I need to start applying for Social Security Disability....what's the best way to get started?
446322
My father in law had to go through a lot of paperwork before he got on. Just remember that it is a long process and you have to go to each and every appointment without fail. The first time you will always be denied. Your doctor is the only link you will have to getting on so make sure that your doctor is behind you 100%. It is going to take about 2 years before you start drawing a disability check so hang in there. Don't hire one of those lawyers who say they can help because you will end up paying money to them unnecessarily. It is possible to do it on your own. It is just one BIG headache.
252137
The department of human services would be a good place to start.  Good luck.
371467
I've been on SSI most of my adult life and I can tell you that you will get denied, then you will have to file an appeal. SSI will probably send you to their own psychologist and from there who knows. If you keep getting your appeals denied, the final step will be you hiring a lawyer and there will be a court case where a judge will look over the evidence and make a final decision. I am not going to downplay the severity of your situation in anyway, but to give you a comparison, I have schizophrenia, which is about as crazy as they get and I had to apply, get denied, appeal, get denied, go to work for 9 months and fail, then apply again, put on a short term trial period, then reevaluated through a rigorous series of psychological tests before they finally conceded that I am disabled. Process started in spring of 2000 and I got my award letter in August 2004. You are in for an up hill battle.
619734
I am assuming that you are residing in the US.  Although there are some differences among the various states as to what financial assistance programs are offered based on disability, you should certainly begin the sometimes arduous process of applying for Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, for your child.  Depending on your state, you may be able to do this through your state Health and Human Services office (or whatever name is used, e.g. Department of Social Services, etc.), but more likely you should contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) office that serves the area in which you live. When you contact your State government Human Services, be sure to ask them for information about assistance. He may qualify as well for Medicaid.  Keep in mind that your family income and assets will be used in determining his eligibility for assistance.\n\nThe front part of you phone book most likely has a section devoted to phone numbers for all kinds of social service agencies and programs, including federal (like SSA) and State government.  I would also go to your State's web page (in my state, it is www.state.nh.us, and yours will probably be something very similar) and look for links to social and community services, educational services, etc.\n\nIn summary, your State government is really the place to start, since they can connect you most quickly with local services, including possibly financial assistance if you qualify.  Good Luck.
936159
I may be wrong, but I believe you will have to visit the nearest SSA Office near you and personally make your claim due to eligibility and Identity verification requirements.  \n\nYou can visit www.ssa.gov for general information and access your account once you have met the requirements.
875668
you need to talk to your doctor, if he has documented you disabilities it's you doctors reports that persuades SSI your need for benefits.  By all means file, and put your doctors name as physician, as it was explained to me the Doctor's report is a deciding factor, SSI will send you to a doctor of their choice, for a second opinion,  As it was explained to me you are not expected to take a job of night clerk or anything.  If you are disabled where you cannot do the work you have been trained to do you are disabled.  I wasn't expecting to get disability, but my income had decreased due to working at a lower level, but could not continue and my income reflected the lower level, so got disability within a month.  Health insurance was a problem had to wait to get on medicare,
977590
There are three sources for help for disabled individuals. First, Social Security has a program to provide assistance to disabled individuals who are not retirement age for those who qualify under their standards. Second, the local welfare office or workforce has programs for the disabled. Finally, your state has a Department of Vocational Rehabilitation or Office of Vocational Rehabilitation which can be located via your state government's website. Good luck!
982988
I am pretty much faced with the same situation.  I have been denied SSI and SSD.  I have reapplied for it.  I too have a physical disablity that is preventing me from doing a job.  I really don't have any answers for you.  I have applied from everything from being a walmart greeter to a receptionist.  I can not do any job where any walking or standing or climbing stairs is involved as I do not have the use of one leg and can not stand, or walk without the assistance of bilateral forearm crutches.  I have been turned down for everything but to prove it is because of the disability is impossible unless they specifically say it is.  I can only suggest you volunteer someplace to see if you can actually do the work.  I would also keep bugging soc. sec. to get you the help that you are requesting.  Don't leave until you get to talk to a person.
559298
I would suggest the Social Security web site, to start.
1140883
It depends if you are waiting on an answer from the Disability Determination Services arm of Social Security or from a private company determining disability for short or long term disability for employment. \n\nThey might also be gathering new information to research. If you have any new medical claims, be sure to make copies and send them.
