SSD How Difficult Is It?

[JohnDB]

How difficult is it to be approved for Social Security Disability?

For example I hear that people have to get a lawyer these days to be approved for this insurance. And I'm confused about it. I've heard stories of people filing for their disability for years and getting rejected before finally being approved for their benefits after working for 40 years and get some sort of disability.

What's the story here?
Are they only halfway filling out the paperwork? Don't have a clear Doctor's note? Don't have enough calendar quarters to get benefits?

I'm confused....I didn't know that it was that difficult firstly. Secondly I don't understand why so many people are having issues to begin with that they need a lawyer.

 

[1srelluc]

I think in WVA they hand SSDI out with scratch-offs.

 

[Polishprince]

First thing that the SSA does is to make sure you have enough quarters of coverage. if you don't they won't bother with the disability evaluation. Then they check to see if you have what they call a "presumptive" disability. Things like amputated limbs, a couple of missing eyeballs or Stage 4 lung cancer. They give it to you right away.

If you don't, they send your file to disability determinators whose job it is to see if you have the right stuff for SSD.

A lot of times people get denied, and they have to do reconsiderations and appeals, that's what a lot of people get the attorneys for.

 

[Moonglow]

How difficult is it to be approved for Social Security Disability?

For example I hear that people have to get a lawyer these days to be approved for this insurance. And I'm confused about it. I've heard stories of people filing for their disability for years and getting rejected before finally being approved for their benefits after working for 40 years and get some sort of disability.

What's the story here?
Are they only halfway filling out the paperwork? Don't have a clear Doctor's note? Don't have enough calendar quarters to get benefits?

I'm confused....I didn't know that it was that difficult firstly. Secondly I don't understand why so many people are having issues to begin with that they need a lawyer.

Get specialist to sign off and it takes around six months.

 

[Harry Dresden]

First thing that the SSA does is to make sure you have enough quarters of coverage. if you don't they won't bother with the disability evaluation. Then they check to see if you have what they call a "presumptive" disability. Things like amputated limbs, a couple of missing eyeballs or Stage 4 lung cancer. They give it to you right away.

If you don't, they send your file to disability determinators whose job it is to see if you have the right stuff for SSD.

A lot of times people get denied, and they have to do reconsiderations and appeals, that's what a lot of people get the attorneys for.

First thing that the SSA does is to make sure you have enough quarters of coverage. if you don't they won't bother with the disability evaluation.
bullshit.....i know 2 people who have hardly ever worked and yet they get SSD.......

 

[JohnDB]

Reason being is that I have filled.
I've worked at least part time since I was 14. (Full time once out of school...even in college)
Always on my feet...always paid taxes and SS.
Now I'm 57 and the arthritis in my legs is to the point that I can't pull an 8 hr shift. (Much less the 6-10's or 12's that is almost standard)

They make some great knee replacements these days but that's not the only problem. They make ankles but they are still experimental and about half go bad and they amputate your foot when they fail. Shots help but again...not really a fix. There's times I could use a cane but I really don't want to use one until I begin falling.

So I have filled out the paperwork and sent doctor notes and diagnosis off so they can see that I'm telling the truth.
And I was curious about it all.
IOW it's a coin toss?

What a shame....I was hoping for better.

 

[Polishprince]

Reason being is that I have filled.
I've worked at least part time since I was 14. (Full time once out of school...even in college)
Always on my feet...always paid taxes and SS.
Now I'm 57 and the arthritis in my legs is to the point that I can't pull an 8 hr shift. (Much less the 6-10's or 12's that is almost standard)

They make some great knee replacements these days but that's not the only problem. They make ankles but they are still experimental and about half go bad and they amputate your foot when they fail. Shots help but again...not really a fix. There's times I could use a cane but I really don't want to use one until I begin falling.

So I have filled out the paperwork and sent doctor notes and diagnosis off so they can see that I'm telling the truth.
And I was curious about it all.
IOW it's a coin toss?

What a shame....I was hoping for better.

The fact that you are 57 is certainly a point of positivity. However, if you are still working, you are going to have a hard time saying you can't work, which is the general standard they go by.

