Has anyone had problems with the SS Dept.... - Cure Parkinson's
Has anyone had problems with the SS Dept. with a diagnosis of PD and having to fight for your monies????
I recently received my first SS check, and had no problem.....of coarse I didn't try to collect earlier than age 62. I also didn't claim disability because the "wait" was not worth it....
Yes, I had to fight them. I don't know how they can sleep at night!
Make sure you document EVERYTHING! That means any and all medical records, a complete list of all appointments to anyone that is treating you. This includes, acupuncture and massage therapist, physical therapist, mental health counselors, primary doctor, and any specialist you may see.
If you're still working make a list of work tasks that are either difficult for you to complete, or you're unable to do so any longer. It would be helpful if your current employer provides a letter stating any changes in your abilities (especially if you've worked with them for a period of time}. Also keep a list of household chores that you're now unable to perform, or perform with difficulty.
Sadly, its SS employees job to deny you. YOU MUST BE PERSISTENT!
In ADDITION, keep photocopies of anything you turn in to them. Several faxes and letters that I submitted were never received by them?? Or so the claimed
I was so ticked off at them, I sent lab results and detailed photos of a colonoscopy. They were acting like A..Holes so I provided a picture of mine!
Peace & Good Luck,
Your Parkie Sister that received SSDI after fighting for a year!
Initially, I gathered all of my records to them and signed the release for them to get any other information they might need. They would not accept what I sent and sent out request themselves, though they did not send one to my neurologist...It is crazy.
I also sent the evaluation from my employer as to whey they asked me to resign (all PD related), SS said they had no evidence that I could not do my job! It is CRAZY, but expected.
Your Parkie Sister
P.S. I forgot to add. I was fifty eight when I quit work & started to received SSDI.
When I applied for SS and disability w/ my co. I realized for the first time how little if any, the general public knows about Parkinson. It was also the first time of many I took it upon myself to be their educator of the matter. So I took pamphets, booklets, and gave them my daily activities or lack of thereof. Expecially give them how it affects everyone different and why it does. Impressed upon them how age isn't a factor in severity; however how stress can be a killer. They thanked me over and over for this and said if more people did this with their deseases it would make everything flow so much easier and faster. Good luck and have patience. A prayer before you walk into the building helps.
I spent hours at the computer filling out whatever they wanted. They also claimed to have never received my birth certificate and other important papers (later they returned them to me??).
From my experience and what I have heard from others, just get an attorney. I did and in <6 months received a check, with back pay. Find an attorney that specialized in disability. They do it so often they know exactly how to word things, who to send forms to and let the person know how to fill them out.
Don't worry about paying the attorney, they take the attorney's money out of the check before you get it. 
I think I wa the exception. I applied on-line and was sent to their doctor. I was approved right away. I was 52 and that was 2 years ago. Not sure of it was because I wasa living in a smaller town at the time, or I just got lucky. I've heard some real horror stories..
Hubby had no problems either. I submitted info regarding all the docs he saw regardless if they were obviously pertinent or not. All his docs gave great documentation and he was approved after the first and only application. Once he had his IME it was a matter of a few weeks before approval. We were self employed at the time, and I noted to docs that I was doing it all and he was merely the named DBA. The only downside was the 2 year wait for Medicare.
I had no problem either at age 51. parkinson's is a progressive disease and will get worse so it should be a no-brainer.
Comment and Question: I heard of one person with PD who went one time and applied SIIS or whatever the correct term is and they were awarded disability on the first attempt. I am happy for them. Now the question: If you are receiving SS and your employer ask you to retire because you cannot continue to do your job at the level you did pre PD - what do you do then? Go to SIIS, go to an attorney, I would think from d/c one should just go to the attorney and sounds about right. Should I apply I want to go to the right agency and know there is at least a chance to get disability. ~~Dennis
When husband applied we were told that his medication level and Dr.'s paperwork confirming PD qualified us immediately. Backdated the claim and here we are in a huge urban area collecting quickly. Each office must treat clients differently. Our experience was great.
If I could easliy fill out everything they have wanted from me, I probably wouldn't need the diasability checks anyway. It seems there is no consistancy in SSA, so prior advice to get a lawyer is good.
I applied online and started receiving my benefit check after the 6 month waiting period. I thought I was to receive back pay for those 6 months with no income. I did not. Anyone know why some people get back pay and others do not? I am so grateful for the qualification that I am afraid to make waves and question SS as to why I didn't receive the back pay. I did not hire an attorney.
