I became disabled in October of 2010 and applied for SSDI. I have been treated by my doctor every week since then and have retained an attorney for my SSDI process.
I have been paying in to the Social Security system for 38 years and am 55 years old. I had been at my last job for 20 years until I had to retire in June 2012 due to my disability.
During my hearing the judge asked the Vocational Expert if I would be able to do full time work in my present position and she told the judge that I would not be able to. The judge then asked I would be able to do full time work in any position and the VE answered no, that I would not.
My doctor also provided paperwork that stated that I have a total disability and could not do any work. I also provided a letter from my former boss who I worked directly for the entire 20 years stating that I was a dependable and dedicated employee until I started missing a lot of days during the summer of 2010 due to the start up of my disability.
I just found out that my case is with a Decision Writer and would be turning the case back over to the judge in a couple of weeks.
My question is, with my work history, age, doctors treatment and findings of the Vocational Expert, what would be my chances of being rewarded benefits?
When the Appeals Counsel denies your appeal request, how long do I have to wait to re-apply for disability benefits?
In reply to When the Appeals Counsel by Amanda (not verified)
Amanda and other folks here. Just because a judge said no does not mean you lost. KEEP FIGHTING THE SAME CASE> DO NOT make the mistake of going back and starting over. They are hoping you will do this. If you start over you probably will get to the point where you no longer qualify for ssdi benefits..,
Here's why I say this. I started my case in 2010. Its now April 2017. I was turned down by the video judge in chicago( I have since learned not to EVER accept a video judge regardless of the claims that it takes longer if you wait to see one in person). The Chicago and Arizona judges have the worst records. something like 96 percent get turned down. You need a judge to be in the room with you to see your issues on your face and your body. Anyway, I lost the court so we did not stop and start over even though I wanted to my husband insisted we go to Washington to the federal judge next. He had to do that with the VA and won after that. Anyway so we did. Two years later (now 2013) and guess what? It took that judge 2 years before he had time to see the case. HOWEVER; it was the right decision. The judge did not rule but wrote a letter to social security in which he told them to re-look at the case and this time make the RIGHT decision. Well that was 2015... then finally in Feb of 2017 We finally had my time before a judge in person (I refused another video judge). That was Feb of this year (2017). I went in, the judge was hours late lol... She got the Soc medical REP on the phone and I spent less than 5 min with the judge. She looked at the 1350 pages of medical issues and doctor reports, asked the soc re if I was disabled and he said YES, She asked him if I was disabled back in 2010 and he said YES I DON'T KNOW WHY WE TURNED HER DOWN BACK THEN SHE QUALIFIES... The judge hung up the phone, looked at me and apologized for the last judges actions and approved me on the spot. Now its been in under writing for a month so should soon get that award letter and the amounts.
So.... my point to you all? Do not give up. If I had given up and started over I would not be in this position, They now owe me 86 months of back pay for ssI and ssdi as well as medicaid. The amount? If I have the formula correct it will be right at 1500 a month so you do the math. DO not give up people. They expect you to drop it or start over to speed things up. IF you do you lose out on disability possibly and for sure you lose that back pay. They will happily give it to you the second or third time you try because they got out of years of back obligation because you started over. Just continue and lean on Christ to help you through the lean times, He is everything in a bad situation and wants to hear from you always. So.... just fight on. Understand that if my case is the norm it took 7 years to get them to where they should have been in the first place.
God luck and let me know how it went!
In reply to Amanda and other folks here. by norma (not verified)
Hi Norma,
Thanks for sharing! It's true, it's important to not be discouraged about the process.
Hi Amanda,
After 60 days you should be able to reapply for disability benefits
My disability claim is in the hearing process,since last year, is there a time limit for hearings?
In reply to My disability claim is in the by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi there,
This is pretty odd. Hearings are typically settled in around 5 months after you've seen the ALJ. I would call your local SSA office as soon as possible to get to the bottom of this.
