About Social Security Disability
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Social Security Disability Reviews
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Reviewed Dec. 18, 2019
SSDI is not interested in your illness or your doctor's notes, progress notes or anything that anyone except the occupational therapist says. I went before my ALJ and was denied not because I'm not disabled, but because the OT found 1 job that he claimed I could do, cleaning houses (I spent 25 years as a manager at FedEx Express). So I called Merry Maids, the largest cleaning company in my area and was told "We call them cleaning ladies, not cleaning men"...when I pressed further it was explained that men want women to clean their houses and women dont want strange men in the home when they are alone.
I have been waiting 5 years, had my denial appealed and have another ALJ hearing on Jan. 10. The laws governing SSDI are either not enforced at all...are partially enforced based on the judge or are totally ignored, as in my case, by the judge. By the way, this judge who is deciding your future could just as easily be arbitrating a pension dispute so I wouldnt get too confident. If you are dying, you still may not be approved. My advice...try to work if you can. If not, I'm sorry There's nothing else to say.
Reviewed Dec. 9, 2019
I have applied for disability numerous times but this year will be the first time that I've appealed. Now my case is being looked over by the "Appeal Council" because I did not agree with the appointed judge's denial decision. I remember being told by 2 state appointed psychiatrist/therapists (one that I had seen twice and he was surprised that I was still fighting for disability) that I should not only be on medication for my anxiety and depression but that I AM disabled and should receive disability. However, as I was told, mental disorders aren't taken seriously when it comes to SSA and I can't say I'm surprised. You can dress yourself? You're fine. You can leave the house and go to the store? You're fine. You can count to 10, spell backwards and know what year it is? You're fine.
To have state appointed psychiatrists say that there are people who DON'T receive disability, who should be on it and people who DO receive disability, who shouldn't be on it, tells you all you need to know. It's almost like they've stereotyped people with mental disorders as, uneducated, unstable slobs and that's simply not true. Just because someone LOOKS like they're keeping it all together, doesn't mean they don't go home and lock themselves in their bedroom to cry. It doesn't mean they don't go weeks without talking to people simply because it requires too much energy and it surely doesn't mean they're not disabled just because they can get up in the morning and put on a t-shirt. Those same people who look happy on the outside, have taken their own lives because they really weren't as happy as they looked.
Reviewed Oct. 10, 2019
I applied for disability three times and appealed three times and was denied three times. Third time I applied I was told I was not considered to to be disabled. Unfortunately employers didn't agree. Thus I couldn't get a job and support myself and my two children. Something has to change and I don't know how-to change it.
Reviewed Aug. 3, 2019
Updated on 6/8/2020: Still nothing. Not that it matters. I suffer, Doctors come and go. Nothing has changed. Saw their doctor. Got denied again. 2012-20 got new attorney. Same crap repeat. I know that there are people that have it worse than me. Still waiting on a cure lol. Doctors said I won't get better and no meds make anything tolerable. But got more problems due to meds. My biggest regret is playing by the rules.
Original review: In 2012 I started this processes. Not only the hell I have gone through everyday 8 years all the doctors, meds, PT 3 times and everything else. My conditions just gets worse. The waiting in between dragging on till I run out of credits. Just recently get I don't got enough credits. 98-12 I had 59 they went 09 to 19 stating I only had 16 needing 40. Everything I've going through and was cheated discriminated by attorneys and failed me. Life isn't fair but they take the cake. Didn't expect a lot of back pay or to be judged by looks that I'm not scum. I was given a diploma, went out, achieved with covered up learning disabilities doing manual labor. Now I'm physically and mentally destroy. I have to say my disabilities started in 2018 to get SSI to live if I get it. Thanks for making thing worse.
Reviewed July 14, 2019
SSA disability examiners don't care about you. They just go thru the motions. This program is run by non-caring examiners. Just a program that needs revamped from top to bottom. Get rid of the old and bring in the new. Very corrupt program for older citizens.
