SSI Forms

[Bamfan1442]

Just received my Disability forms in the mail. GAK!! Having a panic attack just browsing through them. TMI and how the H#ll am I supposed to remember all the jobs I've had over the past 15 years and many hours I kneeled, crouched, crawled, climbed or stooped at them?? Geez :-0

[rjoneslaw]

@bamfan1442 as an attorney I would tell you to take your time filing out the forms. Don't write on the forms use separate paper and just think bout each question and as you remember something you can go to that spot and write what you remembered. The more detailed the better. I know the memory is the 1st to go along with patience.

Also be fair warned that their job is to try and trip you up so you can be denied. I would say about 80 percent will be denied this is done as well because 50 percent of that group won't appeal. If it comes down to an appeal get an attorney you have someone who knows how the game is played Good luck!

[Beenonbothsides in reply to rjoneslaw]

Bamfan1442 You are absolutely right @rjoneslaw. 6 years ago, I filed on my own. They sent questionnaires after questionnaires to me, for a family member to fill out. Psyche tests and more of the same questionnaires asking same questions, just in different wording. They want to break you so your slip up or quit, so they can deny. Take your time, take copies. Refer back to previous questionnaires. It took me one year and got approved. You can do it.

[WAshingtongirl]

That sounds like quite a challenge, Bamfan1442 . I know there are others here who have already gone where you are now. They will be able to give you tips from their own experience. rjoneslaw has given you some expert advice! Good luck and I will be praying for calm and confidence as you work through the paperwork. 💕

[Bamfan1442 in reply to WAshingtongirl]

Thank you for responding rjoneslaw and Tutu! Great advice and I'm sure going to make a feeble attempt at answering all the bewildering questions without getting befuddled. Glad I have a big notebook-just hope I can read all my chicken-scratched writing since I tend to write shaky sometimes! There are two forms (more like books) that I have to fill out. One is a work history report and the other is an adult function report. They both seem too complicated but I'm only going to do one page at a time if I can get through that. I don't wanna do this!! Uugghh

[Beenonbothsides in reply to Bamfan1442]

It's really just being truthful, giving them as much information as you can. Detailed as saying you wake up and sit at edge of bed determining what part of your body works. Go to the bathroom, shower, brush teeth which takes an hour in itself and you have to rest because of the intense fatigue. Etc... Give them every detail, how much time each task takes, when and how long you need to rest. Keep copies. Seriously, they don't want to read a novel, which is precisely what they sent you.

[Allen5280]

Wish I could be of some assistance for I am on disability. However at the time mine was done I had assistance due to my c9gnative issues were well incapacitating and I had help throughout the process. That and I had only had two jobs through the the prior 15 years. I was even told by the disability medical doctor whom saw me that if I didn't get it the first time to appeal with an attorney for she had seen amputees that had been denied. It is a difficult process and my prayers will be with you.

[Beenonbothsides in reply to Allen5280]

He is right @bamfan1422. They have denied people with missing limbs and almost blind. Copies come in handy cuz you can refer back and just use different verbage. They want to see if you will slip up in the slightest. Take your time and if you have questions, we're here to help.

[Morllyn]

Like someone else said, you may/probably will be denied the 1st 1 or 2 times. The third time (unless it has changed) you will go before a judge. The lawyers that you see advertising on TV are usually just as good at this as an expensive lawyer, unless you know one that you do not have to pay unless you win. They are only allowed to take either 1 third or 1 quarter of any back pay you get from Social Security as payment (check with Social Security though because it has been a while since I got mine).

I know it is scary going through this but just be truthful and tell them every problem that your condition has caused.

I hope everything goes good.

[SueAB]

@Bamfan1442 , this is not something to undertake in one day or even one week. I was approved the very first time I applied for Social Security because of my detailed documentation. Take your time and get organized. Recruit anyone who knows you and can help fill in any blank spots you may have. Good Luck! DEGU - Don't Ever Give Up!

[Bamfan1442]

Thanks to everyone out there for your replies! So far I've managed to get through the "general information" sections :-[ Oh, well enough for today I'm done racking my brain about how to describe how my illness/conditions limit my ability to pay attention, follow directions, work, sleep, dress, cook, clean, get out and around, shop, handle money, and so on and so forth..... I'm exhausted now I need a nap!! :-?

[SueAB]

Don't push it! Tomorrow will be another day to start fresh! Take your time and don't become frustrated over this. Keep in mind the good results you will get!

[Fancy1959]

Bamfan1442, it's Fancy1959. I wish I could tell you it gets better but that would be telling you a lie. Unfortunately you need to prepare to be tied up in this mess about the next year to year-and-a-half. It seems as if she really needs our turn down repeatedly and those who don't need the help get it quickly. It will probably come down to you being turned down at least twice and then you will have to hire a social security attorney and then hopefully you will get it. Persistence pays off. I have been on social security for almost 2 years now and I start Medicare on June 1st finally. Keep us informed and take a deep breath and realize you can't wade through this just do it one small bite at a time. Keep us informed and I would love to do what I can to help but patience is the key here.

[Raingrrl]

Hi Bamfan1442 ! I filled out my SSDI forms a few weeks ago and am waiting to see what happens. I procrastinated until days before the due date because I was intimidated by it all and by the stories I had heard. I was told they have 4 months to respond so I try not to think about it.

One good piece of advice I was given was to answer the questions from the standpoint of my worst day not my best day. They don't give you enough space to properly answer a lot of the questions so I either continued in the margins of the page or wrote stuff out on a separate piece of paper and put 'continued on separate page' on the form. Once I was done with the forms, they were really messy because of all the writing I did in the margins.

Good luck!

[jackgaume]

Having worked for the Social Security Admin. In another lifetime. Take your time. One question at a time the attorney above gave excellent advice. On the disibility form fill in the headings write continued and put the number of the question and your name and SSN on a separate piece of paper. Then work back and forth between the questions as you remember things. If this is your initial filming then take a week or two. Work a little each day. Eat the elephant one bite at a time. SSA is interested in denying your first attempt. When you get your denial letter file a reconsideration request. On that one the clock is ticking you have only 60 days to file for reconsideration. If that is denied file an appeal with the help of an attorney. It took my brother two years to get approved. Do not let appeals periods lapse as you will have to start all over from the beginning. It is worth the effort and if approved on appeal they pay you based on the date of your initial fileing. Good luck and go get em.

[Fancy1959 in reply to jackgaume]

Jackgaume, it's Fancy1959. Thanks for helping with the explicit details of filing for SS. It can be nothing but helpfull to everyone who is currently filing for SS or considering filing for SS. This proves the point often make that we can learn much from each other. I'm so glad you have decided to join in this post. I hope you continue to be active. Thanks for sharing. Fancy

[jackgaume]

Fancy 1959 thank you. Keep pushing your cases with SS. I do read the posts. This one hit close to home.

[Bamfan1442]

I would LOVE to take my time filling out these dreadful forms but I only have until May 17 to get them in--one week from today. I call BS on that because the date on the cover letters is May 2 and the postmark on the huge envelope they sent them to me is May 4th and I just received them yesterday!! GRRRRR

[Bamfan1442 in reply to Bamfan1442]

Oh, I forgot to mention, the cover letter says I have 15 calendar days after the date on the letter (May 2) to return them, which is May 17.

[RobertCalifornia]

I was approved the first time I applied. The approval was granted four weeks after applying. I filled the paper work thoroughly and had plenty of documentation. I had an appointment with the Social Security Administration. Lucky it was a hot day and I was quite fatigued. I had diagnosis of MS from two neurologists.