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Jan B.
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 07, 2001 - 10:50 pm: | 
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My husband filed for disability due to congestive heart failure on march 16.2001 they in turn lost his file and when it was found we were told it was sent to Atlanta for rechecking. now they say it will be the end of August before we know anything. Is this normal? I thought we were supposed to hear something in about 90 Days. Can anyone offer some insight here. Thank You |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 5:04 am: |
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Alas, 90 days is not the time it takes in most parts of the country. I cannot speak for every location, but in the areas I know of, it can take about 5 months for an initial decision. But the local office keeps telling them 4 months. You can make this faster by being sure the medical records get to the Disability Determination Service quickly.
Sample cases are sent to regional offices for review. My feeling is that recommended favorable cases tend to be reviewed more, so this is a good sign, but it can add a month or more to the process. |
Ben
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, September 15, 2001 - 6:08 pm: |
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About how long does it take to recieve your money once you get a favorable decision from a judge and the social security office tells you that your case is at the payment center? I live in New York State and have been approved for both SSI and SSD.
Reply by Paul It varies across the country and depending on whether you will actually get SSI; sometimes you there is a perfect and complete overlap and you will not get any SSI.
Around here, about 3-4 weeks to get a call from SSI; about a month and a half to get an SSI check; about 2 months to get a SSD check. Your lump sum SSD check can be delayed for several more months if there is an open SSI file.
Some of this will vary A LOT by region. |
Ann Kennedy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 20, 2001 - 8:01 am: |
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My disability was approved as of Sept. 28th, retroactive to Feb. 1999. I have heard nothing since I received my decision. Will the checks come automatically, or is someone supposed to contact me? How long before I receive my benefits?
Reply by Paul For SSI, someone should contact you to update your income and resources. For Social Security Disability, you should receive a check at about the same time you get an award notice, giving the exact amount of your check. This is usually about 2 months after you get an ALJ's award or a notice from the Administration that you have been approved from a medical standpoint. These dates may vary across the nation.
Also, since it was retroactive to 1999 do I automatically qualify for Medicaid?
Reply by Paul If you get SSI, you get Medicaid for all those same months; plus in many states you can apply for three extra months worth, for 3 extra months before you applied for SSI. If you get Social Security Disability, you will eventually get Medicare, effective 2 years after you should have gotten your first check. If you get Social Security Disability and the amount is low enough, you can separately apply for Medicaid; but they will not tell you this and you must do it on your own.
Thank you.
Reply by Paul Your're welcome. |
Joyce M
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 11, 2001 - 7:37 am: |
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I would like to know how long it really takes to get your money once you receive the call(from Social Security) that verifies your bank account deposit information? If this question is out of context for this forum please forgive me.
Reply by Paul Forgiven. Maybe a month or two, unless you get forgotten. That is rare, though. |
drakeequate
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 05, 2001 - 8:04 pm: |
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I just applied in june 2001 for SSD disability due to a herniated disk injury. I had surgery to remove the disk fragments, but I now have some nerve damage resulting from the hernia crushing the nerves, plus I have two other bulging disks that are threatening to give me problems if I strain myself again in the future. First question, does my case match the criteria for disability benefits? I can't sit or stand for any length of time, and have weight limitations.
Secondly, how long does is REALLY take SS to process and approve my claim? According to their book, it takes from 60-90 days, and they pay retroactively from the point in which you are disabled==but from reading other posts here, it seems people are waiting years to get approved and paid. Thanks for your help!
Reply by Paul:
1. Don't confuse the time it takes to get an initial determination with the time it takes to win. Here are the levels of appeal, odds for the random claimant, and approximate time in my area. The times vary drastically around the country, and the odds vary drastically from claimant to claimant, and from judge to judge:
Claim level Percent successful Time to decision
Initial 33% 4-8 mos.
Reconsideration 12% 4-8 mos.
Hearing 65% 6-12 mos.
Appeals Council 2-10%* 4 mos.-2 years!
District Court 25% 10 mos - 1 yr.
Court of Appeals very low volume
The Appeals Council statistics make things look worse than they really are; if you have a good attorney your chances are a lot better than that.
The odds are very different depending on your particular case; you don't want to know if the average person will win; you want to know if you will.
2. As to your claim, I do not have enough facts to answer. If you can do sedentary work, and are under 50, or are over 50 and have transferrable skills, you might be found not disabled. Or, if there is medical evidence in your file that makes you look less disabled than you are. I would sit down with a lawyer. |
Ben
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, September 14, 2001 - 1:33 am: |
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I have a similar back problem, along with carpal tunnel syndrome and have been fighting for my disability for six years. I won in court about a year and a half ago, but then the appeals board appealed the judges decision, so it took me another year and a half to get back to court and win again. (A total of six years) But I understand that this time varies widely.