Reviewed June 23, 2019
My initial thoughts were to give it three stars, but, in light of the reviews here and observing my brother-in-law go through the process and dealing with LTD, I had it easy with the SSA. I was told the initial review would take two to three months and I would likely be denied. It took eight and I was denied. I filed for reconsideration. I was asked to see an SSA psychologist. I have a physical injury. I thought it was odd. He listed my medications and confirmed I used a hearing aid. Then he gave me a memory test. That was it. A few months later, I was told by the service I used that I had been denied and would have to apply to go before a judge. I heard nothing from the SSA. I became discouraged and procrastinated. After being prompted by the service, I filled out the paperwork.
Two days after my sixtieth birthday, I was checking out my bank account online. The day after my birthday, two lump sums were deposited to my account. I called the service to see if I had been approved. They checked with the SSA and said there was no news. A couple of weeks later, I received a later stating that I had met the medical qualifications for disability but that I had not yet qualified for the non-medical criteria. About three weeks later, I received the award letter. I was told that I had almost no chance of being approved at the reconsideration level and would only be approved if there was a mistake, yet I was approved. All in all, it took about a year.
If you call the SSA, you have to wait an hour or more to talk to someone. If you go to their offices, it is about the same wait. The waiting is annoying but understandable. There are a lot of people. They have always been courteous and professional. I have nothing but good things to say about the people I have dealt with.
My advice is not to game the system; be honest. Have realistic expectations. Know the rules. Above all else, be PERSISTENT. Be nice when you talk to them. Using a service such as Allsup improves your chances. They will provide a lawyer as needed. You do not need a lawyer for the initial application nor for the reconsideration. You do need one to go before a judge. A service will explain step by step how to fill out the application. It will explore other issues you might have for the SSA to consider. It will ensure your application covers all the possibilities.
The SSA has a re-enactment video of an actual case. Watch it and listen carefully. One thing it mentions is that if you claim to be in pain, you had better be taking prescription pain medications and seeing a doctor regularly. Discussing it with a former SSA approver after the fact, he told me that your likelihood of being approved increases significantly after you turn fifty. It improves vastly more after you turn sixty. I was approved the day after turning sixty. He said that you wouldn't be taken seriously if you claimed that you couldn't do anything. On the other hand, don't claim to be Superman.
Reviewed May 29, 2019
I get a message from SSI saying I need some paperwork regarding my application. I called back every day for two weeks and left messages with no return call! I finally get him on the phone and he tells me he never heard back from me and has tried to reach me and put my case on hold.. He is a liar! Then I asked if I could come in and settle the issue and give him the paperwork, and he says, "Oh you can’t see me" and gave me a fax number for the documents...any bets on him saying he never received the fax.
Reviewed May 20, 2019
Where do I begin? My husband suffers from front temporal lobe epilepsy with brain damage. He fought eight years, after getting denied twice. He was promised $40,000 in backpay. Finally, last year, he won. They took four months to give him a MONTHLY check of $23. Then it was $150. Then his SSI hit and he started getting a decent amount of money. However, they LIED to him and ARE CONSTANTLY LYING TO HIM about when he is going to get his $17,000 SSDI backpay! First they told him it would be 60 days after his approval. THIS IS A LIE! Then, they told him it would be after his third payment. ALSO A ** LIE! Then they told him that it would be “No later than January 3rd.” ALSO A ** LIE! Then they gave him $2313 of his SSI backpay, in hopes of making him shut up. Then they told him his SSDI would be in “On May 11th, guaranteed.”
Right before May 11th gets here, we realize...Wait a minute, the 11th is a SATURDAY! So when the money was not in, obviously, we called on Monday. The very sweet lady said that it would be “No later than Thursday.” ALSO ANOTHER ** ** LIE! We called Thursday and they said they did not know why someone would tell us any dates because they were not going to give me my backpay AT ALL! THE PAYMENT CENTER MYSTERIOUSLY CANNOT BE CONTACTED FOR ANY REASON! SOMEBODY AT THAT PAYMENT CENTER HAS ** ME UP! I have contacted every government agency in the US to get through and NOTHING HELPS!