 

[iamwhatiseem]

It is, and will always be an absolute luck of the draw.
Along with pretty much everyone else, I know several people on disability that in NO WAY should they be getting it.
One fellow hurt his back on the job waaay back in the 90s when he was about 30 years old.
This dude lives a few miles from me to this day, he mows his lawn with a riding lawn mower... he has a fishing boat and goes fishing by himself, anyone who does this knows what you have to do to get a boat on/off the trailer. I have seen him out washing cars/fixing his roof... etc. etc. - OBVIOUSLY he can work.
Meanwhile other people who are definitely struggling get rejected.
I know another loser that has been on disability for decades - for "Debilitating stress".... my ass. The loser plays golf 2-3 times a week, goes to baseball games, works in his yard - and even works part time is security. How the hell is he still on disability for this long??

 

[JohnDB]

The fact that you are 57 is certainly a point of positivity. However, if you are still working, you are going to have a hard time saying you can't work, which is the general standard they go by.

I haven't worked in a year.
I tried again last year to work as a chef/baker after a year hiatus due to Covid and joint pain. (I went to an orthopedic doc because of the pain) It didn't work out. I thought that the ladders was the chief source of my problems and quit being an electrician...so I started a partnership to make a coffee shop bakery. And it was successful. The numbers were like dominoes all falling in line during the second month. But the pain was excruciating. Long days on my feet. I ate Tylenol like candy. I eventually quit. (But not until I got every accolade from all food critics possible )

My wife works and just before the quarantines she finally began to earn as much as I did (but I had stopped most of the overtime) and then finally more than I ever did during the quarantines. (She holds a Master's degree and i dont....lol)

We get by....but I really want what I have paid for and was promised to me. I don't see why not. I earned it....I got arthritis to the point of disability by working all these years. I didn't get it by sitting on my butt.
But apparently it is not going to be easy. I'll post updates.

 

[Dekster]

It depends on how old you are when your disability began as to your eligibility:

• Before age 24 - You may qualify if you have 6 credits earned in the 3-year period ending when your disability starts.
• Age 24 to 31 – In general, you may qualify if you have credit for working half the time between age 21 and the time your disability began. As an example, if you develop a disability at age 27, you would need 3 years of work (12 credits) out of the past 6 years (between ages 21 and 27).
• Age 31 or older - In general, you must have at least 20 credits in the 10-year period immediately before your disability began.

Benefits Planner | Social Security Credits and Benefit Eligibility | SSA

To be eligible for Social Security benefits you must earn Social Security Credits. You earn these credits by paying Social Security tax on your income. Read more to understand how credits work and how many you will need to qualify for benefits.

www.ssa.gov

As for the OP you don't need a lawyer. It is also an area where you can have a non-lawyer advocate help you if you want or you can do yourself. Generally, you apply and unless you clearly fall in one of the strict categories you get denied saying you could work in one of those non-existent jobs like laundry room attendant. You then apply for reconsideration. which you will also likely be denied (reconsideration is really about them reviewing the person who denied you moreso than you), You appeal that. They will send you to one of their doctors for an exam who will look at everything wrong with you whether it is related to your applied for disability or not. That hearing is your real meat and taters hearing and is the point at which most people who get it will get it. You basically have to explain your issues and how it keeps you from working. A lot of lawyers won't take a disability case until you have been denied out of reconsideration because they want to do as little work as possible for their their limited cut of your potential award. By that time you will have done all the work for them so you really don't need one unless you can't speak for yourself.

 

[iamwhatiseem]

Very good example.....
A fella I have worked around since 2002, last February had a massive brain aneurism. And unfortunately was not found till they think about 36 hours after it happend. Long story short - he has lost about 80% of usage of his entire left side of his body. He can stand, with a walker shuffle walk with difficulty.
His cognitive ability is pretty severely affected. He can talk, but can no longer write. He cannot watch TV or ride in a car etc. because the mental stimulation of anything fast moving makes him physically ill.
Again - it happened in February 2023.
They applied for disability in late March. Paperwork everywhere, reapplying, questions... answering questions, fixing minor issues etc.
He did not receive his first check until October.
8 months.
For a man that can not possibly do any job whatsoever.
Then there was Medicaid....

 

[eagle1462010]

Everyone I know who got it hired a lawyer who knows the ins and outs. Still may take a while.

 

[progressive hunter]

Reason being is that I have filled.
I've worked at least part time since I was 14. (Full time once out of school...even in college)
Always on my feet...always paid taxes and SS.
Now I'm 57 and the arthritis in my legs is to the point that I can't pull an 8 hr shift. (Much less the 6-10's or 12's that is almost standard)

They make some great knee replacements these days but that's not the only problem. They make ankles but they are still experimental and about half go bad and they amputate your foot when they fail. Shots help but again...not really a fix. There's times I could use a cane but I really don't want to use one until I begin falling.