250939
Absolutely! I am on SSDI. I live in Az. Go to (or call) your State Rehabilitation Office in your town, (listed in your phone book under State Government or call your local Soc. Sec. office). I attend college & am in second year now. You will have your own Rehab counselor all the way through your education (unless you prefer someone else). He or she is also your Advocate & will represent you in all dealings w/ school, if you want --also, go w/ you when graduated & represent you when applying for a job. State Rehab will help you arrange your transportation to get you to school & back (I myself receive a bus pass every month as I am mobile). Rehab provided the eye exam & beautiful glasses I needed to start school, a computer-- which is absolutely necessary to do your work. I take most of my classes online or by cable t.v.. Whatever your situation, they go the last mile to assure you every opportunity to pursue an education & they really make things happen! My friend (in a wheel chair) is now graduated & making over $70 grand a year-I graduate this year-Phi Theta Kappa. You will have your Pell Grants & State Grants & anything & everything else is you need is covered by State. They are the greatest people you'll ever meet & pulling for you 100%, even if you haven't any support from any one else. You CAN do this--many disabled have & it has changed their world. Go for it, get started & Good Luck in your future!!!
393531
SSI, Disability, Welfare till you get one of those.  Get some food stamps.  If you been going to the doctor or hospital they'll apply you for medicaid (at least hospital will).  \n\nThere is a foundation for MS, here's one.  Ask at a church or welfare office or social security office to find out more about resources for you.\n\nWelcome to The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation..."Helping Make a... \nProvides highly informative presentations on a wide range of MS topics ... This site is funded by the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation as a free public service ...\n\nhttp://www.msfacts.org/
1156220
well sorry but it will take a while to get an approval for disability ( if you get approved at all)  my friend who has a serious illness was declined twice, had to get an attorney and took three years to finally get approved ( he got all the back pay though)\n\nBut you have to start with social service, go talk to one of the case workers,  they will have perhaps food stamps ( EBT cards)  and at times some emergency money for rent and utilities.
479112
Yes, it's possible. Begin at http://www.ssa.gov/. You will need to apply. I've heard that the majority of people will get turned down the first time (I have no idea why this is). If you are turned down, don't take it personally, but appeal as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the less likely you are to be approved. I've heard that you may have to appeal more than once before your application will be approved. You may also need to obtain a lawyer for assistance. See http://law.freeadvice.com/government_law/social_security_law/. Good luck.
812229
Hi... I'm sorry you guys are having to go through this. I can totally relate to this... I am 21 and am diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, Major Depression that's recurrent and severe, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and DDNOS. In the past year and a half, I've been hospitalized 9 times and have seen several psychiatrists and therapists. I've been on many different medications. So I do know what he is going through. \nI have been out of work since January of 2005. I first had to apply for Temporary Disability and be on that for 6 months before I could apply for Social Security Disability. But when it came time to apply for SSD/SSI I was nervous because I had heard from MANY people that it was a long process, and you almost always get denied on the first try. It took 8 months for them to give me a decision, and thank god, I was approved on the first try. I think that I was approved on the first try because of all the documentation I had... from the doctors, hospitals, and therapists. So I would definitely recommend getting as much support as you from his treatment team. \n\nI hope that everything will work out. Don't listen to the people on here who are saying nasty things. They have obviously never had to deal with severe mental illness before. You and I and everyone else who has suffered from it either personally or through a loved one knows that mental illnesses truly are debilitating. \nGood luck!\n~Julie~
293909
Check out http://disabilities-r-us.com
859349
HELLO THERE SORRY TO HEAR THIS, maybe I can help, I personaly do not know what getting ready to BE set up means except that it sounds to me as though a determination hearing is being set up, which in turn means you will be called in and probably be sent to a doctor of the s.s. administrations choosing to see if they agree with your! drs. findings.It is not that hard to get onto s.s. disability anymore, IF your dr. and the dr. that s.s. administration send you to agree that you cannot be gainfuly employed. A lot of times it takes  awhile though, because they can't just say yes, this person is disabled and start paying a per son benefits, while at the same time all the while you are waiting for your determiation ,you are putting money in the bank because if and when you are determined diabled you will be paid back till the time you first filed your claim. Sometimes it takes a year, sometimes less, and even if you are turned down you may sometimes find a lawer that will take a case like this on a contingency basis and you will still win in the long run. THE s.s. administration knows this all to well and they do not want this sort of thing, they are very understanding of disabled persons needs and will do all that they can to help you, although there are some people who work there  that still act as though they own the money paid into s.s. I would just go along with them and if you don't understand some things call their office and they will explain it to you they are very understanding in these matters and that is also their job.. hope you have good luck it sounds like you have had all the bad luck you need ..god bless and good day.. coinlight65