Reviewed May 6, 2019
I applied for disability in 2012. I had been unable to walk for about 5 years. I was falling down and bashing my head and body a lot. Their Dr’s could not find anything wrong with my legs so the judge at my hearing put in writing I was fat, lazy and a fraud. That was the end of July 2015. Two months later I had many strokes. One month later my first heart attack. They discovered a blood clot the size of my stomach was cutting off my blood flow to my legs and crushing my organs. S.S. still denying my claim. Another heart attack. 2 major surgeries still denied. Lost everything. Sold everything of value. After one year in the hospital I finally got approved. But lost all Back pay. And currently can’t afford to live anywhere in the county and owe huge amounts of money. I had zero doubts before I became ill.
Reviewed May 4, 2019
I have a listed condition and I met the listing based on the SSDI guidelines. The SSA even wrote in both denial letters, "although your condition is serious..." but then they added, "we don't expect it to last 12 months" so that they could deny my claim. My attorney filed 2 requests for on the record decisions, submitting more medical records each time. He also included my approval letter from my LTD company, approving me as disabled in any occupation.
They still ignored my request for OTR. I have to do the hearing by video in a few months. They seem to have ignored my treating physician opinions entirely, yet I filed in Jan 2017, 2 months before they changed the regulation so they would no longer have to give the treating physician opinion the weight. I believe they continued to ignore my OTR request so that they could force me in front of a vocational expert. They are doing this to me, in spite of the fact that my doctor wrote a residual functional capacity form stating I needed breaks every 1 to 2 hours in an 8 hour day and could be out of work for months at a time with no warning.
What possible work will they fabricate that I am capable of doing under those conditions. In my 2 prior denial letters, they stated I could work as a bus monitor or a kosher meat inspector. I am college educated and have only ever done white collar work. I have moderate to severe cognitive impairments resulting from brain atrophy. After 11 knee surgeries, cervical disc replacements and lower back surgery, I tore the cartilage in both hips. I don't think I could be a bus monitor and only Ranbis can be kosher meat inspectors.
I am also over 55, worked most of my life aside from a 2 year period where I was awarded a fully favorable decision on my SSDI claim. My condition is permanent and likely to only worsen further, as I age. There is no cure. They could have just approved me at the listing level and freed up the ALJs. They are breaking their own policy guidelines in ignoring treating physician opinion on claims filed prior to Mar 2017, in their zest to deny claims.
Reviewed May 3, 2019
I don't mean to be rude, but I almost have to laugh at some of these reviews with people complaining about waiting a few months, or even a year or two for their SSD. Even better is the one complaining about $42. Can anyone beat my ordeal? I filed for SSD in 2009- yes, you read that right - TEN years ago. In that time I have been denied by the lower levels, had an ALJ hearing which I was denied at, Appeals Council then denied my request for a remand, my case went all the way to federal court where it sat for years when the decision was FINALLY turned over by a federal court judge who then sent it back to Social Security. I was made to have ANOTHER hearing with the SAME ALJ who originally denied me and who seemed quite perturbed at that I was back.
His first words at the hearing was "why are here again?" Needless to say, he denied me again. Appealed at the Appeals Council for the second time and they overturned the judge's decision AGAIN and now I'm sitting here waiting for them to schedule me a new hearing yet again. I have had TWO consultative exams with Social Security's own doctors and both wrote extensive reports (over 10 pages long) and BOTH concluded their report with literally stating that I would not be able to sustain full time work. My lawyer said that is practically unheard of for SS doctors to do. They won't even listen to THEIR OWN DOCTORS! Not to mention my own doctors who wrote letters detailing my condition and also said that I would not be able to sustain work.
So basically, they think that their own doctors are incompetent and that my doctors are so unethical that they will just write whatever I ask them to because I pay them. In the last 10 years I have lost everything- my home, my good credit, my friends- literally everything. I have to depend on my sister for help with everything and even my parents who are in their 70s. This system is completely disgusting. I wish I were dead every day because of them. I have zero hope that my THIRD hearing will have any different result than the last two.