So I have filled out the paperwork and sent doctor notes and diagnosis off so they can see that I'm telling the truth.
And I was curious about it all.
IOW it's a coin toss?

What a shame....I was hoping for better.

I would hope they wouldnt just give it for that reason,, there are other jobs that dont requiring standing and moving all day,,

 

[Mac-7]

First thing that the SSA does is to make sure you have enough quarters of coverage. if you don't they won't bother with the disability evaluation.
bullshit.....i know 2 people who have hardly ever worked and yet they get SSD.......

I know of an elderly woman who arrived in the US via here daughter who was a naturslized citizen

And she went onto SSA within a year

 

[iamwhatiseem]

I would hope they wouldnt just give it for that reason,, there are other jobs that dont requiring standing and moving all day,,

Depends... you have to consider income as well.
I am 58, I have pretty bad CVI in both legs, but my right leg is worse. (Chronic Venous Insufficiency)
I have had 3 operations... will do no more, because none of them helped.
Plus I also have RA, thankfully non swelling, but causes pretty bad pain if I do any kind of repetitive squeezing etc. The legs prohibit me from standing for almost any length of time without pain. It also makes it hard for me to sit with my legs down for long periods of time.
I work. But I have been working in the same industry since 1987, and the same company since 1999.
I am the only person in the company that knows everything I know. Knowledge across all spectrums in the printing industry - all facets. That is the only reason I am still employed. What I know is what is valuable.

He may not be like that. At 57, a lot of employers are going to look right past him because they don't want to hire someone who is 57 years old. Ageism is very alive and well in America.
So it is not that simple.

 

[JohnDB]

Depends... you have to consider income as well.
I am 58, I have pretty bad CVI in both legs, but my right leg is worse. (Chronic Venous Insufficiency)
I have had 3 operations... will do no more, because none of them helped.
Plus I also have RA, thankfully non swelling, but causes pretty bad pain if I do any kind of repetitive squeezing etc. The legs prohibit me from standing for almost any length of time without pain. It also makes it hard for me to sit with my legs down for long periods of time.
I work. But I have been working in the same industry since 1987, and the same company since 1999.
I am the only person in the company that knows everything I know. Knowledge across all spectrums in the printing industry - all facets. That is the only reason I am still employed. What I know is what is valuable.

He may not be like that. At 57, a lot of employers are going to look right past him because they don't want to hire someone who is 57 years old. Ageism is very alive and well in America.
So it is not that simple.

I have been able to work circles around the kids as an electrician and as a chef/baker.

They look at me as if I'm an alien when I run on average of 250' of single conduit in a day with nothing more than a 12' ladder and a pipe bender (including boxes and junctions) and not a rack of pipe. And as a chef I regularly made 30 individual tarts an hour. (The kids do extremely good to make a dozen...)

Most electrician kids run 70' to 90' feet and think they have done something that day....and usually the kids have to do their work 2-3 times over again before the boss says it's acceptable. (I'm one and done)

But....
I'm getting slower as I age....used to do more. Tendinitis and arthritis and just general unwillingness to produce when it gets me nothing...except that I usually stay employed when the kids get layed off easier and faster than I do. (Every job ends)

But now it's to the point that it's ridiculous. I'm looking for retirement and they moved the age on me. Used to be that construction and other physically demanding trades retired at 55 and others at 62 or older. Now it's a mess and "one size shoe fits everyone" crap. The truth is not relevant and only being "more equal than others" is all that's relevant.

 

[Moonglow]

Reason being is that I have filled.
I've worked at least part time since I was 14. (Full time once out of school...even in college)
Always on my feet...always paid taxes and SS.
Now I'm 57 and the arthritis in my legs is to the point that I can't pull an 8 hr shift. (Much less the 6-10's or 12's that is almost standard)

They make some great knee replacements these days but that's not the only problem. They make ankles but they are still experimental and about half go bad and they amputate your foot when they fail. Shots help but again...not really a fix. There's times I could use a cane but I really don't want to use one until I begin falling.

So I have filled out the paperwork and sent doctor notes and diagnosis off so they can see that I'm telling the truth.
And I was curious about it all.
IOW it's a coin toss?

