social security question

[MakinIT]

Hi all

I posted a question WAAAAY down the page but Brat was the only person to see it so I was trying to find another place to put the question so I decided here. I think it's more of a nuetral story than success...but I need some answers from those of you who have navigated the SS paperwork before.
I've been working on gettting a ss beni since January. SOOO..been sending papers back and forth. They called yesterday morning and told me they needed me to come in for a psychiatric eval and would even pick me up if need be. (cause my driving sucks with my meds) Also needed report from PT (which they faxed the form to her, and need to get MD counter signature)
What happens in a SS pysch eval, why do they need to do this, (especially since there was report given by my psych)
Cindy has responded (thanks) but I'd like to see if anyone else has ever gone through this, and how'd it go....Thanks...

[carla_2004]

Hello, I've been through the eligibility route before with my two youngest adult children who are disabled.

I'll pm you on this it's not clear what eligibility area you are attempting to qualify under, whether the SSA are simply attempting to clarify an issue since they did not get appropriate response(s) back from doctors listed, or whether this may be a sign they are gaining documentation to support their denial.

Regards, Carla

[Sesheta]

I've been receiving permanent social security disability based my ic diagnosis for two years now. I was not contacted for any kind of additional medical review, but I have been seeing a counselor and psychiatrist which quite some time having to do with my IC. It appears social security just accepted their reports. Did you have any treatment before you applied? My claim went through very quickly with very little contact to me. I had a very good paper trail, so I guess that helps.

Additionally, I've just found out that I will be receiving medi-care benefits even though my husband has very good private medical insurance coverage for us. Once you've received 25 months of SS Disability Benefits, you automatically receive Medicare Parts A and Part B. I am truly amazed!!

Keep the faith. It seems the universe may be acknowleding our disease for what it is-- hell.
--Sesheta

[MakinIT]

I never had any treatments via counseling but was (a long time ago) dx with depression and given meds, prior to IC. I had cleared up much of that...got migraines from taking myself off the meds, and was put back on a low dose anti-depressant. Then the IC started and of course, depression kicked in hard. I never upped my anti depressant due to wieght problems with them andthe fact that I have diabetes. This is the first time I've seen a counselor and he is specifically for pain.

Tracey

[traceyuk]

If anyone could let me know about starting disabilty process, I have been in pain,so long,had another instillation DMSo/elmirion yesterday, cramping bad today and have used all sick days. Does my Dr have to write me out, and does that affect my medical insurance? I feel at work they are looking to let me go, so a need do things right,it tough when your in pain. I also see a thepist. Appreciate any ones experience, also how does this affect looking for other work, when I feel better. Thanks Tracey

[tigger_gal]

I have part "A" medicare, my husband has great ins too. However if I wanted part "B" I have to pay.. I declined it promrtly. I received my medicare in Sept 2003.. now they are reviewing me .. wish me luck please.... they do this every 2 years now..
Makinit..
hope you get your answers soon. I can only guess that they want there own doc to do an eval.
Tracy,
In mich you have to be off work 6 months before you can apply.. here is a link:
http://www.ssa.gov/

hugs
Brat

[carla_2004]

Hello to Traceyuk, it's important to know that if you are disabled (as defined by SSA medical criteria), Social Security Administration has two benefit programs to possibly look at:

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
and
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

The following link has more information, including a benefits eligibility screening tool to see if either would fit your circumstances:

http://www.ssa.gov/disability/

The intake process can be initiated by calling 1-800-772-1213, online at https://s3abaca.ssa.gov/pro/isba3/wwwrmain.shtml , or by going to your local office.

Traceyuk, it looks like you are from CA, a good California link for you to look at is on the CA Protection & Advocacy, Inc. website at http://www.pai-ca.org/pubs/400501.htm

Hope this is helpful. Carla

[tigger2]

I was diagnosed with IC a year ago, I have gone through surgery, and I am now on my second roud of DMSO, which this time around it is not working for me. I have been in a lot of pain, and my work is suffering for it. I feel I am at the verge of loosing my job, I had a treatment yersterday and today my work sent me home due to the severe pain. How do you know if you qualify for going on SSI? Do you have to get it approved from your doctor, or do you just go and fill out paperwork yourself and hope to be approved? I dont know how any of this works, I am so lost and confused about this disease, and so tiered of being in pain and struggling to be at work.

[carla_2004]

I pulled the following information off the Social Security website:

"What We Mean By Disability

The definition of disability under Social Security is different than other programs. Social Security pays only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial disability or for short-term disability.