Reviewed May 2, 2019
I applied for SSDI in April of 2018 because I became ill, and started experiencing extreme pain, and couldn't return to work since September of 2016. Well, after applying it took several months before I got a decision. My case was even picked up by the auditing part of SSA to make sure the part of SSDI that makes the decisions were doing their jobs right. Well, when I got my letter saying I would be getting SSDI, they also said I didn't qualify to be disabled until August 9, 2018, which in fact, has screwed me out of my back pay. And I found that out today. So thank you government for hurting me again. You took so long to pay me you put me in deep debt, and without that back pay I have no way to pay my debtors off.
Reviewed April 9, 2019
I filed a temporary claim with them when I was diagnosed and had both breasts removed from cancer. I was denied all through the process and was told to have a hearing. By the time I waited on the claims process I was already healed and although I still suffer from nerve damage was able to return to work full time. The social security disability benefit is a joke. I paid my own money into that for when I would need it and then have them tell me I can't have it. This whole administration needs an overhaul.
Reviewed March 21, 2019
They are deliberately denying claims. Chief judge came out stated they are being urged to deny claims. They hire lawyers and give them title law judge. 7th District court which are real judges said they ignore medical evidence and play Dr. Majority of all claims are denied to tie up a fake court system. One Dr stated denials are a cash register. One had ** conviction other could practice. Chief medical officer for social security thought their tactics were unethical and let go. The denial lady told me there was no employment I could do but they put down there is so they can deny my claim. Complete sham. People are living in the woods.
If you apply you will lose your home, destroy your credit and maybe commit suicide. We have a benefits crisis in this country. They now want to watch you on social media but who watching them and the fraud they are committing on deliberate denials. It doesn't matter if you can do every job in America. If you miss 7 days in a year you'll be terminated. People rather do gainful employment they make 2/4 times more. Social security should start hiring these people. You want give illegals SSI but can't take care of your own people.
Reviewed March 13, 2019
I went in with eyes open. You should assume if you file for SSDI it will take at almost 3 yrs to complete unless you have terminal diseases. It has been this way for years. If you have a high school degree and or college, it will be harder. If you are under 50, harder. If you are in your 20s and 30s, really hard. If you are claiming fibromyalgia, anxiety, chronic pain syndrome it will be harder, mild learning disability, harder. I had a CE exam. He was very nice and actually said I was in worse shape than my own doctor. The judge looks for consistency between all your medical records and follow up care and taking your medication and if your daily activities compares to medical conditions and CE exams If you haven't been seen by a dr in a yr, not good. Not taking meds, not good.
Be totally honest, don't exaggerate. When you fill out your daily activity forms, don't exaggerate. You don't have to be housebound doing nothing to be approved. I was diagnosed w/ fibromyalgia 18 yrs ago. I thought it was crap then and I told the CE dr I didn't think I had fibromyalgia and he agreed w/ me. Get a lawyer. If you are asked to get occupational testing don't exaggerate. Do your best. If you don't, they will see through it and that will not be good for your case. I was approved at my hearing so I didn't have to wait for a decision. It took less than 2 months to receive my award letter and money. If you are going to do this, get a LAWYER. You will more than likely be denied until you go to hearing. Just telling you what I learned during this process. 4 stars because it takes so long. Good Luck.
Reviewed March 11, 2019
I have been like this for years on and off and have had some days feel better than others. I can say a real anxiety sufferer like me feels like I'm looking through a snow globe at times and just trying to turn it off because it's scary. Workers need to review the person's file and really think should we be sending this person a review questionnaire as if someone been lying the whole time? Really? SMH, let the person try to function at work as much as they try but the stress builds up and it puts more stress on the person who seems close to fainting or having a meltdown. Real anxiety and depression are not something to lie about.
Reviewed March 5, 2019
They lie...sit on their butt...while people who worked full time most of their life are losing their homes and taking their lives. Fix the problem and get these joke of examiners out! NC is a mess! Fix it now! I would rate them a zero if that was a choice!! 8 months...and still no facts... My doctors tell me they didn't even request medical records yet!! It's been 8 months! Damn joke. And NC representatives do absolutely nothing to improve the joke of a system!!!
