Hi All, just a little anxious today. I received a letter from the SSA requiring me to go to an examination by one of their selected doctors. I don't really understand since I've seen my rheumy and internist and physical therapist continuoulsy since february. Has anyone been to a social security administration exam and what should I expct, everything online is quite frightening
It is a very simple exam. They have you : try to touch your toes, stand on your heels, sit in a chair and get up without using your hands (which feels weird to do) stretch, try to push their arms down, then they do yours, they move your hands, fingers, legs to test joints. They touch your shoulders and neck to test for pain. They ask lots of questions, your read an eye chart,weight,height,pulse, blood pressure. It is kinda like a short physical. I think mine took like 20 minutes. Make sure to take a list of all the meds, vitamins etc that you take. They have you fill out a few papers when you first get there. Just basic questions. Do not be scared, we are here for you !! Let us know how it goes.
Sandy thank you. I waant sure what to expect. I will get tge mini pharmacy ready in a ziplock bag andkeep you posted. Its early next week. There is just an uneasiness anout seeing a doctor who knows nothing Bout me
I also took pertinent medical records and xray reports cause SS really doesn't send the doc adequate info. It helps him to know what to look for
Thank you poobie. I will try and get as much as possible. They havent left me with alot of time. Thanks for letting me know
I was nervous also. I was the drs first lupus case . She was nice and took alot of notes as we talked. I got turned down even though all the drs agreed about my case. So I just appealed my case this week with a lawyer. Just make sure you tell all your pains and they will ask you your daily routine. Make sure you tell them about rest, naps or sit downs during your day. It will help you :) Have a great night
I just got on disability in August of last year. It was a huge battle because SSA lost important documents and sent stuff to the wrong address, even though I never moved from my residence in 5 years. Make copies of everything. Call frequently and write down the date and time and who you talked to. I also have kidney disease and it was still hard. Luckily the time for a hearing has been cut from 22 months to 14 months. It will fly by before you know it, that is if you have to take the long route. I got a lawyer and that is when they started cooperating with me. I was approved due to my just not being dependable enough to keep a job. It was hard but I did it. Good luck and stay blessed.
Also, the SSA doctors can be nice and can be difficult. Either way, don’t get dicouraged. Know that it’s not just based on there opinion. I had lyme disease at the time of my first visit and my blood pressure and heart rate was terribly low (70/40 and heart rate was 41. Instead of it taking months or years to show up, it came within a matter of weeks and I was immediately put into the hospital. I couldn’t hardly move when I saw the SSA doctor and yet the doctor said he thought I was fine. Pfft, he has an idiots degree is all. The other times I went, the doctors were great. If you have an issue, explain it to SSA or your lawyer and you can get seen again. Another thing, SSA pays back up to two years past. I sadly had a hard time so I fought for 4 years but that isn’t typical. They paid me back for two years though so it really helped me catch back up. It’s depending on your filing date. So whenever you filed, they will go back as far as two years. Again, good luck and stay blessed and keep us posted.
Destiny Scott said:
I just got on disability in August of last year. It was a huge battle because SSA ost important documents and sent stuff to the wrong address, even though I never moved from my residence in 5 years. Make copies of everything. Call frequently and write down the date and time and who you talked to. I also have kidneu disease and it was still hard. Luckily the time for a hearing has been cut from 22 months to 14 months. It will fly by before you know it, that is if you have to take the long route. I got a lawyer and that is when they started cooperating with me. I was approved due to my just not being dependable enough to keep a job. It was hard but I did it. Good luck and stay blessed.
Destiny im so sorry you had to go throuhh that. i have started making copies and my prayer is that it continues to go snmoothlu
kawena312 said:
Destiny Scott said:I just got on disability in August of last year. It was a huge battle because SSA ost important documents and sent stuff to the wrong address, even though I never moved from my residence in 5 years. Make copies of everything. Call frequently and write down the date and time and who you talked to. I also have kidneu disease and it was still hard. Luckily the time for a hearing has been cut from 22 months to 14 months. It will fly by before you know it, that is if you have to take the long route. I got a lawyer and that is when they started cooperating with me. I was approved due to my just not being dependable enough to keep a job. It was hard but I did it. Good luck and stay blessed.
