toe
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/09/02
Posts: 1422
Loc: MidWest USA
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It's not very much money, but it will pay the rent and car insurance. And with this kind of income, I'll certainly get food assistance, as I have been.
They are going to pay me back from when I first filed, last July. So , even though I need to repay the county for the $115 a month disabilility money I've received, my initial check will be a sight for sore eyes. Hope it's not so much I'm disqualified from the SSI program 
I can't believe this! I was totally prepared to have to wait at least until my case went before an AFL judge or whatever it's called. But after one rejection in November, I got a second letter today.
I was a little wary of opening it because I still had the last one, and it was ridiculous. They were grabbing at straws. But this letter was different, "It's lighter." I remarked, which was true. There was was no brochure about how to appeal your social security claim included. Just a letter underscoring that importance of my meeting with some Ruth E. (what was this now, an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting?) (Seriously, though, that's not her name) a week from now about my SSI case.
This seemed right odd so I called my disability case worker. She salled me back and decoded the letter for me. This wwas the meeting at which they would decide how much momey I needed to live based on my rent, bills, auto insurance, and the like. This meant my case was over.
THAT MEANS I WON! Wait, I don't want to jinx it. thatmeansiwon
I only thought it fair to give an update to all you wonderful, beautiful people who rallied to support me last year when I lost my job and mad everything a major trauma. There was no one else in my life at the time who would have kicked my butt and said "the most important thing is that you go down there and file RIGHT NOW TODAY." You went above and some of you went beyond and god friggin bless you with Mary and Joseph riding in a sidecar (;
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"It's the end of the World as We Know it. . ."
-REM "and I'm seeking asylum in Canada"-toe
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oldnavy170
Board Addict
Reged: 05/12/03
Posts: 357
Loc: New York
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This is interesting to me. I applied for the same SSI for my daughter because she is disabled and they denied her so I got myself a lawyer and they said that I have a great case so they took me on as a client.
I do however have a problem with them taking 15 months to even go to court to fight for this. I am considered low income and I was really wanting to win this the first time around but no I have to fight for my daughter.
They seem to deny everyone the first time around even if you have proof of being disabled. Almost everyone I have talked to about this says that if a lawyer takes your case then your chances of winning the appeal are pretty good.
I am very happy for you that you won. If your disabled then the government should not deny anyone benfits.......EVER!!!!!!
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LumbarSpasm
Silent Chaos
Reged: 05/07/02
Posts: 1538
Loc: USA
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Denial of the initial application for disability is business as usual. It stinks and is unfair.
I think they figure people who are trying to scam the system will be deterred.
But so is every other legitimate citizen in need.
And generally people needing SSDI are not financially able to bear the burden of hiring a lawyer who will take a percentage of back benefit pay.
It really rachets up the stress factor.
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LumbarSpasm
Or just a pain in the butt?!
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Deedie
Board Addict
Reged: 05/29/02
Posts: 347
Loc: USA
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If it was not for my wonderful doctor at the time, I would not have had disability SSDI today. I was denied the first time, and he did everything to get it for me. I did have to go for an interview, and fill out a few forms but I did get it without having to hire an attorney.
Attorney's take these cases because SSDI, SSI gives you a lump sum from the time you became disabled. Mine amounted to $10,000!!! I don't know what the "cut" would have been if an attorney was doing it for me. But because I worked without one, I got the full amount. I was shocked. So, lawyer's take these cases on, and only get paid when you get paid because they know of the lump sum payment that most, if not all, get when they are approved.
I was homeless at the time, but in the hospital so it really did help a bunch. I've never had that amount of money all at once, and it was so comforting to have. I went through it fairly quickly, but do not know what I would have done if not for that doctor who took special care of me, so I would not be out on the streets, sick and unable to care for myself. I'd be a street person, if not for him...or dead. I don't think I could have lived like that.
Toe, I'm so glad you got your SSI it does help to have that safety net. I don't like being in the "system" though, and would prefer if I was able to work at a salary that could support me, but I'm not and am grateful.
I wanted to add, you will not be disqualified because they give you a time frame for you to spend that amount, so you can continue to receive your benefits. So, if you get $5000 in back pay, you can have no more than 1000 or 2000 dollars (I forget the amount, so I'm just using these figures as an example), so you will have to spend that 3000 dollars in a few months. That's how it works. It's crazy. But you have to spend it in order to stay on it. I bought all kinds of things for my new apartment.
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Dee
Edited by Deedie (05/07/04 10:46 AM)
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Greycie
Old Hand
Reged: 07/08/03
Posts: 461
Loc: Pacific NorthWest
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This is sooooo true! I deal with this day in and day out and the first thing I tell people is to not be disappointed if they're turned down for this the first or even second time... it's standard practice with SS. In fact, somewhere, I have the figures on the percentages of people denied the with the first app!
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"I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Voltaire
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Trampy
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/02/02
Posts: 1222
Loc: Southwest U.S.
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Everyone in the country gets $564 a month from the feds in calendar year 2004. Some states add to that. Not all states add to it.
http://www.worksupport.com/topics/ssifaq.asp
http://www.michigan.gov/fia/0,1607,7-124-5453_5526-15508--,00.html
(use copy and paste for the above URL)
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