The older one is the easier it is to get SSD, as the govt. tends to assume that anyone over 50 would be considered unemplyable after age 50 (in a new job.) At least that’s what they told me when I got it at age 49, although almost 10 years later I am still unable to work (wear AFOs & use a cane to walk,) hands still bad (type with 2 fingers yet,) but most importantly I need to sleep about 10-12 hours a day to even feel half normal. Congrats on getting disability, as there will be less stress in your life now.

I got my approval within one week, after doing it over the phone (hubbie did fill out the necessary paperwork for me.) It depends on your current condition, & more importantly, your age. If you are over 50 they tend to consider you less employable anyways. I was in terrible condition, basically bedridden at the time & had been refractory to all of the standard treatments.

The most important piece of info one needs to apply for disability is a letter from a doctor, preferably a neurologist in your case, stating that you cannot work for at least one year. Other documentation is also needed, such as details as to what one can do & can’t do, being very specific. They are less likely to deny a person the older they are, thinking they are that close to retirement anyways. I understand your not wanting to lose your job, I was a teacher as well & still remember so well all of the students I had that last day of my working on April 1, 2002. But I declined very quickly to quad status & nothing was bringing me around. Good luck doing what you have to do…

I am assuming that your mother would be getting Social Security Disability based on her working years. If she is able to get it (shouldn’t be all that difficult at her age), you do realize that there is a 2 year wait to get on Medicare after one begins SSD? Doesn’t she have any other type of health insurance that she can continue to stay on until then? Otherwise, all of her medical expenses will be out-of-pocket.

First we need to make the distinction between SSD & SSI. SSI is for those people who qualify as to being diabled, but do not have enough quarter hours worked to get SSD. They are usually younger people (I had students 18 years of age getting SSI for dx such as bipolar disorder, shizophrenia, or severe depression.) But one must qualify for SSI by being considered low-income & cannot have assetts totaling over $2,000. This includes your automobile, computer, savings, etc.

Most on this forum are people who have lengthier work records, & so do qualify for SSD as far as quarter hours. Now, the main criteria that is the most important thing is a letter from your doctor, preferably your neurologist who knows the most about GBS or CIDP, saying that you CANNOT work in any capacity for at least 12 months. Even then many will be denied, because our government is under the assumption that most people who are denied once will give up.

The best time to apply is while you are still getting short term disability from your last employer; that is why there is a 6 month waiting period, even for people who are severely disabled. The government assumes that most employers offer this 6 month period of time for people to collect from their previous employer. It also helps to be older; someone who is 50 or oler is much more likely to get SSD than someone who is 30. They are also less likely to get reviewed, as they consider people over 50 “umemployable” as far as starting a new career. For the younger people, they always look to “desk jobs” as a job anyone can do. They don’t realize that for some of us, the loss of our hands kind of rules out that aspect. Or even a weak voice, such as I now have, can rule out jobs such as telemarketing or receptionist jobs.

I was so severely disabled by progressive CIDP in such a short period of time, that I was approved over the phone in a week’s time; I was 48 at the time & had been teaching. Even 6 years later, having made many improvements, I still cannot think of any job that I can do. I have only been reviewed once, & that was just over the phone. But if you have to resort to an attorney, I believe that they take about $5,000 & you do get back pay going back to the time you first applied. Certainly better than giving up…
Pam

I was approved immediately when I first applied because of the severity of my CIDP. I started receiving it once my 6 months of short term disability ran out from my place of employment. I think that is why they make you wait 6 months from when you first apply? Not positive though… But I think you do get back pay to when you first applied for SSD, but there is always the 6 months of waiting, at least from the date of your last employment. Does this even make sense, as I am way past being tired; others will come on who know more! Anyways, CONGRATS on being approved…
Pam

I don’t know your present condition, or if you expect to improve much physically, but I was eligible for SSD & approved within a week. The good thing was getting some kind of income right away after my 6 months of employer disability ran out. But I had to wait for two years to be covered under Medicare. That was OK with us though, because my husband had good medical insurance. I do understand your predicament though, as if you were approved for SSD than you would probably lose the Medicaid coverage for your children? I hope your husband can find a good job soon, as that is really your best option right now. Easier said than done I know…