Reply by Paul True. It varied more widely for you than for most. |
Ben
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, September 14, 2001 - 1:38 am: |
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One other thing I forgot to add that I've heard plays a big role in the time frame is your age. From what I understand it is easier and faster for someone that is around the age of 50 or above than it is for someone that is younger.(I am 33, hopefully this will be of some assistance to you)
Reply by Paul It is often true that it is harder for someone under 50 to get an award, and in that sense it can take longer, since he or she tends to be denied at more levels. But once allowed, all age groups are treated equally poorly. |
JMoore
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 03, 2001 - 9:25 pm: |
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Claimants have had some luck in speeding up their claims here (NJ) by contacting their local congressman's office and explaining their situation.
I don't think it would hurt your case. |
Syvella Brantley
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, June 10, 2001 - 9:12 am: |
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Hi I am asking this question on the behalf of my mother. My mother has a disease in her neck and spine and is labeled as a disabling disease. She has had two surgeries for this and her neurologist that did her surgery said that she will never be able to work again and he put this in writing on several occasions. My mother applied for disability about 9 years ago and she was denied, she appealed this decision and was denied again. At that time she did not get a lawyer because her husband inherited a business and she felt like she could make it with out the SSI benefits. Years has passed and her husband no longer has the business and they are separated and she has two children under the age of 17 and is struggling to take care of them. My mother then applied for disability again about 5 years ago and she was approved and received checks for about 3 or 4 months. She was sent to see the doctor the states has set up for disability patients and he said that she "looked" like she could work and said that after her surgery she could work, which is totally untrue.Because of this doctors untrue findings her checks stopped. This doctor was not a neurologist and should not have been allowed to evaluate my mothers condition. My mother now has a lawyer and he has been working on this case for almost 3 years now and I think that is a bit too long for my mother to have wait to receive her benefits. Please help us! What should she do?
Thank you in advance,
Syvella
Reply by Paul
I never intend to give advice to people who have an attorney. For one thing I am not supposed to, and for another a good attorney who is representing you will know more of the facts of the case, and its exact posture.
The time a case takes varies around the country. If you are denied and go to Federal Court it can take several years to get through that process, which is a horrible fact, but a true one.
Some people have good cases which they will eventually win. Others cases have difficulties that mean that it is hard to ever win. Sit down with your attorney and get clear in your mind what your chances are and what else, besides a disability claim, you might be doing to help yourself. There are often a lot of other things. |
SUE EGERT
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, February 17, 2001 - 9:49 pm: |
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My husband is 50 yrs old and recently applied for SSD. He had worked for 30 yrs with the same company prior to this. We filled out the application and sent all his medical records for the last 6 yrs with the application. He has SEVERE osteoarthritis in both hips and his lower back. Due to some other medical issues he is not a candidate for hip replacement. His previous job was fairly sedimentary in nature but the pain and difficulties in movement and sitting made even this impossible to do. We filed in October and were told we would have the initial determination in 60 to 90 days. It has been longer than that and we were wondering if that means he will definitely be turned down? Would it be ok to call SSA and find out what the status is? We live in Florida near Orlando and maybe in need of an attorney to handle this case. |
Paul McChesney
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - 6:40 am: |
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The time it takes has little to do with the outcome. Call the Administration to find out what has happened. If you don't have the number, call 1 800 772 1213 to get the number of the local office.
If you cannot get them to answer, call the Disability Determination Service of your state Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. They are actually making the decision, are usually easier to get on the phone, and will usually give you a straighter answer.
I would hire a lawyer if I were you. There is too much riding on it to neglect any step that will improve his chances. |
betty jo
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 02, 2001 - 5:19 pm: |
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please tell me after the judge grants your disability how long does your check start. also what day do they start you back pay the day you applied the first time or the last time you applied? |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 10, 2001 - 8:00 am: |
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In my area, it takes about 2 to 2 1/2 months. It might be more or less in other areas.
They start SSI benefits the later of the day you applied or the day the judge says you became disabled.
