you have people that don't know how we feel and would fire us on the spot......email me back anytime and if you find out anything!!!!! Have a Good Night, Sweetie!!!

[amaranthe]

Dear Momw/ic,

Congratulations on finally winning! I remember you coming on here in the beginning and even remember when you applied, not to mention the long time waiting, waiting and then waiting! Whew! It sure seemed like it took forever for you to be approved, but I am so very happy for you that you finally won your case. At least now you can breathe again financially since you will know that money will be coming in every sigle month. I am on disability too for IC, so I know the whole process you went thru and how good it feels when you DO finally win your benefits! So congratulations again!

Sending hugs,
Amaranthe

[amaranthe]

Hi IC Family....it has been a long time coming....I was denied 2x with a lawyer and finally got my day....my lawyer told me not to go in there saying...."I can't walk this far or I can't stand this long" the judge wants to hear yards, feet, minutes, seconds....When I went in there was a Medical Expert, Vocational Expert, the Judge(very nice man) the typist, my lawyer and myself...I was sitting in front of the judge....the judge sent me a letter letting me know what questions he would be asking to determine if i am able to work a full 8 hours job.....well...he only asked me two....what was my last job, what kind of work i did.....well, i also let the judge know i needed bathroom breaks, which are frequent....he told me to go whenever i felt like because this is what we are here for.....he took into consideration how many times i went....he asked the Medical Expert his opinion on IC....This Brilliant Doctor blew me away and my lawyer...he explained how IC disables a person, how we are constantly up and down going to washroom, that this was a debilitating disease, there is no cure..he read all the procedures i went through and that there is nothing else left to do and how unsuccessful these treatments are...he said there is no way this young lady can carry on any kind of job the way she runs to washroom and in pain....i felt the judge sympathy, he kept looking at me and i was crying so hard because everything the Medical Expert said was so true...then it was the Vocational Experts turn.....he had nothing to say....he left the room...i hugged the doctor, thanked the judge and hugged my lawyer....yesterday was the best day of my life and i feel so much calm and serenity in my life right now....I wish everyone else the best.....it is scary and it is nerve wrecking, but I prayed to god and I said if i get nervous and act nervous, then i would probably mess up, so i prayed for god to give me courage, wisdom and strength to get me through this....i went in there determined...I thought about my bills piling up and my medical bills and the pain that i stay in.....just keep the faith, have all your papers and most of all have all your doctors behind you, have them write letters in your behalf and this will help you a great deal....thank you Jill for your support, thank you Kathy for your support and shoulder...i am here if anyone need to ask me any questions.....

Dear Katrina,

I also want to Congratulate you for winning your benefits! Like I told Momw/ic, I have been thru it all too and finally won mine a few years ago, so I know how overyjoyed you both are right now! The day I found out I won, someone could have told me they ran over my dog, and I STILL would have been smiling all day! LOL! (In my case they backdated my case 4 years, so even after the atty's fees were taken out, they STILL ended up sending me a check for $47,000!!! I couldn't believe it! I am sorry they dont send back pay like that anymore, but the most important thing is that you won your case and finally know that you have money coming in every, single month! So, congrats again on winning!

Sending hugs,
Amaranthe

[katrina0410]

Disability

Hi Amaranthe,

I was reading your post and see that you had won your case!!! Yeahhhh!!! now that i have disabilty approved, how does the process go now as far as money coming in, when do they start doing everything and do i start getting other medical help....i don't know how it goes and my lawyer didn't explain it to me....Thank you!!!

[amaranthe]

It's been about 6 years since I won my case, but if I remember right, I was approved in Feb. and got my first check in April or May. (I am pretty sure it was April.) This was the check with the monthly amount. But, for some reason, the big check with all the back pay on it didnt come until about 6 mo after I won my case. (My atty's fees came out of this check. Social Security took the attys fees out of the check before they sent it to me, so I didnt have to bother paying the atty myself. They do this with everybody.)

You have the option to enroll in Medicare or not to if you insurance elsewhere, like thru your spouses work. But, most ppl go ahead and enroll b/c someday their spouse will retire or quit and then they will need it for sure! But, if you do have other insurance, then it is automatically your primary insurance and Medicare is automatically your secondary. (Primary pays first, then they send the bill to Medicare and they pay their part.) I have been pretty lucky that between the 2 of them, they usually pay everything and I dont usually have to pay anything!

Medicare kicks in 6 mo after the date the declare you to be disabled. So in my case, since they backdated mine 4 yrs, I could immediately get Medicare. If they backdated yours at least 6mo, I think you can get it too. But, if they didnt back date yours at all, then, you will have to wait for 6 months before you can get it.

Medicare isnt free. They take the premiums for it out of your check. Dont quote me on this, but I think it is about $181 per month. I could be wrong, but I think that's about right.

If I am wrong about any of this then hopefully, someone will come along and correct me. To be sure, you can go to social security's website and then look this up. But, I am pretty sure this is right.

Congrats again on winning your case! I hope you guys will go out to celebrate!

Hugs,
Amaranthe

[katrina0410]

Disability

First Amaranthe,

I love your scripture quote, and thank you so much for this information....because i didn't know where to start or whom to ask....as long as i know i am approved (thank god) and know i will be getting a check....it has been so hard on me....depression could put you in such bad positions and i was heading that way.....I am so blessed to have people like the IC web and wonderful people like you...I really appreciate all of this and I am preparing myself.......I'm READY GIRL!!!! (smile)!!!!