Reviewed Feb. 23, 2019
In early January I learned there were fraudulent charges on my account. After being on hold for over an hour I was told I would receive paperwork to file a claim for these charges. Inexplicably, $100 of the charges was credited back to my account. Next I received a letter stating the remaining charges were given back as a "provisional credit." Yesterday, one of the fraudulent charges was deducted from my account as a "reversal debit." I tried calling several times and was hung up on due to heavy call volume.
Today, I finally talked to someone and all it did was piss me off further. The representative was extremely rude, refused to answer WHY the charge was deducted although the investigation is allegedly not over yet. He kept talking in circles. I asked to speak to a supervisor and got the same treatment. Direct Express literally has hundreds of complaints of this nature and yet neither Social Security nor CoAmerica make has done a damn thing. It is past time for a Class Action lawsuit to be filed against all three of them.
Reviewed Feb. 7, 2019
I have been unable to work since 2011 and SSDI refuses to approve me. I have a blood disease, a mild cognitive disorder, fibromyalgia, severe anxiety and major depression. And SSDI at the hearing level still would not approve me. They claim I am still able to work. The people making these decision need to become ill and have to go through the same system they make determinations to see how it feels. It is a shame that in this so called developed country the sick and poor have to suffer like this. All the years we work and pay for Social Security and when you need it you have to fight tooth and nail to get what you deserve.
Reviewed Feb. 2, 2019
I wish I could give 5 negative stars! Maybe the government shutdown will scare them a bit! And I am not D. T. supporter! I filed online application for disability. Hadn't finished it, wanted to it to be completed perfectly. Local office wanted me to file SSI. I was confident I didn't want to go through that. I canceled appointment for SSI. Was told I could still apply for SSDI. About 2 days later I received a denial for SSDI. Called national number, they said it was my local SS office that requested I go in. I am bedridden, I needed to be accommodated.
Finally called back after receiving an informal decision on SSI, WTF! Saying cause "I told them I didn't want to apply" seriously. Has phone interview, hung up on by customer service Agent from local office cause I asked too many questions. I actually called the system out about SSI back payments coming in one lump sum if you no longer qualify for SSI. "HANGING UP NOW!" Is it because I'm a **! I hate saying this crap, because I'm not a racist trump supporter, but geez! ** WOMAN IN NEW ORLEANS HATE ** WOMAN! I SAID IT! I'm so sick of this crap! I had nothing to do with your issues! I'm poor as poor can be! Every time I hear a noise I go look for the tow truck! Frig is bear! Credits shot! Fired from my job! Asked for an accommodation. Got fired!
Went to EEOC. Was told I couldn't file a charge because of my last job in service doesn't allow. Basically doesn't allow disabled people to get accommodated! Now not able to work over a year! Filed a new claim. It got lost by a really nice lady who they probably told to ** with me. I had to file a new one, Then found! Dr never had any SS people contact them! Now I've been waiting since March just to file a real SS disability claim. First one was a joke second one as I'm in the middle of telling her about my disabilities she's telling me not to tell her what disks are effacing my CSC. Seriously! Wow! As I'm writing this I'm wondering they will know it's me. I don't know why I even write this. Should I press send. Well. I suppose! Racism makes me suck! Reverse racism is rampant at the local SS office! Why! There is sooo much more that went on but, mine is still processing and I'm really scared! It's who you know!
Reviewed Jan. 16, 2019
I receive SSI and SSA every couple of years. They send me threatening letters they will stop my payment. I have learning disability since I was a kid. I've been receiving payments. My dad was the payee since I was a little boy now as an adult I receive my own payments. Threatening letter say they have to review my claim. Have to go to a stupid psychiatrist to evaluate me which is a psychiatrist send by Social Security. Not even sure if he's even a real doctor. Had my benefits cut for very dumb reasons. A psychiatrist will see you in determining whether you are disabled not just by talking to you or giving you some school work for 2 to 5 minutes. Not even realizing you've been receiving disability for over 10 years. But they don't care.
