Social Security Disability

Well, DH finally got hearing date in front of the administrative Law Judge for his disability claim. It is set for March 10!!!! It is going to be by Video Teleconference. The judge is going to be in Fresno and we will be less than 2 miles from our apartment.

I have no idea what to expect. We decided not to hire an attorney for this for personal reasons. I have the entire file that I printed from the CD ROM they sent us. I have read some of the stuff in the file... LOL

If he gets approved, they will have to pay him from when he first applied. That will be over 3 years worth of payments, enough to buy a new car (actually 2 cars but we only need one) and have a lot left over!! Be praying that it is approved!!!

My brother went through that. He should have gotten $17,000 in back pay, but only got about $7,000, in three payments. They "lost" all records of his original application.

Hot tip: If he's turned down, appeal immediately. The rules at each level are different, so excuses for turning him down at one level often don't apply at the next level.

Originally Posted by mrblanche

My brother went through that. He should have gotten $17,000 in back pay, but only got about $7,000, in three payments. They "lost" all records of his original application.

Hot tip: If he's turned down, appeal immediately. The rules at each level are different, so excuses for turning him down at one level often don't apply at the next level.

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I have his entire file. Social Security sent it as I am handling everything for him. They can't claim to have lost it, since they sent it to us in the first place.

Good luck ^_^

Oh, I hope this works for you. Lots of good vibes coming!

I wish I had known about disability years ago... somehow I wasn't aware of it, and by the time I learned that it existed, I had been unable to work for so long that my previous income no longer counted, and I wasn't even eligible to apply. So now unless I can earn steadily for at least a couple of years, disability will never be available to me... even though I'm legitimately disabled in a couple of ways.

It's a shame that the system has to be so guarded against fraud that people like your husband end up in a struggle to get the consideration they deserve. I hope it goes well!

Sending vibes that this works out for you!

Originally Posted by CarolPetunia

I wish I had known about disability years ago... somehow I wasn't aware of it, and by the time I learned that it existed, I had been unable to work for so long that my previous income no longer counted, and I wasn't even eligible to apply. So now unless I can earn steadily for at least a couple of years, disability will never be available to me... even though I'm legitimately disabled in a couple of ways.

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Who told you all this? My brother hadn't worked for over 10 years (almost 14, in fact) by the time he got put on it. Apply for SSI, not Social Security.

My sister just got her approval after 2 1/2 yrs. We went as far as a court hearing. She got the letter last week.

It is a long journey but if you are needing it and have proof you should be just fine. Believe me, I understand how difficult it is! It can be excruciating! But once it is over it feels great! Like you've been vindicated. I hope not having a lawyer doesn't hurt your chances though.