Anyone experienced with filing for disability?

ManitouDan

New member
Dec 7, 2006
20,074
32,442
0
I was told by a lawyer 2 years ago he would take my case , but chose to keep working part time . Considering leaving the work force and filing . So is having a lawyer represent you necessary? Is it worth whatever % or fee they charge ? Is it too complicated to file on your own ? Been told it take 6 months to get a reply or 18 months ?? And you must quit working or you have no chance to be granted disability. So I’d be a while without any income . I just know people complain about the system , but it’s an unknown to me .. thanks
 

numberonedad

New member
Sep 16, 2009
6,685
13,854
0
My sister did her own. She was turned down twice and got it on her third try. She should have got it the first time, but from what I have heard is they always turn you down the first time
 

Wildcats1st

New member
Sep 16, 2017
18,949
28,910
0
I was told by a lawyer 2 years ago he would take my case , but chose to keep working part time . Considering leaving the work force and filing . So is having a lawyer represent you necessary? Is it worth whatever % or fee they charge ? Is it too complicated to file on your own ? Been told it take 6 months to get a reply or 18 months ?? And you must quit working or you have no chance to be granted disability. So I’d be a while without any income . I just know people complain about the system , but it’s an unknown to me .. thanks
Has a dr determined you’re disabled?
 
  • Like
Reactions: ManitouDan

manimale

Member
Oct 8, 2002
513
59
28
As stated above, you don't need a lawyer or representative to file. As far as likelihood of receiving benefits, it all depends on what type of condition(s) you have, your age, past education and past work experiences. Gender and race have no bearing on outcome.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GeraldV

thabigbluenation

New member
Jul 19, 2012
5,310
17,357
0
Ugh yea. No lawyers. No judges. One time filing and started receiving it right as my short term disability expired. But my case was/is cancer, that came back from previous cancer. Dr. Wrote me out as disabled. No fights or delays. But it's cancer so I hear they don't get in the way with certain diagnoses.

I have a 3 yr window to try and go back to work if I can. My job has kept me on extended leave and does whatever I need them to do. Blessed.

My understanding is at the end of the window I have to make a permanent decision to stay on or go back. My goal is fighting with everything I got to get back to being and going back to work. A lot can happen in a couple yrs so who knows.

But in my case, I just got it right away like applying for a loan with good credit.

But yeah it's because of cancer. Not something they can really nail down as to whether I'm good enough to work or going to die.

Best of luck beating the system. My best friend is 44 with MS. Diagnosed at 28. Coal minor. Obvious he became to disabled to work underground or anywhere on his feet.

They milked him for 2yrs bleeding him dry. He thinks his family screwed up some things on the applications and they wouldn't let him change his paperwork to give a more accurate description of his situation. He went thru it. I didn't. I can't explain it
 

[email protected]

Well-known member
Jan 28, 2004
6,795
3,656
113
Ugh yea. No lawyers. No judges. One time filing and started receiving it right as my short term disability expired. But my case was/is cancer, that came back from previous cancer. Dr. Wrote me out as disabled. No fights or delays. But it's cancer so I hear they don't get in the way with certain diagnoses.

I have a 3 yr window to try and go back to work if I can. My job has kept me on extended leave and does whatever I need them to do. Blessed.

My understanding is at the end of the window I have to make a permanent decision to stay on or go back. My goal is fighting with everything I got to get back to being and going back to work. A lot can happen in a couple yrs so who knows.

But in my case, I just got it right away like applying for a loan with good credit.

But yeah it's because of cancer. Not something they can really nail down as to whether I'm good enough to work or going to die.

Best of luck beating the system. My best friend is 44 with MS. Diagnosed at 28. Coal minor. Obvious he became to disabled to work underground or anywhere on his feet.

They milked him for 2yrs bleeding him dry. He thinks his family screwed up some things on the applications and they wouldn't let him change his paperwork to give a more accurate description of his situation. He went thru it. I didn't. I can't explain it
The agency has what they call listings of impairments. For a lot of cancers, if you have the diagnosis and certain laboratory findings, etc., you are an automatic pay.