Hello – I am new to the forum. My son has CIDP, he is 21. He has had it for about one year now and has become quite disabled from the illness. He applied for SSD in mid February and was approved in six weeks. It was all done via telephone and mail. It helps a great deal to have all of your physician information, meds, and hospital dates, etc together. Also it is very important that your doctors are aware of filing and are supportive. SSD is very important, not just for the financial aspect but also for the eventual Medicare Healthcare benefits. We are also looking into the benefits that the State of Connecticut can provide to my son. I hope this helps and am happy to answer any questions. The only thing I would say is that we attempted to file online but it was too difficult to do so. The phone application, while lengthy, was easier.

I filed for Nate 2 mos after he was diagnosed. He got his first check 5 mos after that, no rejection.
Get all the docs to fill out what SSA asks for quickly. It really helps a lot if they don’t wait.
You have a real disability, not imagined and not something that heals quickly.
I’m very glad SSD is available.
Trudy, natesmom

Nate was approved within 5 mos of me applying for him. He had no problems with all the info I provided them as well as his doc providing all they needed.
He is on SSD also as he doesn’t qualify for SSI. You actually get more anyway on SSD.
They told him he will be on SSD as long as he is still disabled.
I figure probably close to another year for him.

Good news from here also. Today Nate was able to get in and out of his own car for the first time in 15 mos.
We always take our Explorer because its seats are level with his hips but it needs a new alternator so we can’t drive it.
So we took Nate’s car, a 93 Toyota Camry.
We got to PT and he took a breath, grabbed the door and the side of the car and stood up.
He gave me a surprised look and I gave him one too. Then we both smiled.
His legs are getting a little stronger than either of us thought.
Trudy, Natesmom
Nate GBS 1-6-06
Discharged from Hospital 9-30-06

Like Brandy said they will ask you to see their doctor some day. I received a letter after I got SSD in CA which said they would have me see their doctor in 5 years. That was 2 1/2 years ago. I’m sure there are people here that have been required to see an SSD doctor, maybe they can tell us how long it was before SSD contacted them. I would be interested in that. Still congratulations I know how good that feels.
John

Sean,
Congratualtions! Applying for SSD can be overwhelming especially when you are sick. They usually need so many copies of documents and records that it pushes a lot of people away. Fortunately, they seemed to treat you as if you were a human being. We always have to keep trying.

I think a lot of it depends on your current condition. I was approved via telephone a week after I applied, but they did have copies of my condition from my recent release from the hospital. If one’s condition is bad enough, they will approve you without an attorney. The main problem with an attorney is they get a portion of your SSD, usually around $5,000. I think it is better if you are able to get it on your own, but then I don’t know your present condition.

Hey Grawplyr,
I found out on Dec 13, 2006 that I have been approved for disability. WOW. What a relief. I have been sweating this for some time. I would have applied earlier, but I was receiving some unemployment, so I had to wait until the end of June. I have already received the check for backpay for myself and a deposit of backpay for each child (2). This is a true blessing. I am happy to say that I received approval on the first attempt. I had heard discouraging reports from other people, not necessarily on this forum, that I was sure I was going to be denied. I am truly grateful that I have been approved. Now I, also, must lose 100 pounds. Sigh.
Merry Christmas!
Jan B

Glad to hear that you have gotten approved and funds in before Christmas. I applied via phone on June 27, 2006 and just last week had an appointment with their psychiatrist. He told me that he would let ssd know how miserable my situation is. If I don’t take the drugs I will be back to the walker and possibly wheel chair. But the steroids I take make me nuts and brought on diabetes. And of course, the depression sets in. So, I am waiting to hear. I, very fortunately, had some funds to fall back on through this year. Without those funds, I don’t know how we would have survived. My husband (he is an amazing man) works out of the home and mostly takes care of me and the house and the children, so his income is pretty minimal. Getting SSD will solve a lot of problems I hope. I have some insurance that is Cobra that runs out as of July 2007. Do you automatically get medical assistance if you receive benefits? Does anyone know about that? Hi to Pam. Here we are in the “Tundra” and no snow in the metro area. It’s actually 39° outside.

Jan