You could consider the loss of those 6 months what you would have payed an attorney.
I can't remember how far back I was paid.
Apparently you must be out of work for 6 months to get payments. Hubby had to wait 5 months for first check due to date of last day worked on his application. The back pay refers to people who are denied and reapply.
Thanks for the information. I appreciate it.
I rather unexpectedly found my teaching position on the line this fall. My district has a history of treating anyone who takes a medical leave "differently" upon return. After two years of dealing with their harassment, all I could do was quit before they fired me. Honestly do not know why we even have the ADA; I even had a lawyer and all they did was keep me feeding into a retainer. They did nothing but cash my check after periodic "strategic" meetings on how to keep my job. Applying for SSDI has been a dream compared to trying to assert my rights under the ADA. I am so soured by lawyers that they would be the last place I turn.
I resigned in late September, waited the requisite five month period of proof, applied for SSDI on January 13th and just received my award letter on March 15th. I am in my mid-40's, and I have another YO friend who is a mere 32 years; we both received awards without even an interview. It is a bummer to hear how inconsistent and arbitrary the review process seems to be. It clearly is not objective enough. I am thinking it may have to do with how much your symptoms impact you at work and at home. Filling out the disability report opened my eyes. I was very much in denial about how much my job performance had been hit. You have to be brutally honest with yourself when completing the form on how your symptoms impact you daily. Even if the symptom is minor and/or infrequent, include and explain it. Your account must parallel what your health providers write; I actually took a form into my MDS that is made just for this purpose (provided at PAN website). I also think that sending in any good articles covering all symptoms beyond the cardinal ones is a good idea.
Good luck.
Your experience sounds like my daughter's when she suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury. Shocking how inhumane a school can be--should be a more compassionate place; if a competent Human Resources staff were in place, at least the staff would have a chance of being in compliance . Private schools are the worst.
Thanks for your supportive reply. I am sorry to hear your daughter went through something similar.You are right; where is the compassion not to mention opportunity to educate kids and serve as a role model. It is weird but you have Cancer it seems everyone rallies around you. Some sort of brain disorder and you quickly realize they don't understand it and do not intend to.
It was really traumatic for me. The district targeted me and I went from being a good teacher to an outcast. Administration tried many different ways to rid of me, the Union, sold me out, not to mention the useless lawyer. Human Resources was key in all this. They knew the only way was to stress me out to the point of resigning, and it worked. District has a history of doing this to anyone who drives up insurance premiums. No claim to EEOC because I was not fired. The whole ordeal has left me bitter, and I am seriously considering home-schooling my son because I find the whole notion of public k-12 eduction hypocritical and a joke at this point.
My neuro told me that my age (50) and my multiple degrees are why they would deny me. For whatever reason, they are more likely to award it to younger people and then those in their 60's plus. That I am just in an unfortunate age bracket and ma too educated. Never mind that I was asked to resign due to PD symptoms.
Hmmm...I have multiple degrees as well and it took only two months for award. I think it has more to do with how specialized your job is. For example, I could work either as a teacher or a librarian, but my symptoms are such that I can no longer do either. I think the idea is "gainful employment" and your qualifications. There is such a thing as being over qualified; not sure how your neuro can assume you can find any other job equal in pay and fulfillment as your chosen career. Then again it is always easy for doctors to trivialize it as they have no clue how demoralizing it is to leave your career and salary behind simply because people do not understand this disorder and/or do not want us around because of it.
but is working at home from the computer gainful employment? I get the impression that I would have to basically be unable to do ANY thing, not just my specialization.
I don't think I was clear on that, sorry. I made the mistake of thinking we are all more or less the same given we share cardinal symptoms but not thinking of the variations. The SSA looks to see if you are still capable of "Substantial Gainful Activity" and by law they see that as unable to earn more than $1000 a month. I had dropped down to half time in a job share. If you feel that you have the stamina and your symptoms do not impede on you taking on other gainful employment then they may not see you as qualifying. Think of your symptoms and how they would play out if you instead were working in a cubicle office environment or working with the public. If you see no interference then I would say that it is a longshot with SSDI. For example, your singing is impacted so how is your speech? Ask others if they see any changes in your capabilities. I had to rely on family and friends because I was in denial.
Google "ssdi and gainful activity" for more info. You are allowed to earn up to $1000 a month and still collect SSDI.
