Applying for Disability - advice? attorney?

[pjrose]

DD, 19, is going to apply for disability, based on a cardio-vascular issue that has resulted in 49 syncopes (faints) in four years, and many many episodes of dizziness. She has only held one job, but fainted after a short time and the cardiologist wouldn't give her the ok to go back. She's also fainted many times at school, and she can't drive because of this.

What's the process? She has made a phone call and appointment - we are pleased that she is taking the initiative, would it be better if she got an attorney? Any advice?

 

[DeniseM]

I asked about this recently and got some good info. in this thread - http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=154503

 

[funtime]

If you secure the services of an attorney make sure you get one that is board certified or othewise recognized by your state as an expert in disability laws. First timers are often turned down. Funtime

 

[Passepartout]

PJ, click on Denise's link and read #46. It should give you some guidance.

Sounds like a slam-dunk for approval, but it helps to have support on your side.

Jim

 

[DeniseM]

All we have done so far is see my son's Psychiatrist. She was very non-informative. We asked her if she would support a disability application and her answer was that the Dr. had nothing to do with it - that SSN would request his files, and that everything would depend on the files. When we asked her if she though he qualified - she reiterated the same answer.

 

[Talent312]

All we have done so far is see my son's Psychiatrist. She was very non-informative. We asked her if she would support a disability application and her answer was that the Dr. had nothing to do with it - that SSN would request his files, and that everything would depend on the files. When we asked her if she though he qualified - she reiterated the same answer.

This "not my call" line means the psychiatirst is prevaricating and not in his corner.
He needs one who is more forthcoming, willing to take a stand and needed, to testify.

His initial application will be denied, so prepare for an appeal from the get-go.
Consult a disability attorney and ask him or her to recommend a psychiatrist...
One who is familiar with the criteria that's used and willing to render an expert opinion.

 

[am1]

I think the "not my call" is the professional way to go about it. If they tell the person its not likely they may be harassed.

To me their job is to evaluate and give the files to SS. From there SS takes over.

 

[pjrose]

PJ, click on Denise's link and read #46. It should give you some guidance.

Sounds like a slam-dunk for approval, but it helps to have support on your side.

Jim

I read it a few times - still very confused.

PJ

 

[e.bram]

My wife is a shrink. She treats people, not help them get on welfare.

 

[Talent312]

I think the "not my call" is the professional way to go about it.

Its the professional way of saying, "I don't have a clue."
Objectively, it may be true, but its not what the patient needs to know.
He needs to know if he's got a shot or barking up the wrong tree.
For that, he should consult someone better equipped to give an analysis.

 

[stugy]

Social security disability is not welfare. Most psychiatrists resent being called " a shrink."
Pat

 

[bogey21]

Social security disability is not welfare.

I'm not sure this is 100% true. I'm not saying Social Security Disability isn't a necessary part of our society. I just believe that in some cases if not welfare, it is close.

George

 

[Passepartout]

I'd suggest anyone who doubts that SSDI recipients are simply the neediest of the needy should attend a hearing where the determination of award is made. These are not people who WON'T work. There simply is no position in the economy that they are capable of performing. If there were, they would not be awarded benefits.

SSDI is insurance. Not welfare. It is the final safety net that all Americans have when all else, and every other resource has either failed or has tapped out.

Before judging, walk a mile in their shoes.

Jim

 

[SueDonJ]

I'm not sure this is 100% true. I'm not saying Social Security Disability isn't a necessary part of our society. I just believe that in some cases if not welfare, it is close.

George

I'm fairly certain that welfare, in all its forms, IS a necessary part of our society. I never did understand why it has a negative connotation.

 

[SueDonJ]

PJ, you'll need to be strong and insistent as you go through this process. The only suggestions I can give you are - make sure you take copies of every single piece of paper that you get your hands on, keep a detailed log of every phone call, and keep everything filed in one place in good order. (When my mom had to stand before a judge and fight for SSDI for my dad, she won because she was able to put her hands on a single doctor's report at the minute the judge asked for it.) Good luck, to you and your daughter.

 

[pjrose]

My daughter WANTS to work. She has wanted a job since she was 15, and got a position as a cashier at that time. After a few weeks she blacked out and hit her head. The store was great at keeping her job open, but the cardiologist wouldn't let her go back, and meanwhile she kept having more syncopes.

She also WANTS to go to school full-time and be around people. Instead she is taking some online classes, partly because of the syncopes.

She is bored stiff being stuck at home, hesitant to even walk down the drive to pick up the mail, because last time she did she had a syncope and was lying there with her head in the street. She can't drive because she might have a syncope; she bought a bicycle to be able to get out and maybe get a bit of exercise - she blacked out and fell off in the road. The person who stopped and called 911 said the car in front of him had just driven by, coming close to running over her.

Again, she wants to work. She continues to work on her degree in the hope that she will be able to if/when this condition is brought under control - but so far, four years and tons of doctors and tests, it's not.

PJ

 

[timeos2]

My wife is a shrink. She treats people, not help them get on welfare.

e.bram - bravo! If you are indeed in need of disability SS it is a simple process to qualify - no outside help or expensive (as in a good percentage of YOUR rightful payment redirected to them) lawyers required.

Say what you want about the Government but this group - SS Disability - seems to be on top of things. Yes they can be beaten - probably unfairly and to the detriment of those paying and truly in need - but overall our interaction with them have shown them to be fair and evenhanded. I salute them and the extremely tough and often heartbreaking job they have to do.

As for responsiveness they get a near zero score - they do little or nothing to update you on any status. But give them time and a real situation and they seem to get the right answer with relatively little input need from the claimant.

 

[DeniseM]

My wife is a shrink. She treats people, not help them get on welfare.

That was really offensive - but you already know that don't you?

As I recall - you posted previously that she is an attorney? Is she an astronaut and an Indian Chief too?

 

[bogey21]

SSDI is insurance. Not welfare.

Question - is it a prerequisite that everyone who collects Social Security Disability has paid into Social Security. If it is, I agree it is insurance. If not, it can be welfare. Again, I'm not saying it isn't a necessary part of our society.

George

 

[DeniseM]

The two people in question here are the children of Tuggers who both have serious medical conditions, please take that into consideration.

Also - If this becomes a contentious social issue - I'm going to shut it down.

 

[Passepartout]

Question - is it a prerequisite that everyone who collects Social Security Disability has paid into Social Security. If it is, I agree it is insurance. If not, it can be welfare. Again, I'm not saying it isn't a necessary part of our society.

George

George, SSDI is insurance. Benefits require a certain number of paid quarters. There are exceptions wherein adult children of deceased people can use the quarters of parents and for young people. SSI- Supplemental Security Income- is welfare.

Jim

 

[e.bram]

Denise:
No. Just a doctor(which she practices), an attorney(2 states) and trophy wife.

 

[pjrose]

The two people in question here are the children of Tuggers who both have serious medical conditions, please take that into consideration.

Also - If this becomes a contentious social issue - I'm going to shut it down.

I hope that instead of shutting it down you can just nuke the contentious posts.

 

[pjrose]

The two people in question here are the children of Tuggers who both have serious medical conditions, please take that into consideration.

Also - If this becomes a contentious social issue - I'm going to shut it down.

And I might add, TUGgers who rarely if ever are critical or cause or take sides in contentious discussions.

I need information to help my daughter who, as stated above, has a serious medical condition, and I would be disappointed if contentious and critical commentary caused this quest for advice and information to be shut down.

 

[e.bram]

pj;
Take your daughter to a major medical center in New York(ie New York Pres), Philly, Boston(Harvard) etc for a work up.