Has anyone here ever filed for disability for your spouse or child?

[JulieDB]

I applied for it for myself. I have not done it for anyone else. I applied online. That is, I think I printed stuff out from online and filled the papers out. It has been several years since I did this so I don't remember it all. I just remember having to mail some things in. You'll need the names and addresses of all the Drs. he has seen. They will request something from them. One Dr. who did my nerve conductivity test seemed to fall off the face of the earth. But I did still have his test results which were copied and faxed to them. My interview was done over the phone because I can't walk very fast or very far. Here I could get to the social security office because it has a parking lot and is a small building. But in NY? I wasn't going to risk it. They will do a phone interview if you request it.

[CW&M Mom]

We never went into the office, we did it all by the phone. I sent in 100's of pages of medical documentation including color copies of my son's lung biopsies LOL. They still sent in for documentation from all hospitals and doctors that my son saw...but apparently all that we sent and whatever they got was enough within 3 weeks. The dude on the phone was shocked LOL.

You should be able to go to the medical records departments of places to get copies of things...but prepared, that many places will charge you. I do it every few months for a whatever we have gotten so that it's only a few pages, thus they never charge me.

[motherofmolly]

i have heard that most if not all are denied the first time they then get a lawyer and file again and either get denied and try again or get approved. the first one is to weed out the ones that arent serious.

i would say, get more than one opinion on his back. have them document it in their notes. get copies of everything. if he isnt to that point now, start a paper trail so they can see that he has tried and exhausted all means to work.

[UCF Momma]

I has filed for both of my parents. And both were approved. At this point there is no reason to hire a lawyer. If you get declined, then yes, that is when you need a lawyer.

The first thing you need to do is go to the SSA disability's website and download the forms, complete them and file. Provide what ever Dr. information you can and be consistent in your answers. The case worker at disability will contact your Drs to get your medical history and for the Dr. to provide a statement saying that you can or can't medically work. You don't need to spend the $ to get your medical records adn send them to Disability, the case worker will do that. You need to just include any information that you have, a calendar with the symptoms listed, dates of all procedures, hospital stays and all Dr.s and labs.

They will then review it. If they approve then you are all set. They did this with my father.

If they deny you, then get a lawyer and file for a reconsideration. This is what we did with my mother. And she was approved at the reconsideration state. The lawyer gets 25% of any back disability payments you recieve - by law they cannot charge more.

If you are denied at the reconsideration stage, then you appeal the decision. The claim will then go to a judge and he will make a decision. You lawyer would accompany you to this hearing.

The biggest thing the claims adjudicators are looking for on the reconsiderations and appeals is consistency. The illness consistently prevents you from doing X, Y and Z and that is why you can't work.

My father's case was approved right away and he got his first payment with in 6 months. This was about 5 years ago. My mothers case was initially denied then approved on reconsideration after we hired a lawyer. She got the approval right before Christmas 2010.

Good Luck

[mom25grls]

I have filed, and am on disability for the last 5-6 years. They would prefer you file w/o an attorney first. You go to their website, fill out the preliminary forms and file. Usually they will send you a letter, to finish answering their questions on the phone (unless you are close to the main state office). You will have to have documentation, or explanation and doctors reports. More than likely you will be refused the first round, THEN you hire a lawyer. It does take a while, but you will be busy during this time. You need to keep track of things, like what DH can do alone, what he misses out out (I used a calender and just noted things that I couldn't do w/ kids, for kids/ like housework, walking through the store, attending kids programs, doc visits, AND how I felt, pain scale 1-10, depressed, time I got up, went to bed, how I slept etc little things you might not think of too!). Then I refiled through the lawyer, and he went with me to the hearing, along with my DH. I was asked questions by the "judge" (can't remember if he was a true judge but I think so) and a physical therapist, and a psychologist. One question I remember in particular was asked me (at this point I was walking with a walker, and about ready to be permanently wheelchair bound) if I could live on my own. My husband said NO. I waited about 6 weeks from then and was approved. They back paid, paying my lawyer first (a fee which is based on what SSI will allow, wasn't lots really) and then to me. I would really try this route, they seem intimidating but it really isnt. Good luck!

[CW&M Mom]

My FIL was on oxygen when he filed and was approved the first time, no attorney needed.

My SIL had a heart defect/heart surgeries and a mild case of CP and was denied 3 times but finally was approved. She didn't get an attorney...but I think it helped her case that she had had the defects from birth and had already had open heart surgery at 19ish.

From what the OP's said...I would get an attorney...in my experience those type of injuries/disabilities are going to be the ones that the government is more apt to fight, but THEIR are some things that the government just puts through rather quickly. Permanent oxygen use tends to be one. Terminal diagnosis tends to be one. They already told my mother she basically won't have to fight to get SSI, they just don't want to have to be accountable with how they spend there money right now, so they are choosing not to do it.

Also some states work really well and get it done well, some states delay it as long as possible. The reason being is that even though SSI comes from the federal government, if you get medicaid a portion of that comes from the state government.

[cybilx10]

Thanks everyone for your help and great information. I spoke with all of his doctors that he has seen over the last 11 years and am in the process of getting all of his records together.
I called the social security office today and they said for me to go online and print out and fill out all of the paperwork and send it back in. I havent printed it off yet, since I see it is well over 100 pages and I am almost out of paper, so it will need to wait until I can get some bought.
I deal with lawyers all the time in my line of work, so I am gonna speak to a few of them and see if they recommend someone specific from our area or if they have any tips for me.

Wish me luck, cause this looks like it is going to be a loooooooonnnnnnnngggggg battle. Hope Im up for it!

[Lev8mysoul]

There are 2 different things. SSI is usually what kids get or very low income people get, while SSDI, which is the full fledged social security disability, is what you would usually get if you've worked for a period of time then became disabled. My now ex husband gets SSDI, and it was a very difficult drawn out process for him. You can go to the Social Security website (google it), there is a complete info area there on disability and applying for it.
Expect it to take time, possibly lots of time, but if your husband's doctors are saying that it's a good idea, then start the process. The ss website will give you info on the documentation you will need and all. SSDI is not totally income based and if he's able to work part time once approved, he can do so, earning up to a certain amount per year without it affecting his benefits. If it's needed, as it sounds it may be, it's worth the time and effort to apply.
OH, the biggest thing... Make sure that where it asks on the paperwork when the disability started, it means when did he become UNABLE TO WORK, not when he started having issues. Many who fill out the paperwork make that mistake, and ALL who do are declined the first time.
Good luck

[rbunnymom]

Here is a site which explains SSI and SSDI pretty good. It may be on the Social Security website - I am not sure. I didn't check there.

Northwest Regional Spinal Cord Injury System