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Has anyone filed for disability? (In the US)

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Bellis1717
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25 Dec 2020, 10:39 pm

I’m sure this has been asked a million times, but has anyone filed for disability?

Were you approved?

If you were denied did you appeal? Get a lawyer?

I’m trying to see what my options are. I do have multiple dx beyond just ASD. I’m also listed as ASD level 2 (no intellectual impairment)

I’m terrified of being homeless again. I’ve been homeless too many times. I can’t handle it, but I can’t keep a job. Ugh!! ! I don’t know what my options are.
:cry: :cry:



kitesandtrainsandcats
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25 Dec 2020, 11:18 pm

Yes, did file for SSD a little over a decade ago.
Had been homeless twice before getting SSD, the desire to not be that again is understandable, and strong.

Approval and denial seem to depend on the mood of whoever has your paperwork as much as anything else.

I was initially denied then got a lawyer. The fee structure was that if the appeal was approved you got back pay to date of original filing and the lawyer got about 20% of that.

It was interesting at the appeal hearing when the doctor Social Security hired on their side said he didn't understand how I could have been denied because with my constellation of physical and psych things happening it was clear my working days were over.

Have heard and read from several sources that it is common for disability applicants to hurt their cause by "trying to be helpful" in the hearings.

That's what comes to mind right now.


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Bellis1717
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26 Dec 2020, 1:21 pm

Thank you for sharing :)



kitesandtrainsandcats
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26 Dec 2020, 3:17 pm

Welcome!
One more thing to share, documentation is your friend.
Notes, medical records, statements from family, coworkers, employers, that kind of stuff.
All with a theme of "This is how my health gets in the way of doing things and prevents me from living a full life."


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kraftiekortie
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26 Dec 2020, 3:27 pm

Yep. I concur with the above. Hire an attorney “on contingency.”

You won’t have to pay the attorney if the case is ruled in your favor.

It seems like first-time denial is almost inevitable, but many appeals are successful.



Bellis1717
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26 Dec 2020, 3:49 pm

Geez.

I’d have to be unemployed that whole time??? I don’t have anyone to live with or support me. I’d just be homeless I guess. Living in my car.

Such a bleak existence for people with issues.



kitesandtrainsandcats
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26 Dec 2020, 4:21 pm

Bellis1717 wrote:
Such a bleak existence for people with issues.

A sad truth.

Hey, just remembered something: I follow these folks on Tumblr, (I do not do FB and Twitter and such) it might be a good idea to contact them, they know things, know people, and have resources,
https://autisticadvocacy.org/

Quote:
Who We Are

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization run by and for autistic people. ASAN was created to serve as a national grassroots disability rights organization for the autistic community, advocating for systems change and ensuring that the voices of autistic people are heard in policy debates and the halls of power. Our staff work to advance civil rights, support self-advocacy in all its forms, and improve public perceptions of autism. ASAN’s members and supporters include autistic adults and youth, cross-disability advocates, and non-autistic family members, professionals, educators, and friends.

What We Do

Our activities include public policy advocacy, the development of autistic cultural activities, and leadership trainings for autistic self-advocates. We provide information about autism, disability rights, and systems change to the public through a number of different educational, cultural, and advocacy related projects.


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Bellis1717
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26 Dec 2020, 4:53 pm

kitesandtrainsandcats wrote:
Bellis1717 wrote:
Such a bleak existence for people with issues.

A sad truth.

Hey, just remembered something: I follow these folks on Tumblr, (I do not do FB and Twitter and such) it might be a good idea to contact them, they know things, know people, and have resources,
https://autisticadvocacy.org/

Quote:
Who We Are

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization run by and for autistic people. ASAN was created to serve as a national grassroots disability rights organization for the autistic community, advocating for systems change and ensuring that the voices of autistic people are heard in policy debates and the halls of power. Our staff work to advance civil rights, support self-advocacy in all its forms, and improve public perceptions of autism. ASAN’s members and supporters include autistic adults and youth, cross-disability advocates, and non-autistic family members, professionals, educators, and friends.

What We Do

Our activities include public policy advocacy, the development of autistic cultural activities, and leadership trainings for autistic self-advocates. We provide information about autism, disability rights, and systems change to the public through a number of different educational, cultural, and advocacy related projects.


Awhh thanks!!



kraftiekortie
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26 Dec 2020, 5:10 pm

On SSI, the maximum income you can earn is very minimal. I believe you can make about $400 a month before they start reducing your benefits.

On SSDI, the maximum income is higher, though I don’t know the exact amount. But you get more money with SSDI. You would have had to work for a few years to get SSDI.



Bellis1717
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28 Dec 2020, 10:39 am

kraftiekortie wrote:
On SSI, the maximum income you can earn is very minimal. I believe you can make about $400 a month before they start reducing your benefits.

On SSDI, the maximum income is higher, though I don’t know the exact amount. But you get more money with SSDI. You would have had to work for a few years to get SSDI.


What is the difference between these two. I am not familiar. I do have enough work history to qualify for any of it.

Thanks



Bellis1717
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28 Dec 2020, 10:49 am

kraftiekortie wrote:
On SSI, the maximum income you can earn is very minimal. I believe you can make about $400 a month before they start reducing your benefits.

On SSDI, the maximum income is higher, though I don’t know the exact amount. But you get more money with SSDI. You would have had to work for a few years to get SSDI.



I just logged onto my social security account online and it says I am eligible for disability payments (if i qualify of course) and it gives me the dollar amount I could receive. I have the 40 work credits needed.



Misslizard
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28 Dec 2020, 12:35 pm

Get a lawyer that specializes in disability.Almost everyone gets denied unless they are blind or in a wheelchair.


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kitesandtrainsandcats
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28 Dec 2020, 12:54 pm

Bellis1717 wrote:
I just logged onto my social security account online and it says I am eligible for disability payments (if i qualify of course) and it gives me the dollar amount I could receive. I have the 40 work credits needed.

That is an important factor! :D


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Bellis1717
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28 Dec 2020, 1:44 pm

Misslizard wrote:
Get a lawyer that specializes in disability. Almost everyone gets denied unless they are blind or in a wheelchair.


Do you mean gets denied the first time? I talk to ppl online all the time that have no physical issues, only mental, and are on disability, all age ranges too???

I'm aware its almost impossible to get approved the first time for mental illness.



kraftiekortie
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28 Dec 2020, 2:34 pm

Most of the time, people are denied the first time around.

With your 40 credits, you're eligible for full SSDI. With SSI, people get less than $800 a month. With SSDI, it's usually over $1,000 a month. Good luck in your pursuit. And if you feel like you want to work again, they have something called "ticket to work," where you can collect benefits while making the attempt to work again.



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