<< SSA intends to keep reviewing people on the disability rolls, because
CDRs save the agency much money it would otherwise pay out in benefits.
However, if you remain disabled and prove your continuing disability to SSA
with proper medical documentation, you will keep receiving your benefits and
SSA's savings will not come at your expense. >>
Wow... this was interesting to find here today....
Just two days ago, I got a phone call from the SSA office -- after sending in
my "stack of papers" so that they could "review" my case.... I have been on
SSDI with the Systemic Lupus and the TM now for almost 9 years come this
April... Ya know what I was asked?
"When was the last time you saw your doctor?"--That was the question for 3
different docs... However, all of that info was listed on my pages and pages
of documentation that was requested..... hmmm.. and that was IT!... I don't
expect to have any problems...but hey ya never know...
Can you believe that when I first applied for SSDI...I was denied... and then
denied again....I guess this is fairly routine.... But the following sure
isn't!!! -- Or then again -- maybe it is!!!
The SSA officer (who was processing my claim) had called my doctor and asked
the nurse if I could sign my name....SHE NEVER SPOKE TO MY DOCTOR!! The nurse
said "Sure she can"... It was this information, combined with my age.... that
I was denied....I couldn't believe it!!! No one took into consideration that
working--required daily preparation--sometimes taking work home--in the
morning--dressing--makeup--heels--running to the dry cleaners--and walking
downtown from the parking garage a block away to the highrise...Meeting with
Corporate bigwigs.. and then hoping on planes--visiting offices throughout the
country... HELLO--What is wrong with this picture??... Can you imagine all
this on pain pills?! LOL! Just the thought today makes me tired.. and God
only knows how I was able to do it for as long as I did... But the saddest
part was that SSA expected me to continue working...
Soon, after I hired an attorney....Once I began to threaten a lawsuit because
I could no longer work the chemo was making me sick 10 days out of the 14...
After being off work for quite some time--and Chemo for more than a year--I
would soon lose my medical/insurance benefits if I didn't push for SSA
approval... But, once I got an attorney--they still continued to fight saying
that I was well-spoken, and nobody that sick could speak that well and
continue to be able to hold a pen...they finished with "I could do my job if
only I would continue to TRY!!!" HECK--They didn't take into consideration
that my doctor told me.. that if I were to continue I would die--My heart was
too weak!!! So--to make a long story short---It was only AFTER I wrote the
President of the US and my local Congressman....that I got my SSDI.... This
was less than 2 weeks after my letter writing....
And then the funny thing... less than 3 months later... Congressman Martinez
came out with a pamplet titled, "How Women can qualify/get SSDI approval"--The
whole pamplet was directed only to Women--I thought it was ironic--especially
after the HELL that SSA put me thru to get approval in the first place.... But
after I received it.. Nothing was ever said about WHY-- I was able to go from
total denial to "Oh mam, We are sorry... You will be covered in the next week
or so...." Interesting... Just beware....That SS system is really a pain in
the butt... Especially if you are young.. and struggling with a
disease/disorder that is misunderstood....
Good luck to all who are dealing with re-evaluations at this moment... I will
let you know how me reveiw turns out....
Janie