And I call Social Security and he told me those claim appeals can happen any time at any month in any year. Hickory said that disability does not forever. How the ** are you going to say someone can't be disabled for the rest of their life. And they want everybody to be independent regardless of your disability even if you need help. For example you can get help with paying rent or food they will count that as a income even suspend or cancel your whole entire check. I'm 29 years old. I lived on my own pay my own rent paid my own food. I don't drive so I use Uber. They did not bother me for a whole entire year but as soon as I start living with my sister they start bothering me.
I live with my sister several times and they always bother me when I live with a family member but when I live alone they leave me alone... some people say people on SSI are living off the system which those people are totally incorrect. We receive SSI for a reason. We do not live off the system. As I stated previously I lived on my own. I had rent, electric bill, cable bill, credit card bill, phone bill. We have bills to pay. No one lives for free. At the end of the month I only would be left with $50 for food... but some of those Social Security employee don't care. They will still cut off your check for any reason. There's been homeless because of their check being cut but they don't care. They'll give you a stupid reason that you can't have no address.
Are you an idiot? The person is homeless and you are the cause of it by cutting their check. I don't believe the system is broken. The problem is the employees don't know what they're doing. They're not trained correctly or don't care the people are disabled and they will do anything to cut your check. People who work for Social Security mostly have a high school diploma or only one degree. The system could be a hundred times better if they trained employees how to do their job correctly. Not slack off or break the law... forgot to mention the way they calculate your income and things you pay for is so retarded. They clearly are making up math. As they go you have to sit there with them and show them all the proof of how much for rent in things you pay for... if not they will sit there and try to make up a number. How retarded. My rent was $395. They try to say I paid less than $150. Have to show them my lease and all the proof...
Reviewed Nov. 13, 2018
I have been unable to work since 2008. I suffered a severe injury as a child and my symptoms kept progressing as I aged. I was able to work for a while but my symptoms got worse and worse to the point I could no longer do the duties of my job. I had surgery but it only made things worse to the point I couldn't move my arm for several months and I have severe constant nerve pain in my neck and dominant arm and constant muscle spasms. The doctors say the only thing else they can try besides pain management would be neck fusion surgery which my shoulder specialist said never to allow anyone to do. I have seen numerous doctors and have tried about everything multiple times, physical therapy 4 times, surgery, acupuncture, massage therapy, tens/men's, etc. I have over 200 pages of doctor documentation just related to this health problem.
I did not know about Social Security Disability insurance until recently (the only assistance I will if for) so I applied and submitted my 10 years and 200 pages of health records. I was denied saying the evidence supporting disability did not exist in my medical records which was a lie. I spoke to lawyers who had me outline the disability policy that pertained to my disability and was told it did qualify since it affected more or more major joints, gave them my records, and they helped me with an appeal. Unfortunately none of my doctors remembered me from years ago and would not respond to their questionnaires so the lawyer said they would not help with the appeal but to send it in on my own but expect to be denied because the current administration is automatically denying almost everyone under 50 according to a former judge they pay as a consultant. I appealed and was told the same thing, evidence does not exist for claimed disability.
I had MRI reports, x-rays, doctor notes, and all kinds of info that showed I have chronic pain and instability in my neck and dominant arm but they lie and say I have no evidence of disability. It is sad that they lie and don't understand that invisible disabilities are real and are a constant battle for those that live with them. I feel like the process is to discourage people from applying. This is just a glimpse into what applying was like. The whole thing took about 9 months and was very discouraging. They make you do a whole lot of work and put little to no work into reviewing your case, simply responding with a canned letter and a handful of words saying you are denied. It sure makes people applying feel like crap. I worked as long as I was physically able and paid into social security and then it's not there when I need it and to top it off they lie and belittle my disability in their denial letters. What a miserable bunch a people they have running this program.