I added more to my reply through editing. It’s ok and thank you for your condolences. I might have had a hatd time but it made me a more patient person. I got the reward letter in the mail and didn’t know if I was reading it right because of the way it was worded. My lawyer called and congratulated me on winning. Aftee I was approved, it took a month to get the first check. It was 14k. I was so excited. Then they just keep coming. Depending on if you have children, you get SSI and back pay for each of them as well. I got after lawyers fees, a little over 35k. With the housing market being so low, it’s a good thing to try and invest if you haven’t been able too yet. I kinda went crazy spending my money because we went 5 years with nothing. Be smarter with it if you can. I don’t mind sharing my story if it helps others. Just know as long as you keep appealing, they will eventually approve you.
Ok thank you for sharing. I waa just wondering if I sjould get an attorney or wait to see what the decision is first. I understand their process but its so demoralizing
Yes it is. How many times have you appealed? I gave up fighting alone because it caused more stress than anything and that is the last thing we need right now. I made sure I got a local lawyer who specialized in disability and personal injury. She wasn’t a big named law firm but she did an awesome job and I didn’t mind parting with that money bacause of all her work she did for my case.
I do have to tell you, I got injured at the job back in 2007. I had to getbon workers comp and see doctors for treatment. That was in SC and I moved to FL while under treatment, to be closer to family. I did have a lawyer in SC because workers comp wasn’t actually working well with my treatment. I found out after I moved that they wouldn’t continue treatment in another state. I had to settle but was not suppose to file for.SSA due to that injury alone. I didn’t mention it in my case at all but SSA has to know of any moneys received through workers comp to factor the moneys into your back pay. Sadly, because they sent the paperwork requesting the amounts received to the wrong address, 18 months past and I didn’t hear anything. That is why I went to the lawyer. Come to find out, if I had received that paper and just turned in the amounts I received through workers comp, I would have been approved then. They closed my case at that point and made me start over. I was so upset but knew I had to follow through. This is why a lawyer is great to have. I got nothing nut problems before her but there are people in this lupus community that have won without a lawyer. Either way, I’ll keep you in my prayers.
I am in the first stage no appeals yet. Applied in Feb, received paperwork to complete in April from adjudicator and now request to visit CE so Im thinking I will have a decizion in June. I cant complain as it seems my case has been actively worked since submission. Please keep me in your prayers, thiz community has been so encouraging
I sure will hon. I think after you appeal the first time is when it’s best to get a lawyer. The lawyers knowledge and knowing the importance of how things are written will really benefit your case. If you can do it without a lawyer then that’s wonderful. Don’t get discouraged over any of it. They are so cautious now days because of all the people who have applied and don’t need it. It’s not our faults and has nothing to dowith us personally. Your time for approval will come and be a great day.
I had difficulty being able to see doctors after my approval because I had copays through medicare and couldn’t afford it. I had finally moved out of my parents and into a place big enough for my three daughters, spouse and me. It was hard because at the time, my spouse was going through training to get his cdl and I had the only income. I went to the local access office (government assistance office) and begged them to put me on medicaid. I actually didhave medicaid but as a secondary insurance. Well they put me in touch with care plus and now I have no copays, nocopays for specialist and no hosptial fees. I also receive free meals after being discharged from the hosptial. There are discounts of food from jenny craig or nutrisystem. I get to even go the a gym for free. Since I can’t do normal work outs, I am gonna do water exercise. It is so much more comfortable on joints. There are a lot of bebefits to medicare suppliment providers so check into one when you can.
They also billed me at first for my medicare nut then sent me a check to refund the payment. I do not have to pay for benefits. Just wanted to throw that in so you don’t get discouraged when they do that, if they dobit to you. If you have anymore questions or concerns, feel free to ask. I’ll try my bedt to remember or help with suggestions where I can. Staying positive through this is the key.
thank you so much for sharing with me. CE is tuesday so i will keep you posted
Good luck! From what I have heard, after your first denial which seems to be automatic, getting an attorney will greatly speed up the process and your chance of approval. I'm not on disability yet, but I may need it one day in the near future.
Prayers!
Dobby