What a shame....I was hoping for better.

Unless you can prove that you can no longer continue your occupation due to physical disabilities you won't get it.

 

[Moonglow]

I have been able to work circles around the kids as an electrician and as a chef/baker.

They look at me as if I'm an alien when I run on average of 250' of single conduit in a day with nothing more than a 12' ladder and a pipe bender (including boxes and junctions) and not a rack of pipe. And as a chef I regularly made 30 individual tarts an hour. (The kids do extremely good to make a dozen...)

Most electrician kids run 70' to 90' feet and think they have done something that day....and usually the kids have to do their work 2-3 times over again before the boss says it's acceptable. (I'm one and done)

But....
I'm getting slower as I age....used to do more. Tendinitis and arthritis and just general unwillingness to produce when it gets me nothing...except that I usually stay employed when the kids get layed off easier and faster than I do. (Every job ends)

But now it's to the point that it's ridiculous. I'm looking for retirement and they moved the age on me. Used to be that construction and other physically demanding trades retired at 55 and others at 62 or older. Now it's a mess and "one size shoe fits everyone" crap. The truth is not relevant and only being "more equal than others" is all that's relevant.

So you know all aboot electricity, can you get these shortz out of my azz?

 

[iamwhatiseem]

I have been able to work circles around the kids as an electrician and as a chef/baker.

They look at me as if I'm an alien when I run on average of 250' of single conduit in a day with nothing more than a 12' ladder and a pipe bender (including boxes and junctions) and not a rack of pipe. And as a chef I regularly made 30 individual tarts an hour. (The kids do extremely good to make a dozen...)

Most electrician kids run 70' to 90' feet and think they have done something that day....and usually the kids have to do their work 2-3 times over again before the boss says it's acceptable. (I'm one and done)

But....
I'm getting slower as I age....used to do more. Tendinitis and arthritis and just general unwillingness to produce when it gets me nothing...except that I usually stay employed when the kids get layed off easier and faster than I do. (Every job ends)

But now it's to the point that it's ridiculous. I'm looking for retirement and they moved the age on me. Used to be that construction and other physically demanding trades retired at 55 and others at 62 or older. Now it's a mess and "one size shoe fits everyone" crap. The truth is not relevant and only being "more equal than others" is all that's relevant.

I hear you loud and clear - and could not agree more.
My father retired at 55 years old after working, on his feet, in labor for General Motors for 30 years.
He had a "second life" after he retired. Young enough to do whatever he wanted. He spent tons of awesome time with his grandchildren, went fishing 10,000 times... worked jobs he wanted to do off and on.
Etc.
I am in the same boat friend.
I have worked non stop, save one 30 day period in 1984, since I was 12 years old. It began with a paper route - together with mowing 3 lawns, shoveling snow, detassling corn, putting up hay etc. etc.
Started paying into the SS system at age 16 in 1981.
So I have paid in for 42 years. I am 58.
I would really have liked to retire at 62, at that point paying in for 46 years. But now - you can't get on Medicare until you are 65. So yeah... health insurance being astronomical that it is (with almost no benefit since Obamacare passed)
I have 7 years to go. At age 65 will I be able to do what I want? Probably not. I have the conditions I mentioned that are incurable.

 

[Moonglow]

I hear you loud and clear - and could not agree more.
My father retired at 55 years old after working, on his feet, in labor for General Motors for 30 years.
He had a "second life" after he retired. Young enough to do whatever he wanted. He spent tons of awesome time with his grandchildren, went fishing 10,000 times... worked jobs he wanted to do off and on.
Etc.
I am in the same boat friend.
I have worked non stop, save one 30 day period in 1984, since I was 12 years old. It began with a paper route - together with mowing 3 lawns, shoveling snow, detassling corn, putting up hay etc. etc.
Started paying into the SS system at age 16 in 1981.
So I have paid in for 42 years. I am 58.
I would really have liked to retire at 62, at that point paying in for 46 years. But now - you can't get on Medicare until you are 65. So yeah... health insurance being astronomical that it is (with almost no benefit since Obamacare passed)
I have 7 years to go. At age 65 will I be able to do what I want? Probably not. I have the conditions I mentioned that are incurable.

If you take SSI they will automatically enroll yous in Medicare..Same with SSDI. I have the VA so I have waiver for the Medicare and I started getting SSDI in 2010 and then on SSI this year at 62.