Reviewed Nov. 2, 2018
This system is a joke. They are denying people on a whim now. My case was open and shut going into the trial. My doctor had already reported me as fully disabled per the RFC. The ALJ denied me on the following grounds: regular church attendance, riding a motorized bike for transportation (only vehicle I could afford after waiting over 2 years for a trial); and having a pet cat that lives outside to catch the mice coming in my trailer. Yet, MILLIONS of people already on disability go to church regularly, ride bicycles up steep hills with no engine assistance, and take care of big, barking at cars and crapping in the yard - dogs. They just don't want to pay up after you've paid in because THEY CAN'T BALANCE THEIR OWN BUDGET.
Reviewed Oct. 1, 2018
Worked all my life. The last 2 to 3 years in increasing pain. Had to eventually quit. SS denied, like they do everyone. My son had been approved previously because he was autistic. Because of income, he wasn't eligible for anything so I let it lapse. Reapplied when I applied for mine. While he was previously approved without question, now he's denied. Waited 2 1/2 years and the judges just shook their heads because they knew we should have been approved. I lost my home, credit, everything. Finally got my back pay and they didn't say a word about taxes, keeping it, anything. So now that I spent nearly all of mine just to keep HUD and additional help, I find out some of it's taxable and there are some limited ways to keep it.
But you have to pay more legal fees and accountants just to get through it. Why even bother with back pay at all since they know it won't help you, and in fact makes it worse? Social Security should be required to disclose this information to all recipients in a clear understandable manner, and not make the person find out later. They should also pay a penalty each and every time they deny cases they KNEW qualified. Because I'm over 50, their own regulations state I should have been approved. But only the government gets to ignore their own rules. Rules only apply to everyone else.
Reviewed Sept. 5, 2018
I have applied for Social Security a couple times and finally made it to a hearing in front of an administrative law judge to only be turned down again. A person who has lived in pain for 22 years from breaking their pelvis in half finally gets to the point they need to file and gets denied. It makes me wonder how our system has gotten so screwed up. I am filing for an appeal with the appeals council if I'm denied an appeal. I guess that it will have to go to civil action in U.S. federal district court.
Reviewed Sept. 3, 2018
Why does Social Security threaten to stop your SSI checks every few years? You go through hell to get it, and then after they give it to you, they keep trying to stop your money, (what's with that?)... Are they just bored and like to harass people by threatening their livelihood?
Reviewed Aug. 9, 2018
I have stage 4 congestive heart failure. Was diagnosed March 2015. Now I am 46. Days after my diagnosis I was terminated from my job of 6 years. I was able to collect unemployment for 14 weeks but left with no money no insurance thereafter. I did file a wrongful termination case with the EEOC and won of a year later but funds covered past months. Now 3 and a half years later I still am waiting because I can't afford medication. Now I have chronic pulmonary hypertension in end stages and far worst then my heart problems. As if I was not suffering enough. I am days away from being homeless. I have paid into of system since my very first paycheck and never given is choice to do otherwise. Yet when I need help I get nothing.
I have worked all my life only to find myself homeless in my last days?!? Never have I collected any assistance in all my life nothing not a dime. Yet here I am. I feel our system is so very flawed. I can't believe I am still waiting a disability approval. I checked again today and same message I am approved medically and my case is being work to see if I qualify. Same message 6 months.
I hired an attorney day one. That has not helped. I call the disability office every 2 weeks. I contacted my state representative. I hound my attorney's office. I have contacted anyone who would listen yet I have no help, no money and no way to afford a doctors visit even at a clinic nor medication. I have sold most of what I own for pennies just to be able to eat and keep my power on to maintain my breathing machine. More than 10,000 people died last year alone waiting on an approval from disability. How many more people need to suffer like this? It's hard enough dealing with a terminal illness.
Reviewed Aug. 8, 2018
I am still floored that Judge ** denied my SSDI claim over 6 months ago, first of all if you re reading this I assume you filed for SSDI and doing research. If there is three things I could pass on to you it would be 1. Most people on the internet say if it takes a long time after your hearing to hear about your judge ruled on you, you most likely won. That was not my case. It took almost 6 months to learn that the judge turned me down.