Yes, doctors do trivialize it, to quote him, "if you can be a greeter at Walmart they will deny SS". My degrees are in Nursing and Health Science and then a partial MPH and Interior Design.
I would not want to be a patient and have me as their nurse. Prior to diagnosis, I had severe tremors in both hands and they still made me start IV's and draw blood. It amazes me that they would put patients at such risk. It was hard for me to see myself as incapable in that arena, but now I know that I was downright dangerous!
I did Health Education in a hospital setting for many years, those jobs no longer exist and the problems I have with speech and memory would make it difficult to teach patients and the general public.
My attorney has has high hopes that she can get SS for me, I know they do not accept cases that they do not have confidence in winning.
I am currently involved in an appeal of a decision to deny benefits. I took daly Ss and am attempting to get back payments to June 2010. I am being assisted by a company specialyzing in such claims for a % of the settlement.
Oh boy! I received my first denial, they had the MD's listed who they had records from, my Neuro was not included. I called my doctor's office and SS had never sent a records requisition to them. On that denial, they said ther was no evidence from the medical records that I had PD!
Did my appeal, it was denied, again, they had not requested my neuro records.
When I was first diagnosed, I went to a disability attorney, she told me to come back after my second denial. I did. She is now working on getting it in front of a judge. Our local Disability Court is booked 12 months in advance. My attorney is trying to expidite it. One lucky break here, her mother had PD, she had tears in her eyes when I described my situation and told me every time she has memory problems she is in fear of getting PD herself...I hope the third time is the charm.
I am trying not to be pulleddown, but I saw my neuro this week. He told me that SS is getting harder and harder. Said they now go by the stance that if you can sit in a wheelchair and be a greeter at Walmart, they will deny you. Funny thing, there are three Walmarts in my area, don't see how they can employ all of the disabled people in Chattanooga!
My neuro seemed pretty convinced that due to my age and that I look "normal" on meds that I would be denied. He even suggested that if I met anyone in person that I skip a dose or under-medicate! Find it funny the Walmart comment...PWP cannot even work as a greeter. It requires sitting or standing in place too long and we stiffen up. I made sure on my SSDI app that I added this bit of info somehow cause I thought that they might automatically think I could do a "desk job"
A desk job was what I thought I could do after diagnosis and meds. Within a few weeks, I was starting to decomp, would look at the computer screen and not know what to do next, even though I had done it a hundred times before. At times, I could not even get my name out when I answered the phone or the name of the department! I included the employee review that pointed all of this out with my appeal and SS still said there was not evidence that I could not do my job! Amazing...
P.S. Good and bad days...when I was at my neuro's office I was having a good day, next day I was shaking, dropping everything, etc.
I too was told not to take my meds but I am scared to death not to, I don't want to go back to where I was before diagnosis and treatment.
Every time I come to this site .. it impresses me that for an extremely individualized disease, we have so much in common. I'm, 52 dx almost 2 years and just now being nudged to leave my teaching job on disability by the Union and Admin. I sleep through my lunch, cannot write for the first few hours and drool all day. I teach music and my vocal cords spasm and it's a crap shoot whether I will sing when I open my mouth. Not to mention my terror driving there.
The tough part of this is it will cut my salary to a third - and my husband is convinced we will be out on the streets and wants to pack up and move in with his aging/failing parents. I'm not convinced leaving work would reduce stress.
Anyway, after reading the posts - I am going to work with the Teachers' Retirement System first and then approach SSI when some of these other challenges have subsided to keep me form totally imploding.
I taught as a school librarian and was not nudged but was rather harassed into resigning. I returned from a medical leave and all of a sudden I went from being a good teacher to being a pariah. It was horrible and the stress of being harassed and set up by district administration made the PD much worse. I started freezing and having panic attacks. It was clear I had no choice but to resign; I have a three year old who needs me. It is really difficult to teach with this because we are always "on stage" it affects us systemically like with your singing. I too thought SSDI would be more stressful but actually I am doing much better at home. You won't realize how stressful it was until your are off.
Plus, you can earn up to $900 a month working while on disability. There are plenty of places online where you can offer tutoring services or you could give private music lessons on your own schedule. I just wish I would have applied for SSDI a year sooner. I was really traumatized by how I was treated. It sounds like you have a much more understanding teaching environment.
Saying "no" to people all of the time must get these people high.
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