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Posted 9/24/2005 6:29 AM (GMT -7)
   As expected---i got letter yesterday denying me SSD benefits....."they" said---I could still do my present job----working on phone--from home---counselling.      Such a "stupid" process----"they"--whoever makes decision...never saw me, met me---or knows my condition...my therapist kinda "expected" it--my pdoc was a bit more surprised.

  Anyway---i got an atty.    A really sharp guy who specializes in SSD---our next step is to get a hearing in front of an ALJ (Admin Law Judge).       Atty will get 25% of any retoactive pay.

  I felt kinda embarrassesd---i called the adjudicator--just to ask a question---then, i broke down & cried......she was so nice-said, "Robert, I really did not have much of a say---we have pdocs & psychologists here.....but, get an atty & appeal it to a judge---they are a lot more flexible in decisions."       Gosh, she really felt bad ( a gov't employee)--but again---such a stupid system---people making decisions on work we can do---who have NEVER seen us..or even talked to us.

  Now---I need your support here on HW.  Please, anyone who has been thru the appeals process & gotten a SSD hearing in front of a judge---what is it like??    any feedback (esp. positive)---would be most appreciated---Blessings--Robert

Posted 9/24/2005 8:01 AM (GMT -7)
Hi Robert,

I have not been thru this, altho I am waiting to get a response from Disability. they have received my application on May 14th and I have yet to hear back from them. I am very sorry to hear that you were denied but like someone said almost everyone gets denied the first time. I'm glad you chose to get an Atty very smart thing to do it's too bad they have to take suck a big cut out of your retroactive pay. Those darn SSD people if only they knew what and how we feel/felt maybe they wouldn't be so quick to denies us huh?? Good Luck Robert and I hope you get the answers your looking for.

Annie

Posted 9/24/2005 9:30 AM (GMT -7)
  Thank you so much, Annie.    Yes, so many of us get denied the first time.    They WANT us to "give up".    But, as my atty said--"We will win"!!!    Again---these people who make the decision---NEVER ...saw me....or even spoke to me or my therapists on the phone!!!   Crazy, huh???    But, i understand that the hearing is much fairer------thanks again, Annie (that's a long time to wait---what state are you in??  I applied in late June---& heard this week)- Blessings ---Robert 

Posted 9/24/2005 9:54 AM (GMT -7)
Robert, I was denied twice and sort of gave up...but I may look into this again.

I'm sorry you are going through this and I wish you well!!

Hugs, Teri :)
Posted 9/24/2005 11:59 AM (GMT -7)
Hi Robert,
I live in Canada, guess they are slow here, but I am ready to fight them if they turn me down and I will get an Atty, because my income is not very much we have a thing here called Legal Aid and these are Lawyers that fight for you and have never lost a case and you pay them nothing as they are paid by the Government,
i called disability in July and they were very rude and said "We haven't made a decission yet, call back in 5 months" and they hung up, how nice is that? oh well anyways again Robert Good Luck to you and keep us posted on this whole situation.
Annie

Fibromyaligia, dx Oct 2004 but we are sure I have had this for about 4-5 yrs maybe longer.
Chronic fatigue Syndrome dx 1995
Anxiety/Panic attacks dx 1990
M.S. dx June 29th 2005
Anemia dx Jan 2005

Meds: Amitriptyline
Lorazepam
Celexa
Ferrous Glouconate
Ibuprofen 600mg
and soon to start on
Rebif or Avenox
Posted 9/25/2005 2:46 AM (GMT -7)
Robert......I posted a thread looking for you on A/P ....Sweet Annie let me know about this decision.........thanks Annie!!!!..........Most are denied at leadt 2 times and thats here in Canada...........and from all the folks I talk to on crohn's board the same thing and they are in the States .......Glad you got a great Att and going to fight this all the way ,,,,...........you will win with Faith and perseverance and of course our prayer's and good thought's coming your way...........We have a special celebration at Church today so will pray extra hard for you k ....DO NOT give up .........God Bless >>>>>Lyn
Posted 9/25/2005 2:49 AM (GMT -7)
Annie........As posted I was turned down the disability 2wice and granted on tne 3rd time got app 10,000 in back pay .........Keep plugging away and you will get there .........thanks again for giving me the heads up on Wotan(Robert)...........If you have Q's contact #'s are there........God Bless and be well........Lyn
Posted 9/25/2005 7:05 AM (GMT -7)
   Thanks Lyn & to everyone for your support.   My lawyer sounds great on the phone--I look fwd to our meeting-Thurs.     Actually, now, you do not have to do that ridiculous "2nd appeal"----as it is nearly ALWAYS turned down.    Now, they allow you & atty to get right to the hearing w the ALJ-(Adm. Law Judge).     It's at this level where nearly 2/3 of people initially refused--get their disability approved.    As even my adjudicator (who works FOR the gov't )--said----"The ALJ has a lot more leeway to approve your case"     ---  Also,     they get to see you as a human being & not just a name & number.   I will win, because i am disabled.  I have tried to work, but my mind just will not alow it, my attention span is terrible, I'm fatigued & terribly depressed.      This is what disability is there for.

  I urge all of you who feel you are disabled--to apply. Do NOT let the gov't beauracracy get you down----& do NOT get discouraged when you are  denied!!!   That's what they want!    For you to get discouraged.    Look, i was really upset Friday--but now----I look at it as me being one step closer to getting it---it is something I---& many others HAD to go thru---

  So, that's it.  I will keep you updated.    And, if others need support & encouragment, please, post or e-mail me..I will do my best to help you w advice & words.   I'll hang in there & you all out here at HW should too.

  I still would like to hear other "Success stories"...those who got turned down---but with perseverance---won!!    Bless you all-----Prayers & blessings---Robert

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