Ssi Hearing

[Katie M]

I don't think I've talked about this here. I've been trying to get SSI since 2015, and I had my hearing last week. I'd like to think I did a good job representing myself, and the judge was friendly and compassionate. He told me it would take three months to render a decision.

It's been eating me up ever since. I can't stop going over what was said, and I'm going bonkers

Has anybody else gone through this? How did you cope with the wait?

 

[margd]

Jeez, talk about high stress! .

I don't have the experience of waiting for SSI, but I've had to wait for other things that were vitally important to my well-being. Things that required an interview after which I worried myself to the bone, convinced I'd displayed a level of stupidity unmatched in all of human history.

This is what worked for me: Netflix, drawing, walks, meditation and journaling. I found it also took my mind off my own worries if I focused on someone else's problems and offered my help. One last thing that helped, (and it was a two edged sword), was to replace my own worries with even bigger ones. In other words, I followed the news.

Good Luck. I really hope this comes through for you. A friendly and compassionate judge sounds like a good sign!

 

[misty8723]

My sister did. She didn't get hers until she got some lawyers working for her, but I don't remember how long it took for her to find out. Good luck!!

 

[Katie M]

I think the judge liked my answers. I don't drink or smoke, I'm planning to go to school, I'm pursuing what medical treatment I can. I'm trying to better myself. I'm basing this off his body language, which I hope I didn't misread.

I did think some of the questions were a bit strange. He asked me what kind of books I like to read. My mother thinks he was wanting to get a sense of my mentality.

 

[foxxycat]

I don't have experience but I have a good friend in nc who hired lawyers and still she's fighting. I have seen some people get it easily and others fight for years. A lawyer is highly recommended. It's sad that we need to have representation even though we know our own health better than anyone else. As long as you have all your paperwork to back you up-and you are showing that you WANT to live a life free from illness but are not able to=I would think you would win. The sad part is how long it takes. three years is a long time to fight for an answer. I don't blame you for feeling how you do. I hope you get some answers soon and things work out. I like Mardg's examples=all would work. Or find a quiet place outside and break some rocks on other rocks-hucking rocks against a tree/boulder is very rewarding. When I was a kid-we used glass bottles people left in the woods behind the country store. I can't tell you how satisfying it is to hear the smash of glass against the huge boulder-now you can just use rocks or sticks instead of glass...HUGS

 

[denice]

I have only known one person who got it and she had to get a lawyer.

 

[Katie M]

I think I was delayed because I was given the wrong MRI results. They completely contradicted X-rays, yet were put in my file anyway

A second MRI gave me my answer, and I told the judge what happened. He said he would compare and contrast the two, but I think that was just for the recording, because it's so obvious the first results aren't mine.

 

[misty8723]

The first time my sister tried for it, they sent her to their own doctor, and took his word when he said she could work - even though she had multiple other specialists disagreeing. The judge even went so far as to tell her she could get an office job and LAY DOWN and work. She had legal aid at the time, and he called her a liar. It was very disheartening. When she decided to try again, she got one of those attorneys who advertise that you don't pay them unless they win. They helped her through all of it, were there with her when she went before the judge, and won it for her. Their fee was a percentage, and very reasonable considering. I always recommend that people trying for it don't do it on their own.

 

[Katie M]

The first time my sister tried for it, they sent her to their own doctor, and took his word when he said she could work - even though she had multiple other specialists disagreeing. The judge even went so far as to tell her she could get an office job and LAY DOWN and work. She had legal aid at the time, and he called her a liar. It was very disheartening. When she decided to try again, she got one of those attorneys who advertise that you don't pay them unless they win. They helped her through all of it, were there with her when she went before the judge, and won it for her. Their fee was a percentage, and very reasonable considering. I always recommend that people trying for it don't do it on their own.

My first attempt at a hearing was in November. I had contacted a legal aid group in Morgantown and been assigned someone, but she was AWFUL about communication. I wound up having to request a postponement. She called me the next day and I broke things off.

After I received a new hearing date, I got in touch with the law school at WVU, because I'd heard the students do free legal aid as practice. I was told they would start looking at new applications in January. When the time came, I sent one in.

What I didn't find out until later was that they pull applications at random. I ended up having to do it by myself

 

[kashmir64]

3 months is quick. I was told that it could take up to 18 months. My problem is that my main ailment is not on the 'blue list'. If it's not on that list, then chances are you aren't going to get it. They keep denying me because according to them a migraine is nothing more than a bad headache. Even though I am getting 2 a week and they last 10-24 hours each time. And now, I have CKD because of the meds and can't take those anymore. And I had a lawyer.
Hang in there. If your issue is on the 'blue list' then you will probably get it.
What upsets me, is that I know a few people who are on SSI and they are faking it. (they admitted as much to me). So, they can get it, but people like us, who really have medical issues...can't.

 

[Katie M]

3 months is quick. I was told that it could take up to 18 months. My problem is that my main ailment is not on the 'blue list'. If it's not on that list, then chances are you aren't going to get it. They keep denying me because according to them a migraine is nothing more than a bad headache. Even though I am getting 2 a week and they last 10-24 hours each time. And now, I have CKD because of the meds and can't take those anymore. And I had a lawyer.
Hang in there. If your issue is on the 'blue list' then you will probably get it.
What upsets me, is that I know a few people who are on SSI and they are faking it. (they admitted as much to me). So, they can get it, but people like us, who really have medical issues...can't.

Unfortunately, only one or two of my issues are on the blue list. The underlying cause of my physical problems is a genetic disorder that most people have never heard of. I've even had to explain it to doctors.

 

[Katie M]

I think I was delayed because I was given the wrong MRI results. They completely contradicted X-rays, yet were put in my file anyway

A second MRI gave me my answer, and I told the judge what happened. He said he would compare and contrast the two, but I think that was just for the recording, because it's so obvious the first results aren't mine.

I received an unfavorable decision, partly because the judge decided the first MRI was relevant after all. Apparently, X-rays mean nothing to him.