They start your Social Security Disability the earlier of one year before the day you applied or 5 months after the day the judge says you become disabled, whichever is later. |
Ray Charles Rozier
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, February 07, 2002 - 6:38 pm: |
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My sister Bessie Mincey has been trying to get her disablity for 9 years, and she has a heart condition where she blacks out and she has had 4
hernia operation. My sister also has a pacemaker and her doctor has said that she is disablity but she still has not gotten her disablity approved.What can she do to help her to get her case look at. |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, February 08, 2002 - 10:15 am: |
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It is very difficult to say. You should sit down with a local attorney who specializes in these cases. I am sad to say that I know of cases that have taken as long as that, but such a happenstance is very rare. |
Bill Boss
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2002 - 11:26 am: |
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I had my Hearing Jan 14,2002.The judge approved my Disibility Benefits the day of the hearing.I've been trying for these since July 6 2000.Does anyone know how long the wait is from approval to getting any money? Thank You, Bill Boss |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 01, 2002 - 12:08 pm: |
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That varies a lot. For hearings in Charlotte, for example, it usually takes the judge about 3 weeks to get the decision out, and the Administration about 2 months after that to start paying. But in Columbia, some of the judges will hold the decisions for 3 or 4, or even sometimes 9 or 10 months, and you have to start writing Congressmen to try to get the decisons out. |
Christy Motes
Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 23, 2002 - 8:07 pm: |
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I applied for ssi for my child who has adhd.He was denied.We went to court he was denied.We reapiled.He was denied.Now what do we do? |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 24, 2002 - 5:57 am: |
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That is impossible to say based on what you tell me. It depends on exactly what impairments he has. I would talk to several attorneys who do a lot of this, and consider what each has to say. Am I getting anywhere by continuing to file and appeal? Sometimes you are wasting your time, and a claim just distracts you from other more useful things that you could do; sometimes repeated failures cause people to give up when they should persist. |
ANGIE
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, June 22, 2002 - 2:13 am: |
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MY MOTHER HAS APPLIED FOR DISABILITY ABOUT 7XS. SHE HAS FMS AND SEVERAL THINGS WRONG W/HER BACK. SHE WENT TO COURT & THE JUDGE FINALLY APPROVED FOR HER TO RECIEVE HELP & ABOUT A WEEK LATER THERE WASN'T EVEN A RECORD OF THE COURT DATE ETC.. SHE IS NOW GOING TO OSHNERS HOSPITAL IN NEW ORLEANS. SHE HAS DEFINITE VISIBLE PROOF OF A DISABILITY NOW. SHE WILL HAVE SURGERY ON THE 1ST OF NEXT MONTH. SHE HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO WORK FOR 2YRS. SHE'S BEEN ON STRONG PAIN MEDS. SHE HAS ASKED SEVERAL PEOPLE IN "HIGHER" PLACES HOW COME SHE KEEPS GETTING TURNED DOWN & ALL THEY SAY IS THAT SHE JUST KEEPS SLIPPING THROUGH THE CRACKS. SHE WANTS TO KNOW HOW TO KEEP FROM SLIPPING THROUGH THE CRACKS! DO YOU KNOW WHAT SHE SHOULD DO? THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
Reply by Paul She should hire a Social Security lawyer, and a good one. |
Sandra Cardwell
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 25, 2002 - 12:01 pm: |
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I am a 36 y.o. I have been at my current job for 10+ years. I have an anxiety disorder, tic disorder, obsessive disorder. It is very difficult to work. Would it be possible to receive SS Disability? I can't afford to be out of work, can I file for SS Disability while still working? Thanks!
Reply by Paul Possibly; it depends on how severe these problems are. There is a section of this forum that is devoted to trying to file while you are working; see the answers there. As to whether you should file, I would sit down and talk to an attorney that handles a lot of these sorts of claims. |
Bill Ammerman
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 07, 2002 - 2:01 pm: |
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approved for SSD on 9/26/02, how long can I expect to wait for the benefits to begin showing up in my account? |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 06, 2002 - 6:10 am: |
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In SSI cases, the lump sum credit or check often comes about a month and a half after you talk to them and give them all of the documents and information they ask for, at about the same time that the notice telling you how much the check is going to be.
In a Social Security disability claim, the monthly check often comes about the same time as the notice telling you how much the check is going to be. At the initial and reconsideration levels, this is often the first notice that you have been approved. At the hearing level, you will first get a decision by the judge, and will usually get the first check and the notice about 2 months later.
In Social Security claims, the lump sum will come at about the same time if you do not have an SSI case also. If you have both kinds of case, the lump sum Social Security check will be delayed about 3 months while they figure the offset.
It is not unusual for the Administration to simply forget to send a check. If that happens, you should bug them a few times, then contact your congressman or senator, and finally if desperate, hire an attorney to file a mandamus.
