Re: FYI - SSA to review Disability Beneficiaries
Jo Ellen Finkelstein (ghellen(AT)ninenet.com)
Thu, 10 Dec 1998 19:17:49 -0600
SHIGETTE(AT)aol.com wrote:
>
> In a message dated 12/9/98 9:23:42 AM Pacific Standard Time, RCookHook(AT)aol.com
> writes:
>
> << 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....
> JanieHi Janie, Joellen here. WOW you went through alot, I was lucky (?) I
got mine right away (well after the 6 months waiting period) of course I
was in a wheelchair and it's kind of hard to do visiting nurse work from
one of those! I wonder if they will do a review on me? I know that I
get a letter each year to see if I have remarried (I would lose my
pension and medical insurance if I did) but that is from the post
office (my late husband worked for them for 22 years before he died)
Hope things go alright for you! Joellen