For anything else, the agency determines not only whether you would be able to perform your past work, but if there is any other type of work you could perform. For example, someone may not be able to go back to a coal mining job, but may be able to do some type of lighter work, such as desk work.
 

[email protected]

Well-known member
Jan 28, 2004
6,795
3,656
113
Ugh yea. No lawyers. No judges. One time filing and started receiving it right as my short term disability expired. But my case was/is cancer, that came back from previous cancer. Dr. Wrote me out as disabled. No fights or delays. But it's cancer so I hear they don't get in the way with certain diagnoses.

I have a 3 yr window to try and go back to work if I can. My job has kept me on extended leave and does whatever I need them to do. Blessed.

My understanding is at the end of the window I have to make a permanent decision to stay on or go back. My goal is fighting with everything I got to get back to being and going back to work. A lot can happen in a couple yrs so who knows.

But in my case, I just got it right away like applying for a loan with good credit.

But yeah it's because of cancer. Not something they can really nail down as to whether I'm good enough to work or going to die.

Best of luck beating the system. My best friend is 44 with MS. Diagnosed at 28. Coal minor. Obvious he became to disabled to work underground or anywhere on his feet.

They milked him for 2yrs bleeding him dry. He thinks his family screwed up some things on the applications and they wouldn't let him change his paperwork to give a more accurate description of his situation. He went thru it. I didn't. I can't explain it
There is also a chance you could come up on a continuing disability review, where the agency determines whether you still meet the definition of disability.
 

BigBlueFanGA

New member
Jun 14, 2005
26,435
23,441
0
I was told by a lawyer 2 years ago he would take my case , but chose to keep working part time . Considering leaving the work force and filing . So is having a lawyer represent you necessary? Is it worth whatever % or fee they charge ? Is it too complicated to file on your own ? Been told it take 6 months to get a reply or 18 months ?? And you must quit working or you have no chance to be granted disability. So I’d be a while without any income . I just know people complain about the system , but it’s an unknown to me .. thanks
I'm in the middle of it. I finally got assigned a caseworker at SSA. I have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Nearly died from internal bleeding 17 months ago when my liver failed. I'm stage 4 fibrosis/cirrhosis which means it is no longer reversible. I'm calling my caseworker tomorrow as a matter of fact. My liver specialist won't sign off on me working. Just as well, I could never hold a job now. I wish I could....I'm very limited by this disease and life has gotten very boring. I prefer working.

Age is the biggest issue. At my age I'm not considered retrainable into any other job. My household has had no income for 16 months. They don't care. Kentucky isn't the best state to file in. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.


From Google, and its pretty accurate but there is lots more to it.

"
AI Overview

Yes, you may be eligible for disability benefits if your rheumatoid arthritis (RA) prevents you from working. The Social Security Administration (SSA) considers RA a disabling condition, but you must meet certain criteria to qualify:
  • Severity
    Your RA must be advanced enough to significantly limit your ability to do basic work, such as walking, standing, lifting, and remembering. You may also need to provide evidence of other symptoms, such as fevers, involuntary weight loss, severe fatigue, or cardiac or pulmonary disorders.
  • Duration
    Your disability must have lasted or be expected to last for at least 12 months
 
Last edited:
  • Sad
Reactions: AustinTXCat

BigBlueFanGA

New member
Jun 14, 2005
26,435
23,441
0
Ugh yea. No lawyers. No judges. One time filing and started receiving it right as my short term disability expired. But my case was/is cancer, that came back from previous cancer. Dr. Wrote me out as disabled. No fights or delays. But it's cancer so I hear they don't get in the way with certain diagnoses.

I have a 3 yr window to try and go back to work if I can. My job has kept me on extended leave and does whatever I need them to do. Blessed.

My understanding is at the end of the window I have to make a permanent decision to stay on or go back. My goal is fighting with everything I got to get back to being and going back to work. A lot can happen in a couple yrs so who knows.

But in my case, I just got it right away like applying for a loan with good credit.

But yeah it's because of cancer. Not something they can really nail down as to whether I'm good enough to work or going to die.

