#769616 - 09/21/08 01:50 AM
Re: Applying for Disability Benefits (My Dad)
[Re: 1219wendy]
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SoHoTribeca
GRAND Pooh-Bah
Registered: 05/20/06
Posts: 1656
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OK, Wendy, here goes the spiel I give my clients - go to Social Security, (not social services where the food stamps are) and ask for the forms to fill in for disability benefits. If the person starts asking questions, AVOID AND REDIRECT....like gosh, I'm in the god awfulest pain and would sure appreciate the forms ma'am, my doctors agree that I should apply and thank you for your kind help with this. Get the forms and leave.
Help your dad complete all the information, every single doctor, every significant illness, all dates, addresses, etc. Call any doc who has treated him for SIGNIFICANT issues and agree to have dad sign a consent for all his records. They can mail them or fax them to you, NOT YOUR DOCTOR! It's law OK? You can have a copy of your own records.
Go to each of the current doctors dad uses for SIGNIFICANT health problems that would honestly really stop him from doing any type of work. Ask the doctor for copy of records and ask him/her how they feel about dad applying for disability. Reason? You need a doctor who thinks your dad should be on disability.
Send in the paperwork with all attachment (KEEP COPIES OF EVERYTHING ALL TOGETHER FOR YOURSELF AND DAD). When and if you are denied three times, which means you have to follow the "appeal" instructions each time, THEN GO TO A DISABILITY LAWYER. If he feels your dad has a good case, he will accept the case without payment. His payment is a percentage of the retroactive amount dad will receive from the first date he applied for disability. THA THA THAT'S ALL FOLKS! Good luck Wendy, I've been through this with dozens of patients either for medical or mental health reasons.
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#769798 - 09/21/08 12:23 PM
Re: Applying for Disability Benefits (My Dad)
[Re: 1219wendy]
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konagirl222
Journeyman
Registered: 12/16/03
Posts: 83
Loc: The 9th island
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Wendy,
I went through the disability process a few years ago. From my experience I can say that the single most important document that helped me win on the first review (in less than 4 months I had my retro check in hand, with monthly payments started as well) was having a letter from my PCP which clearly stated each of my diagnosis, and the treatments and expected outcome. I made a special appointment with my PCP at which time she reviewed my conditions and dictated the letter. I really believe that document was the key to the success of my case.
Good luck. If I can be of any help feel free to PM.
KG
_________________________
Life's most valuable lessons were indeed taught in kindergarten: play well with others, share, and always apologize,the rest will fall into place...
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#769808 - 09/21/08 12:39 PM
Re: Applying for Disability Benefits (My Dad)
[Re: 1219wendy]
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PoPo
Pooh-Bah
Registered: 02/20/04
Posts: 1109
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First off, I wish you good luck. I applied about 10 yrs. ago and got it on the 1st try. I was VERY amazed, after hearing how so many people have to apply over and over.
What I did was, bring ALL of my medical records showing all of my health problems and all of the doctors I saw. I had my interview and was told I should hear from them in about 4 months. Just about a week before reaching 4 months, I got a letter from them saying they had me set up to see a doctor they picked, to do an evaluation. I went to the appointment and within a week, I got another letter saying I was approved and how much I would be getting. I was shocked it went so smooth. I know of many people who have more serious health issues that get turned down. I really don't understand their system, but I'm soooo happy it worked out well. I guess it's just the luck of the draw. Only thing I can say is, go in prepared with EVERYTHING you can get together. I really, really hope it will go good for your dad. I'll say a prayer and cross my fingers and toes.
GOOD LUCK!
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#770081 - 09/21/08 06:54 PM
Re: Applying for Disability Benefits (My Dad)
[Re: 1219wendy]
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kserah
GRAND Pooh-Bah
Registered: 10/05/04
Posts: 5075
Loc: In the moment
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Wendy, go to http://www.ssa.gov/disability/, then do your homework. It doesn't matter what your doctor or the company doctor says. It's all about the numbers. Do some research on the various links and you'll find the condition your husband has and what they are looking for.
With me, I discovered that in order to qualify, my FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Values) had to be under a certain percentile in order for me to qualify. When I was in the hospital and the pulmonologist first met me he told me there was no doubt in his mind I would qualify, but until they (SSI) sees those numbers on the paper with the clinic/doctor's name on it, it doesn't matter. I had to get my PCP to refer me to his office to get the spirometer reading--all within a week. Talk about a cluster-fruck! Once I had that and knew what they wanted, I made sure that I got that information before I even applied. I was approved within 3 weeks and would have been sooner, but the final determining office didn't have my medical records! Of course, I had made a copy of them just for some glitch like that. Made another copy, sent them down and was approved 2 days later.
Do your homework first. It sound terrible, but they really don't care how badly you are hurt. They go by numbers, not opinions, to make their decisions. Everything goes into a computer and a score is determined. It is cold, hard, callous, but true and that is how the government operates.