2. My lawyer, my cardiologist and my primary care doctor all said I would have no problem getting put on disability, now my lawyer said nothing is guaranteed but I was almost for sure going to win my case as she put it. You never know how the judge will rule but I had one of the strongest cases and should win no problem, so just because people that should know what they are talking about say something in your favor the only opinion is what the judge thinks. If the judge is having a bad day you will lose your case!
3. They always give you a chance to talk during your hearing towards the end of it. Take advantage of that. I feel like I didn't take full advantage of that time. It seemed everything was going my way in the hearing that I chose not to add anything that was most likely a mistake. And a 4th thing I was sent to a SSDI doctor and when I got there they said I didn't have an appointment so I had to call someone at SSDI to give me an appointment. Luckily I had the appointment letter with me so the doctor's people said they would try to work me in after about 2 hours. After my appointment time I was seen by the doctor for all of three minutes half of which the doctor complained about her pay she got from SSDI appointments.
In the the letter from the judge he talked on and on about how my 3 minute appointment. The doctor did not find cause for me to be put on SSDI. The judge never once in his final report mentioned my Cardiologist of over a year or my primary care doctor who I had seen at that point for over 10 years both wrote letters of support to get on SSDI. So long story short SSDI doctors are jokes. I'm a gulf war veteran and I feel completely abandoned and betrayed by my country and mostly by this Judge ** from Tampa.
One thing about being denied is that they do nothing for you afterwards, for me at least. I was so upset after my denial and there is no help with pointing you in the right direction. After going 3 years of appeals you just get a letter stating you have used up all appeals, no offers of job training to help me with finding a job with my disabilities, just a very cold final denial letter! This country has time and again borrowed money against social security and never paid it back.
Uses that money to give so called aid to counties that hate us, gives tons of aid to illegal immigrants, gives money to so many groups it can make your head spin but when me a gulf war veteran ask to get the money I paid into the system I get denied, when my primary care doctor and cardiologist took away my driver's license so I cannot do my job as a truck driver that I had done for 23 years before being disabled and they write letters of support for my claim and it has been proven that my disabilities are most likely from my time in the gulf war. The judge still denies me. There are no words of how betrayed I feel.
Reviewed Aug. 7, 2018
My husband recently was approved for his disability. I had to go to the social security office two different times. Once for a meeting with a worker and once to drop off my pay stubs and bank statements. While there I ask both times (two different people) if when it’s time to apply for our sons if I need an appt. Both ladies told me that I just come in to apply. No appt. needed. I made sure to ask them both. I went to apply today and then was told no I cannot apply. I need an appointment. It’s not easy for me to get down to that office and the lady asked if I would like a phone interview or to come back in. Of course I picked a phone interview and I have to wait another month for that. I let them know the lady’s name that told me I did not need an appointment but they wouldn’t even listen to me. They did not care, worst experience of my life. She was so rude for no reason.
Reviewed July 26, 2018
HIPAA violation with judges knowledge of error 3 times. Hubby had 3 strokes, neuropathy, diabetic, vision loss. Filed SSD 2015, denied claim due to wrong information on another person, different birth date, different social security number (HIPAA violation.) As soon as error was found. (denial letter) all proper documents turned into SSD office. Had 2 hearing in front of judge, July and Nov. 2017, they still had wrong person's information at both hearings! (HIPAA VIOLATION!) Even had legal aid courier Over 130 pages of correct documents. SSD STILL HAD NOT INCLUDED THESE INTO MY HUSBAND'S FILE!
Moved out of state, requested a transfer, denied twice then they approved transfer and set a new hearing date for April 2018. SSD canceled the April 4th 2018 hearing on April 3rd 2018 and they stated they would notify us of a new hearing date, after a month went by we called and found out SSD moved hearing to Missouri and we don't live anywhere near Missouri! Almost 3 years now and still getting the runaround!!! We need an attorney to help us win this case and end this run-around so we can go on with our lives!
Social Security Disability Company Information
- Company Name:
- Social Security Disability
- Website:
- www.ssa.gov