Just to let everyone know, it took me two and a half years to get my disability and they never even looked at the fact that I had severe Fribo. I had to get a lawyer, denied 3 times, which is their regular tactic and then go before a Judge and be totally humiliated and a week later, based on 2 herniated disks, they gave me disability. There was not one word of Fribo mentioned. Yet I received back pay but never could figure what the lawyers were doing for me, since my old medical records, of the disk problem, was what they based it on. And I paid them $5,000.00 for filing papers! People beware. It will take 2-3 years if you are under 50. 1-2 years if you are 50+ and at least 1 year if you are 60. They do not want to pay for this condition because so many are still blind to this illness/disease. You may have better luck with a secondary condition, as I did. And don't give up. They hope you will, based on the time frame. I even had to file bankruptcy the month after because it took so long. Also, they can not touch your award money if you do file for bankruptcy.

Wow, the system is really terrible! I am sorry you had to deal with that.

Thanks for the warning. I am in my 40s and have mental illnesses that keep me from functioning normally - I am thinking it's time to apply to SSI, but now I am worried.

Thanks for sharing your story,Debra!

I have a previous work history, but after being laid off due to budget cuts in 2005, floudering around unhappily in Corporate America and doing some part-time work that was even more stressful for me, I decided to seek disability payments.

It IS a daunting task, but anything worth doing takes a lot of dedication and energy. I didn't let the long, dragged out process get me down and just knew the journey would end in my favor. Good for you for sticking it out and thanks for the tips!


I've also become aware of programs that can help someone with disabilities continue to keep their services and benefits and still have a small business. Check out an agency I'm a part of, The Power of the Dream. We are based in N.C., but can connect peopel with disabilities with resources--such as Vocational Rehabilitation business plan help, to get people with disabilities working in a business designed around their abilities and interests and build their professional supports around it.

www.thepowerofthedream.org

I am going to be applying for disability this month. I am not sure how this process works - any advice would be appreciated!

I know they turn you down a few times just for fun.

Hi folks, I realize the original post was a few years ago but I thought I'd make mention of a point raised earlier. There's a difference between SSI and SSDI. SSDI: Apply for benefits if you: [list] [*]are age 18 or older; [*]have worked and paid Social Security taxes long enough to qualify; and [*]have a medical condition that has prevented you from working or is expected to prevent you from working for at least 12 months or end in death. [/list] SSI on the other hand: [list] [*]The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. [*]SSI benefits also are payable to people 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial limits. [/list] More info here: [url=http://www.ssa.gov/]SSA home page[/url] I operate a disability help "resource site." I'm disabled due to end stage renal disease (kidney failure). I created this site to help other disabled folks search for available benefits due to their disability, low income status, and/or impairment. There is no cost involved to search my site's information so please check it out, you may find something that will help. Join the forum if you would like to ask a question or contact me here. A note also about the disability process. The decision to grant your disability request will differ from region to region across the USA and sometimes from judge to judge. The qualifications for disability is often ruled upon differently. My wife applied for disability due to fibro, chronic pain and arthritis. She was granted SSDI w/o having to go through the appeal process. The one thing which always helps your case is to have a paper trail from your doctor. Have test results, procedures, labs, findings, etc. They will be very interested in those when determining your application. Make sure you visit your doctor regularly. If you are having trouble paying for visits, find a free clinic or apply for financial assistance through the hospital/clinic you visit. My site: [url=http://www.disabilityhelpsite.com]Disability Help Site[/url] Sorry about the html in this post. I can't figure out how to get it to work right.

Dave, thank you for your really great help. I had a long phone interview with the SS people and we determined that while I don't qualify for SSDi based on my (lack of) income/work history, they are going to send me ahead with SSI.

So the next step is that they are going to track down my info, then send me some booklets to fill out, and then set me up with one of their counselors to meet. They have 120 days to do this. I will keep everyone updated!

Dave, going to check out your site. And know that you can't post links here until you have at least 50 posts.

Hi Jill, sorry to hear that you don't have enough work history to qualify. Hope SSI will help. It most likely won't be much $$$ though. I know living on a very tight fixed budget has changed our way of life. We were never use to living well to begin with but after going on SSDI, frugality became an everyday necessity. Living frugal can be a good thing though, it prepares your mindset for tough(er) times down the road. Thanks for the heads-up on the html thing. Hope you find my site useful.

Thanks, dave. I will find out about my first attempt at an application in may. I can really just hope it all goes through properly. I am used to living on nothing. So anything i get will be a goodness.

I got my packet o' questionnaires two weeks ago. It took about eight hours, maybe more, to fill all that out. I am pretty pleased with the information i was able to relate, however, and i worked on it with my case manager

She feels i have presented a good case and a lot of information, and that i have a good chance.

I am still waiting to get my appointment to see the government shrink, though. They are behind in getting this out to me.

Thanks for the update, Jill. I would like for you to document your experience all the way through because I'm betting there are many, many people who are going through the same thing. Your struggle has been very real and very frustrating for all of us to read about. Thank you for sharing with us.