Disability under Social Security is based on your inability to work. We consider you disabled under Social Security rules if you cannot do work that you did before and we decide that you cannot adjust to other work because of your medical condition(s). Your disability must also last or be expected to last for at least one year or to result in death.

This is a strict definition of disability. Social Security program rules assume that working families have access to other resources to provide support during periods of short-term disabilities, including workers' compensation, insurance, savings and investments.

Go to the next page to see how we decide if you are disabled.

-cont.-

[carla_2004]

continued:

"To decide whether you are disabled, we use a step-by-step process involving five questions.

They are:

Are you working?
If you are working in 2002 and your earnings average more than $780 a month, you generally cannot be considered disabled. If you are working in 2003 and your earnings average more than $800 a month, you generally cannot be considered disabled. If you are not working, we go to Step 2.

Is your condition "severe"?
Your condition must interfere with basic work-related activities for your claim to be considered. If it does not, we will find that you are not disabled. If your condition does interfere with basic work-related activities, we go to Step 3."

-cont.-

[carla_2004]

cont-

3. "Is your condition found in the list of disabling conditions?

For each of the major body systems, we maintain a list of medical conditions that are so severe they automatically mean that you are disabled. If your condition is not on the list, we have to decide if it is of equal severity to a medical condition that is on the list. If it is, we will find that you are disabled. If it is not, we then go to Step 4.

4. Can you do the work you did previously?
If your condition is severe but not at the same or equal level of severity as a medical condition on the list, then we must determine if it interferes with your ability to do the work you did previously. If it does not, your claim will be denied. If it does, we proceed to Step 5.

5. Can you do any other type of work?
If you cannot do the work you did in the past, we see if you are able to adjust to other work. We consider your medical conditions and your age, education, past work experience and any transferable skills you may have. If you cannot adjust to other work, your claim will be approved. If you can adjust to other work, your claim will be denied.

Go to the next page to find out about special situations. "

cont-

[carla_2004]

cont-

"Most people who receive disability benefits are workers who qualify on their own records and meet the work and disability requirements we have just described. However, we want to point out some situations you may not know about:

Special rules for people who are blind.
Benefits for widows or widowers who are disabled
Benefits for children who are disabled"

Carla again: Not sure how helpful the above several posts are. I would encourage you to go to the SSA website and read, see if your facts appear to fit the criteria for either SSI or SSDI. Understand the difference between SSI & SSDI. Talk to your doctor and see if he/she agrees that you are medically unable to work per the SSA definition. You want to know where they stand on the issue since the SSA will be sending them paperwork if you apply.

If you feel you do meet the disabled definition, then start obtaining any and all medical records and reports that can help you to prove this. If you want to know more about the process, you can pm me. I have 2 adult disabled children who I advocate for, I would be willing to share what I have learned over the years doing so. Hugs, Carla

[MakinIT]

I wish I could figure out how to use the cool new stuff above...Oh...I think I just did...let's seelet's see maybe it'll work, eh?

I've decided to say SCREW IT and am getting a lawyer to handle this Social security and long term disabilty mess. I'm tired of it. :p They were pretty cool when I talked to the Hubby/wife team...only take pymt if they win and it's like 20% BUT they seem toknow how to get back reimbursement all the way to when I first became disabled (not at the 6 month point) and so that my LTD co won't take all my back reimbursement from social security...(which they said they would do...) I was getting to the point of "brother...why bother except that the LTD company is MAKING me do this...Also they'll make sure no one touches the money that comes for the kids ($250 per month) It will be nice not to have to bother with this and my doc says this guy is very, very good....

Bye for now.....Tracey

[ad8123]

I am going to find out what my Md thinks, How long do you have to have had Ic (I been diagnosed for 10 months) and out of work since feb (we moved but i probebly would have lost my teaching job anyway).

[peealot]

diability obtained through work/ and Social Security

I have had IC for 15 years now. I am now on FMLA which is a law for large companies to allow thier employees with chronic medical conditions to take 12 weeks of unpaid leave or 12 weeks intermittantly. I take mine intermittanly because somedays I can make it and some days I can't. I also had to go from full-time to part-time employment. I am going to file for LTD through my Employer first. Does anyone have LTD through a job that they had. Can you have LTD through your job and recieve SS disability? How would you go about filing for disability through a company you are working for? (do you work untill the diability through your company accepts or denies you?)
Any help on this would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Kristi