For instance, say someone loses mobility in their arm and it can no longer move any higher than a 45 degree angle. It must be measured, and then everything is put in an equation. When they plug those numbers in, that's what determines if you get disability. I know it's difficult, but try not to get too emotional about it. It won't help. Just the facts, ma'm, just the facts. And if you don't hear anything after 5 days, don't be afraid to call! Be sure to be polite and get everyone's name and number. Personally, the feds were far nicer to deal with and far more efficient than the state.
Good luck, sweetie. We'll be rooting for you!
_________________________
If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely is not for you.
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#770717 - 09/22/08 03:56 PM
Re: Applying for Disability Benefits (My Dad)
[Re: 1219wendy]
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Strawberry
GOLDEN EAGLE
GRAND Pooh-Bah
Registered: 01/29/06
Posts: 5336
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Hi Wendy, I just want to say good luck to you and your Dad.
I think it will go well for him, but I know you want to hear that from an offical source.
One thing to keep in mind is the older someone is the better there chances. Also yes they will treat a lot of it like a comouter input of numbers,( as mentioned) but there will be at least one human that takes a look at the paperwork and has the final say so.
There is a ton of advice availible, so go with your common sence. Also remember that every thing that is wrong with you dad can be a disability, You have to say this condition makes it impossible to work because ..... So have a reason why each and everything get in the way of holding down a job. I think that being blind in one eye is an automatic disability. But it dosen't hurt to add in everthing including arthritis and how that effects job performance.
Its also a wonder why some people get disability and others don't. You can't always go by how someone looks, and say no there not disabiled, or yes they are. But if your dad looks disabled it will not hurt to include photos. I have been there, and the least of what I thought qualified me, turn out to be an automatic on there list.( the list of disabilitys may or may not be used anymore, i really don't know.) anyway I did my homework and sent in a handwritten explanation that was 25 pages, and it turned out that just one of the pages made the differance. Ok I don't want to turn this into anything but a good luck to you and your dad. Also as kserah said:
"Social Security Disability Insurance pays benefits to you and certain members of your family if you are "insured," meaning that you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes"
So it does not matter what kind of money he has now, even if it's a great deal he still gets paid in this program. ( as the max is around 2000.00 per month. So
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Edited by Strawberry (09/22/08 04:10 PM)
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#771008 - 09/22/08 09:20 PM
Re: Applying for Disability Benefits (My Dad)
[Re: 1219wendy]
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SoHoTribeca
GRAND Pooh-Bah
Registered: 05/20/06
Posts: 1656
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Thanks soho. Getting the doctors to agree that he should not be working is no problem as they have wanted him to stop 2 years ago. If you don't mind soho... what is it that you do. If I have any questions along the process, may I come to you?
Wendy, of course you can ask me or PM me about any obstacles you face, and there will be OBSTACLES. Just giving disability determination the correct information or what they need to hear is enough to finish off most folks. But, I'd say in all these years, if the person or someone for them actually appeals the denials correctly, as stated on the instructions, 85% of the time that person will receive disability. There's lots of twists and turns depending on a person's situation.
And, important Wendy, if he goes to the hospital and has to stay for a few days, demand that the case manager apply for disability. She/he won't do it, but there's a person or people that come in and do it right on the hospital wing.
That ups the odds quite a bit. What do I do? I'm licensed and hesitate to give out much information, never know who you might [censored] off. The world has changed Wendy.
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#772227 - 09/24/08 06:10 PM
Re: Applying for Disability Benefits (My Dad)
[Re: recruiterlo]
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SoHoTribeca
GRAND Pooh-Bah
Registered: 05/20/06
Posts: 1656
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Well, I do know how this system works, and have hands on experience for many years. No one has to take my word for anything, including the weather, but she asked for help and yes, this is how trying to gain disability for a working adult happens. We weren't talking about a disabled child, or a woman who never worked and needs an income. There are people who will get this on the first try, but it is only fair to let Wendy know that most people don't. The whole process does take two to three years, and when you can't sway the determination board with your documents, I told Wendy the benefits of a lawyer who primarily does disability for a living. Nothing said to Wendy was a moot point or what is written in stone. When I put myself on the line, it's because I do know what I'm talking about, and it's part of what I do for people during the initial stages of the appeal processes.
Other than not liking when someone on the board offers helpful and insightful information, what else is your issue? Why not use this argument when somebody is talking about how many mg's or pills to take, or the best way to treat neuropathic pain or a headache and they get truly ridiculous advice. Because if it comes to how should we take this drug or that drug, and what should I use for this kind of pain or how many can I take before I overdose, that's overlooked and acceptable when answered by any joe blow on the board. But you few choose to confuse Wendy with a situation that is pretty cut and dried but actually have no actual knowledge of your own, except what somebody told you a long time ago, or "well, just don't take advice from people on the board, seek a specialist". Why not tell her at least what kind of specialist you're referring to?
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