Take care and good luck. |
Jan B
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, September 29, 2001 - 10:12 pm: |
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After filing for disibility in March .. my husband followed all the rquest .We waited until July to call Raliegh and was told his file was lost ..then when it was found we were told it was being sent to Atlanta ,but had received a favorable response from state. After waiting til August I called and was told his caseworker in Raleigh no longer had anything to do with his case ,but we should here something in about 5 weeks. Now it is September and on the 7th we received a leter fom Raleig sayiny Atlanta need med records (the same ones as were sent already) and a list of husbands DR's (they have that also.Now it is the end of September ,any idea if there is someone I can call to make sure it isnt lost again. I called the caseworker she again said it was out of her hands . The local office was very rude and stated we would probally know before they did. I know other people have it worse than us ,we have a 25 year old son at home paying bills as best he can,but he cant pay bills that his Dad and I made becuse his income isnt enough. Thank you for being here to help us people "STUCK IN THE RED TAPE."
We have not gotten an attorney yet. JAN.B
After filing for disibility in March .. my husband followed all the rquest .We waited until July to call Raliegh and was told his file was lost ..then when it was found we were told it was being sent to Atlanta ,but had received a favorable response from state. After waiting til August I called and was told his caseworker in Raleigh no longer had anything to do with his case ,but we should here something in about 5 weeks. Now it is September and on the 7th we received a leter fom Raleig sayiny Atlanta need med records (the same ones as were sent already) and a list of husbands DR's (they have that also.Now it is the end of September ,any idea if there is someone I can call to make sure it isnt lost again. I called the caseworker she again said it was out of her hands . The local office was very rude and stated we would probally know before they did. I know other people have it worse than us ,we have a 25 year old son at home paying bills as best he can,but he cant pay bills that his Dad and I made becuse his income isnt enough. Thank you for being here to help us people "STUCK IN THE RED TAPE."
We have not gotten an attorney yet. JAN.B
Reply by Paul
Believe it or not, a referral to Atlanta, that is, from the state Disability Determination Division to the Regional Office for "quality assurance review" is good news. My experience is that quality assurance review tends to happen in cases they are considering paying.
It is not uncommon for records to be misplaced. Get a copy and hang on to it in case it happens again. The Raleigh office has the Atlanta office number, if they will give it to you, or you can probably trust what your Raleigh caseworker says. Send the records to the caseworker, and that might speed up things.
Don't bother talking to the local office, if you ask me. They probably won't help.
You might try calling your senator; Jessie has a lot of seniority, and might make Atlanta get to work.
I would guess that you are very close now, and there is no sense in hiring an attorney at this point, unless you can't get your caseworker and Jessie to help in the next month or so. But if you are turned down you certainly should hire an attorney. It would mean you have a strong case, but there is something wrong with it, with which an attorney can help you, probably. |
linda
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 30, 2003 - 8:39 pm: |
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I left my job Sept. 30 of this year, got a denial and reapplied with an appeal. It's been 6 months today without hearing a word. Isn't it about time to hear from disability. I have damage to my heart from open heart surgery, arthritis, need knee replacement but due to my heart condition a poor canidate for surgery, back pain, soliosis, migraines, sinus problems, lupus from medication, artritis in hands, feet, numbness in hand, coldness and numbness in feet, severe leg cramps, soliosis in neck. I can't do my job as a registered nurse due to my condition. When you appeal, how long does it generally take to hear from disability. Do I have a chance. I can't lift, bend as it causes severe back pain. I don't tolerate heat, and I have 50 per cent of my heart pumping blood like it should. Echocardiogram shows mitral valve leak, l ventricular problems, muscle damage l side of heart, and CHF occ. I have angina and skips in heart beat. |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 18, 2003 - 6:05 am: |
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Processing time varies drastically by region. Call the people whose name appears on notices you have gotten and ask them about your area.
You have a shot at it. The key for highly skilled people like nurses is often the ability to persist at work on a predictable basis. Of course, as always, I suggest that people get an attorney. Take care. |
Ophelia Simon (Osimon1065)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 03, 2003 - 10:05 am: |
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I had a SSD hearing before a judge in Florence every since the last week in February '03. Tomorrow makes 6 weeks since the hearing, how long does it usually take? Is the wait time good or bad? I'm a little afaid cause the judge made a comment about me washing clothes in my basement, I DON'T HAVE A BASEMENT! He was very, old, in his early 80's. How could he have made such an era. Where did he even get such an idea from. I wonder if he mis-interpreted anything else? Is there a way I can check on the status of my case? Can I call the Federal building in Florence where the case was held to inquire from his staff? I'm not getting any better, worse if anything.
osimon in SC |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 18, 2003 - 6:01 am: |
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I had a SSD hearing before a judge in Florence every since the last week in February '03. Tomorrow makes 6 weeks since the hearing, how long does it usually take?
With the Columbia judges, anywhere from 2 months |
