Social Security Disability

I work for the Social Security Administration in the United States and just want to remind folks that you can apply for disability if your Parkinson's is preventing you from working at all and that not working will last for 12 months or longer -- and trust me, that won't change! It is easy to apply and if you have any questions about the process please do not hesitate to contact me. I will be happy to help you in any way I can. And you don't have to be of retirement age to file for disability either. The sooner you file a claim the quicker your benefits can start -- and the good news is that you can file on line. Go to www.ssa.gov and you will find all kinds of information about retirement and disability.

Good luck! Many people don't know about the disability part of Social Security and I don't want anyone to miss out on a benefit that they are entitled to apply for.

Bellinghamster

[Gail]

Thanks for the information. I will need to retire soon and have put off checking into it because I have heard nightmares about how hard it is to get the Social Security Disability.

Gail,

I have processed many claims for people with Parkinson's and the disability process can be a nightmare, but keep in mind that not all people who apply for disability are actually "disabled" by definition. In order to qualify for Social Security disability one must be unable to do ANY type of employment, not just what they used to do, and the disability needs to last for 12 months or longer from date of application. Let's face it, PD is not like a cold -- it will be around for the rest of your life. Before you apply make sure your doctor(s) know because Social Security will request medical information from them. Many doctors know the exact terminology we are looking for -- trust me! If you paid into the Social Security trust fund through employment tax and find you are no longer able to work then I encourage anyone to apply for disability benefits. You earned them!!

[pogo1960]

Hi,

I have been unable to work since last October due to pd and chronic headaches.
I applied for my disability thru social security in December. My doctor is very supporitive of me not being able to work at this time.
I am now waiting for a decision to be made from Social Security. How long does it take?

Cathy

It normally takes about 4-5 months -- unfortunately but that is the reality. It takes time to gather the medical evidence and as you have probably heard there has been a hiring freeze for the past 3 years. We are hiring people now but it takes time to get them up to speed. Don't give up!! Call your local office a couple times a week and ask for an update. Ask for the telephone number of the DDS that is handling your case and the case workers name and number. Let them know you are involved and will be checking on the status!! If you have any problems let me know and I will try to intervene where and when I can -- okay???

Brigitte

[pogo1960]

Thanks for the info and your offer to help, I may need it!!!

Pogo1960

[lhurtado]

hi,
IAM NOW RECECIEVING MY SOCIAL SECURITY BENIFITS BUT I HAD TO FIGHT (APPPEAL) B/C I WAS 1ST DENIED. MY DRS. TRIED TO HELP ME & FILLED OUT WHAT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO. THERE ANSWER TO ME SSECURITY ACKNOWLEDGE I HAS PD BUT WAIT UNTIL THE PD PROGRESSED. MIND YOU I WAS AN INSTRUCTION AID/SPECIAL ED FOR 11 YRS. THEY WERE SLOW LEARNERS OR LEARNED DIFFERENTLY & SOME WERE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED OR EMOTIONALY. I REENFORCED MY GROUP W/INSTRUCTION OF THE TEACHER. I COULD NOT WRITE ON CHALK BOARD, TREMORED, WORK VERY SLOW & FELL EASILY & YET DENIED! SO TO APPEAL MY OWN MONEY , I GOT AN ATT. WHO SPECIALIZED W/SOCIAL SEC. OF COURSE I THEN WON THE APPEAL. I DID NOT WANT TO GO TO THE HASSEL, STRESS. IT TOOK ABOUT 9 MONTHS BUT IT RECTO BACK TO THE 1ST DAY I APPLIED TO THE DAY I WAS ELIGABLE THE ATT. FEES WERE NOT MUCH.AS THEY CAN ONLY TAKE A CERTAIN % BUT IT WAS WORTH IT! ESPECIALLY MEDICARE.
LINDA:

It is unfortunate that many cases for disability are denied and the individual has to appeal. However, if you were still working at the time you filed then under SSA regulations you would not have been deemed "disabled" -- disabled under SSA guideline means you cannot do ANY kind of work, not just what you are trained in or currently doing. Many people don't understand that factor when applying for benefits. They feel the need to keep working in order to feed the family, etc. and I agree with those feelings, but SSA is what it is. It won't change until all of us let our legislatures know what we go through for benefits -- Congress makes the laws for SSA -- write to your Congress person anytime you have a problem with SSA or any governmental agency. I agree that the system is not user friendly, but keep in mind that the employees of the agency are on your side!! Many of us do care and will do whatever it takes to make it happen.

[pogo1960]

Originally Posted by Bellinghamster

It normally takes about 4-5 months -- unfortunately but that is the reality. It takes time to gather the medical evidence and as you have probably heard there has been a hiring freeze for the past 3 years. We are hiring people now but it takes time to get them up to speed. Don't give up!! Call your local office a couple times a week and ask for an update. Ask for the telephone number of the DDS that is handling your case and the case workers name and number. Let them know you are involved and will be checking on the status!! If you have any problems let me know and I will try to intervene where and when I can -- okay???

Brigitte

Brigitte I wanted to let you know my claim was approved!
It took about 5 months. I did not have to go thru an appeal.
I did have an attorney.

Have a good day!!!!!!!

Cathy

[norma g martinez]

Hi
Thanks For Any On Ssdi I Have Applied And Was Denied
Trhey Said I Could Work At Least 5hrs Aday So Were
Appealing It Know Were Waiting For An Answer , If
They Deny Me Do I Need A Lawyer. I Can No Longer
Work I Can Not Walk My Leg Freezes And Im So Stuck
I Cant Move My Legs Are So Painful And My Dr Says I
Am Unable To Work, The First Time It Took About 6mos
Know It Has Been 3mos Already What Do You Think
My Possibilies Are Is There Hope.