I Received My Disability Decision..

Originally Posted by strange_wings

It's a stupid loop hole.

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I know.

They make you jump through so many of them that I felt like a trained dog.

Speaking of loop holes, the best one of all had to be when they sent me to one of "their" psychologists, to "prove" that I wasn't mentally disabled (which is not what I was applying for, anyway

). What a hoot she was! She "interviewed" me for about 30 minutes, and stated that I wasn't "nuts" and perfectly capable of working. Based on her hokey analysis of her thorough exam

they told me I didn't qualify for disability. What a farce!

Originally Posted by KittKatt

I know.

They make you jump through so many of them that I felt like a trained dog.

Speaking of loop holes, the best one of all had to be when they sent me to one of "their" psychologists, to "prove" that I wasn't mentally disabled (which is not what I was applying for, anyway

). What a hoot she was! She "interviewed" me for about 30 minutes, and stated that I wasn't "nuts" and perfectly capable of working. Based on her hokey analysis of her thorough exam

they told me I didn't qualify for disability. What a farce!

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Originally Posted by KittKatt

[FONT="SystemI really don't think that some people truly understand the frustration of the entire SSI process unless they've been there. [/font]

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Originally Posted by mbjerkness

They certainly push people to the limits.

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You got that right.

I think I could have been declared legally "insane" if I would have had to deal with that BS much longer.

Originally Posted by Misty8723

My sister has been denied a couple of times, and the last denial the judge went so far as to call her a liar. Why? Because even though she has multiple doctors for multiple medical issues, they would only take the records from ONE doctor, and that doctor pretty much had no idea of the extent of her problems. Even her own lawyer as much as accused her of lying.

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Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

I work for the judges that decide. I do know we have a medical expert review ALL doctor's records that are in the file - not just one. We have to deal with getting all the paperwork in order and marked. Its electronic now, so its a lot easier, but still time consuming.

I do understand the frustration of those waiting for years before a hearing. Blame it on too little staff! I'm serious - we are swamped with work and doing the best we can to get people hearings. Currently our office is about 18 months till a hearing and we are one of the better staffed offices in the country.

If you really want to know what's holding a lot of legit cases up - its the parents filing for SSI for their kids claiming they are disabled cause of ADHD, etc. - those kids are denied all the time; and its a waste for everyone because we know there are others out there that are legitamately disabled and should be in those slots for hearings!

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Golden Kitty, if I offended you in any way, I apologize.

I realize you guys work your butts off, and it's not the workers I'm frustrated with - it's the system itself. I know there are a lot of peeps out there who abuse the system, which makes it even more difficult for the peeps who really do qualify for the benefits. It's just really frustrating when you have 30 years of documentation to back you up, and your doctors keep verifying that you are disabled, but yet you still keep getting turned down. I guess what's most frustrating & humilating more than anything is the fact that it's demeaning. You feel like a failure as it is b/c you're not working and you have to rely on others, and it's like a slap in the face when you keep on getting rejected. It's not a very nice place to be.

I'm sure your job is not easy by any means: I imagine you probably get cussed out all the time by a lot of peeps when it's not your fault that the system is as messed up as it is. I don't envy you at all, and you have my sincerest regards.

Originally Posted by mrblanche

Here is the basic rule on SS disability benefits:

KEEP APPEALING!!!!!!!!!!!

Why? Because the rules for disability are different at various levels of appeal. My mother was turned down twice and was going to give up. They kept saying she could work in the chicken factory.

On her last appeal, the letter stated clearly that the previous decisions had been correct...at their level. However, at that appeal level, the rules were different, and she was approved.

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Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

Kitt - no offense from you at all. Just trying to help the "outsiders" understand a little of the background and what goes on. I am sympathic to you all. And yes, we get calls of frustration or anger of "I've been waiting for 2 yrs - why can't I have a hearing today?" kind of calls. Some in our office (including a judge) have been threatened by angry people who got turned down.

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I'm glad you weren't offended.

I'm sure you get just as frustrated by all of this, too. I wish there was a better way.

Originally Posted by Catkiki

This gives me hope for DH's claim. He has been turned down twice, and we are waiting for our date before the disability judge. What gets me is that their own phychologist told us that he should be approved, yet they denied him. We have been trying for 2 years now. He is 57, so he needs this.

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Don't take my word for this b/c I'm certainly no expert, but if your husband is at this stage, chances are he'll be approved the next time.

Almost everyone gets denied the first two times, but a lot of them get approved after going before the judge. I guess they figure if you're willing to take it that far you really are disabled and aren't playing some game, and are willing to continue filing appeals till you get approved. I think most peeps give up after getting denied the first couple times out of shear frustration and lack of income, and end up going back to work b/c they HAVE to. And since your hubby is 57, that puts him in a different category, too.

Just make sure you have all the paperwork & documentation from all your hubby's doctors who have been treating him before you go before the judge. The more verification you have, the better off you are.

Good luck!