Anyone know a long term Dissability advisor?

[whitdemo]

Hi- My husband has pd( 10 years now) and we are exploring long term dissability, but find it overwhelming and confusing ...life should he just take ss now ( age 63) or do Diss. ? Does anyone know where to find an advisor that works with these questions for PD folks? Hes on short term diss. now for a blood clot, but that will end in a couple months, and hes feeling like his intense travel that he has to do for work is too much and he's considering stopping work . Thanks for any guidance

[TrigMan59]

I would recommend looking into getting disability as opposed to taking early retirement. I used an amazing labor attorney when we lived in CT. He wasn’t cheap, but I was approved the first time through which was amazing considering that 90% of first applications are denied. Getting SSD will give your husband the maximum amount that he would get at his full retirement age. I hope you can find a good attorney to help you with this.

[whitdemo in reply to TrigMan59]

Thanks so much...great advice. WE live in California...so I will ask around to get a good recomendation for a lawyer

[valueinv in reply to whitdemo]

I'm also based in California and am looking for a good disability lawyer as well. I would be happy to share my findings with you and would appreciate it if you did the same.

[peminc in reply to TrigMan59]

My wife works in Legal Aid as a case coordinator for SSDI. If you are thinking of filing disability commercially vs with the SSA, it ma be different. in any event, for SSDI, her advice; (i) be in treatment,, (ii) be we well documented, (iii) use a neurologist / specialist. The older you are the easier the win because of a phenomenon of "griding out." Essentially it means you have paid into the SSA system and so as you approach retirement age, the burden on the system is diminished.

This is a legal adjudication process. The standards are high and SSA has been a political football for fraud, so the scrutiny will be high. That said, it is a progressive disease without a cure, so SSA knows you are not going to get better.

My point is documentation is your sword and shield. The more the better. See a specialist. Clearly express the reasons you are disabled. Ask your lawyer what PD experience they have and /or neuro experience.

Final tip: If you hire an attorney or their case coordinator (CC) or representative (the person who interfaces with SSA) asks you to collect the data, do not go in that direction. You need the rep / lawyer/ CC to do everything including pulling medical records. Its a sign that they will diligence the case completely and nothing falls through the cracks. You will get your money's worth and they will do the entire job. Of course you will get interviewed and provide data on your daily function reports, but they should assume responsibility for the filings and the data in them.

[healthabc]

anyone know of a good one in NY?

[mauigirl18]

or in Illinois?

[bassofspades]

advantage2k.com/

These people helped me get on SSD. Highly recommended. I dont know what they charge because they were assigned to me by my work disability company. The most useful tip they gave me, I will share with the group, and that is when you fill out the paperwork and it asks you about all the activities you are able to do, fill it out as if it is based on your worst days ever. We all have good and bad days.