In reply to Hi there, by Deanna
It took my appeals case 2 years to get a court date after they denied my case for the 4th time. Patience, hope, and a positive attitude is a must during the waiting period. My appeals date was 7 weeks ago and I've got my fingers crossed in hopes of a approval.
In reply to Hi there, by Deanna
In November it will be 1 year since my hearing with a judge and I have an attorney. So yea it can go even longer than a year.
In reply to In November it will be 1 year by Sandra (not verified)
Hi Sandra,
Thank you for sharing! It's sad but true that the average wait time for a hearing is 17 months.
In reply to My disability claim is in the by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi I have been waiting for 2.5 years. For the hearing they keep telling me they are overcrowded so maybe in another few months. So I have been waiting just for the hearing for 18 months. To top things off due to my numbness in my leg and foot in January of this year I fell down a flight of 15 stairs, broke my neck in 2 areas, had 3 brain bleeds and broke my arm in 3 areas. I had already gone thru all my savings just to live until I get my disability. My lawyer can never tell me anything. I am so frustrated. Now besides my original disability I have more problems and due to the fact I was in ICU for 10 days and a regular floor for a week, the surgeries and all it encompases I have medical debt to the tune of over $500,000.00. I am beyond hope at this point. I don't know why it takes so long
In reply to Hi I have been waiting for 2 by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi there,
I'm sorry to hear about that! Thanks for sharing your story. It definitely takes a good while in some areas to have a hearing, unfortunately.
In reply to My disability claim is in the by Anonymous (not verified)
Took two years for me to get a hearing and the judge wants another paper from my doctor. Said i should have a answer 30 to 90 days
In reply to Took two years for me to get by Timothy (not verified)
Hi Timothy,
That's great! Your application seems to be moving forward. Hang in there!
In reply to Took two years for me to get by Timothy (not verified)
Hang in there I'm just getting court date been waiting since 2013, I have friend her brother been on drugs for years he apply for ssi was approve first time he apply. So I call SS office and ask why is that if person on drugs and they never work to put in system how come they get approval with no problem, this system sucks
In reply to Took two years for me to get by Timothy (not verified)
To Tim, and others...The updated medical reports seemed to play a critical part. My lawyer didn't appear to be as diligent as I thought he could have (should have) been. I got rid of him and got on the computer. Within a week or two, I had found 2 things that I could do, in an attempt to expedite the process - that worked. The Dire Needs Request and an OTR (On The Record) Request. The Dire Needs Request, allowed me to be able to 'cut in line', so to speak. For me, there was a threat of being homeless. This caused the ALJ to review my OTR Request. She decided that she wanted to see me. I hand delivered ALL of my medical records there, as I received them. My hearing was 6/1; I had just submitted records from 5/17 and 5/24. Had I not had to wait to get the final records, she would have granted the OTR, back in Mar or Apr. If you have a thorough record, submit the OTR. At the worst, they'll just deny it and your appeal will continue to proceed, as before you submitted it.
In reply to To Tim, and others...The by Shirl (not verified)
Hi Shirl,
Thanks for sharing!
In reply to Took two years for me to get by Timothy (not verified)
I it finally applied for SSDI in 2015 and was denied then it took 2 years for me to get a hearing scheduled, finally had it 6/9/2017. SSA said judge has made a decision so I'm waiting now for decision to be written. Could still be a long wait and I'm hoping for the best.
In reply to I it finally applied for SSDI by Cindylou (not verified)
Just like me I apply 2015 my hearing was 6/2/2017 with the judge video been waiting for a decision I called Jersey they told me that the judge made a decision and is been pending a writer since July 26 and just Friday I called they told me a write has been assigned 8/22/2017 let's see how long more I have to wait I hope I'm. Approved hope u are as we'll.
In reply to Just like me I apply 2015 my by Nm (not verified)
Hi there,
That's great! Hang in there!
Ive had three heart attacks and five angioplasty I have coronary artery disease and 5 stents in my heart I've been diagnosed with being bipolar anxiety disorder and depression and all within the last four and a half years I've been denied twice for disability and have a court date in December whats the odds of me getting approved?
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