Will My SSDI be renewed? Scared!

[ribby]

I have been on Social Security disability for the past three years. I was awarded three years of disability and will be reevaluated again soon. My disability was given to me for my mental illness, depression, anxiety and also in small part for my back problems and EDS Symptoms. My therapist and other people tell me that I will be approved again and that everyone is approved again and that I shouldn’t worry about it but I absolutely obsess about it. I watch youtube videos with lawyers talking about SSDI reevaluation‘s. I read articles online, I’m collecting all my medical record‘s, I’m printing out the form that they might send me so I can plan ahead. I am not better so I don’t know why I would think I’m going to lose it but I just really think I am going to lose my disability and I need it so badly. I definitely can’t work, but one of my doctors wrote that I wasn’t taking the Right amount of medicine and that I should be taking a certain amount in one of his letters. It was just a miss understanding not negligence on my part. I worry that little things like that could make me not get my disability anymore. I don’t know if I should talk to the doctor about the mistakes he makes in these letters that put me at risk of losing my disability. I live in disability housing as well, so if I lost my disability I would also lose my housing and I would be on the street. I’m so scared! Does anyone have any experience with this?

[cyberbarn]

As you mention SSDI I am thinking that you are in America? As this is the EDS UK support group it might be that you didn't get a reply because we don't have that benefit in the UK.

I hope you get it sorted out, as it must be really worrying for you, but I don't think anyone in the UK will have actually had this experience, as we have a different system.

[ribby]

Yes, you’re right, I do live in the USA and I have SSDI from the money that I paid when I was working for taxes I guess you can call it taxes. So I don’t know what you have in the UK but I hope you have something for people that need help earlier than when they retire. Thank you for your reply. I didn’t know that this website was for people in the UK but I’m going to keep on with it.

[Ell17]

Hi ribby,

I do hope that your therapist is right. And since it appears that the major disability is mental health related, it would be the psychiatrist's comments that would carry the most weight. So, there shouldn't be an issue. But, I also understand why you are concerned. I am in the US. So, I thought I would share some things to keep in mind should issues arise.

Firstly, having a trusted lawyer, possibly the one you had to get the benefits to begin with, that you can ask questions to, is always a good idea. In many ways the renewal process is similar to getting the original benefits. A doctor's wording in the letters/paperwork is critically important. Make no mistake, the government is looking for any reason it can find to deny benefits, period. This is true from the very start. That is why most people don't receive original benefits unless they have a lawyer. And still it can take several attempts for success.

Any questionable wording on paperwork by doctors that is an untruth or misleading needs to be corrected and/or clarified.

It would also be very wise to have someone (you can trust) go to your appts. with you to take notes and ask questions. I highly suggest recording all appts., especially if you have no one that can go with you. (A hidden recorder is best, as long as one person knows the conversation is being recorded (that would be you) then you are good to go.) The conversations then need to be transcribed on paper, should you need them, pertinent phrases highlighted.

[Sadly, there is a need to question doctor's motives, in my opinion . There seems to be an unwritten rule, at least here in the US, that no doctor wants to fill out disability paperwork. And, they most certainly don't want to provide the wording that can allow the actual benefits process to proceed (particularly if you are female). You are fortunate to have received it. I have heard from a few that it seems to be a bit less of a problem when it is a renewal process. But, the outcome can just as easily hang in the balance depending on a doctor's careless wording, unfortunately. (And remember.... their potentially careless words aren't going to put them out on the streets ) An important point to bear in mind.]

Talk to your lawyer to determine the potential pitfalls. And get the correct wording on the paperwork. Stand your ground (calmly and firmly) if the doctor says you are not following his protocol and you know full well you are, or there are extenuating circumstances. Ticking the doctor off won't help anything. But, oftentimes it takes very little to do just that. (That's why it helps to have conversations recorded.)

It is very difficult, when you are ill, to have the clear presence of mind during doctors visits to begin with. And with something as important as this, even more so.

Now is definitely the time to make sure everything is in order. I truly hope it turns out to be a quick and easy process for you.

Sending best wishes and luck your way.😊🌈☘️