Best of luck beating the system. My best friend is 44 with MS. Diagnosed at 28. Coal minor. Obvious he became to disabled to work underground or anywhere on his feet.

They milked him for 2yrs bleeding him dry. He thinks his family screwed up some things on the applications and they wouldn't let him change his paperwork to give a more accurate description of his situation. He went thru it. I didn't. I can't explain it
Terminal diseases (within a year) are just rubber stamped. Sounds like they did the same even though your cancer wasn't terminal in that time period. You are fortunate. Most everyone else has to fight for it.
 

BigBlueFanGA

New member
Jun 14, 2005
26,435
23,441
0
The agency has what they call listings of impairments. For a lot of cancers, if you have the diagnosis and certain laboratory findings, etc., you are an automatic pay.

For anything else, the agency determines not only whether you would be able to perform your past work, but if there is any other type of work you could perform. For example, someone may not be able to go back to a coal mining job, but may be able to do some type of lighter work, such as desk work.
Yes but that changes at 60 and under new processes, if you are close to 60 its the same.
 

BigBlueFanGA

New member
Jun 14, 2005
26,435
23,441
0
What gender and ethnicity?

If white male who is leaning on a nurse practitioner for his leverage it may be tough. Looks more like an aging guy trying to get out of work.

If you happen to be a woman or anything other than white you may have a chance.
Even a fake bad back could get you what you are after.

I start with trying to get FMLA and be a nuisance to employers for a couple of years, and try from there.
No, race and gender change nothing. It is a hyper technical rat maze. Proving a bad back is very difficult these days. If you're under 50 and doing the back thing you'll never win.
 

BigBlueFanGA

New member
Jun 14, 2005
26,435
23,441
0
You don’t need one to file. If you get turned down and have to appeal to an administrative law judge, one would be helpful.
Yes and by law they can only take a very limited amount from your "winnings". It isn't easy to even find a good disability lawyer any more. They make so little over so much time, it just isn't worth it.
 

BigBlueFanGA

New member
Jun 14, 2005
26,435
23,441
0
I was told by a lawyer 2 years ago he would take my case , but chose to keep working part time . Considering leaving the work force and filing . So is having a lawyer represent you necessary? Is it worth whatever % or fee they charge ? Is it too complicated to file on your own ? Been told it take 6 months to get a reply or 18 months ?? And you must quit working or you have no chance to be granted disability. So I’d be a while without any income . I just know people complain about the system , but it’s an unknown to me .. thanks
A good youtube channel is Social Security Disability Benefits Videos SSI SSDI
 

chroix

New member
Jul 22, 2013
10,019
25,203
0
I'm in the middle of it. I finally got assigned a caseworker at SSA. I have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Nearly died from internal bleeding 17 months ago when my liver failed. I'm stage 4 fibrosis/cirrhosis which means it is no longer reversible. I'm calling my caseworker tomorrow as a matter of fact. My liver specialist won't sign off on me working. Just as well, I could never hold a job now. I wish I could....I'm very limited by this disease and life has gotten very boring. I prefer working.

Age is the biggest issue. At my age I'm not considered retrainable into any other job. My household has had no income for 16 months. They don't care. Kentucky isn't the best state to file in. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.


From Google, and its pretty accurate but there is lots more to it.

"
AI Overview

Yes, you may be eligible for disability benefits if your rheumatoid arthritis (RA) prevents you from working. The Social Security Administration (SSA) considers RA a disabling condition, but you must meet certain criteria to qualify:
  • Severity
    Your RA must be advanced enough to significantly limit your ability to do basic work, such as walking, standing, lifting, and remembering. You may also need to provide evidence of other symptoms, such as fevers, involuntary weight loss, severe fatigue, or cardiac or pulmonary disorders.
  • Duration
    Your disability must have lasted or be expected to last for at least 12 months

Terrible. Sorry to hear you’re going through this.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BigBlueFanGA

Blue-ish

New member
Apr 24, 2024
355
1,114
0
I considered disability several years ago due to hearing loss. I contacted several attorneys and the only one willing to take my case was Morgan and Morgan. They were up front in telling me that my case was a long shot for approval, but if I wished to pursue it they would represent me.