NeueZiel
Seņorita Gamera
Joined: Apr 29, 2012
Posts: 1246
Location: Kapustin Yar
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 Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 4:19 pm Post subject: |
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| soutthpaw wrote: | There really is no way to speed up the process, SSA will move your case to the office that serves your area if you move....
you can apply to your state's Department of Vocational Rehabilitation without being on SSI. The will request medical records, probably send you to their own docs for assessment etc. They have a pretty extensive array of services they provide. I have several friends that are VR counselors so I have a pretty good idea what they do. but again its a slow process so just apply and get the process going. |
Do they really provide money assistance for school or does it vary? I know I'm going to have to wait for awhile but I'd like to know more about that. |
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Ozzer
Blue Jay
Joined: Dec 16, 2011
Age: 28
Posts: 92
Location: Minneapolis, MN
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| Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 4:53 pm Post subject: |
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I am 27. I have ASD, Severe anxiety, Major Depressive Disorder, PTSD, Borderline Personality Disorder, and Fibromyalgia. It took me over 2 years to get on SSDI. I had to appeal multiple times. It finally got to the stage of a hearing. I totally broke down at the hearing. The judge made an on the bench decision (very rare). It was a huge hassle but I am finally on it. I recommend having someone help you with the paperwork.
_________________
"Life was a process of finding out how far you could go, and you could probably go too far in finding out how far you could go."- Terry Pratchett |
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Tuttle
Not a bird, a turtle.
Joined: Mar 27, 2006
Age: 24
Posts: 2592
Location: Massachusetts
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| Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 5:06 pm Post subject: |
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| NeueZiel wrote: | | soutthpaw wrote: | There really is no way to speed up the process, SSA will move your case to the office that serves your area if you move....
you can apply to your state's Department of Vocational Rehabilitation without being on SSI. The will request medical records, probably send you to their own docs for assessment etc. They have a pretty extensive array of services they provide. I have several friends that are VR counselors so I have a pretty good idea what they do. but again its a slow process so just apply and get the process going. |
Do they really provide money assistance for school or does it vary? I know I'm going to have to wait for awhile but I'd like to know more about that. |
When my dad was going to college, he got living expenses covered by vocational rehab. Here, the local groups can work with things like that, while the statewide people don't. I don't understand the difference between the two groups other than that. |
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soutthpaw
Snowy Owl
Joined: May 01, 2012
Age: 42
Posts: 150
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| Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 5:16 pm Post subject: |
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| NeueZiel wrote: | | soutthpaw wrote: | There really is no way to speed up the process, SSA will move your case to the office that serves your area if you move....
you can apply to your state's Department of Vocational Rehabilitation without being on SSI. The will request medical records, probably send you to their own docs for assessment etc. They have a pretty extensive array of services they provide. I have several friends that are VR counselors so I have a pretty good idea what they do. but again its a slow process so just apply and get the process going. |
Do they really provide money assistance for school or does it vary? I know I'm going to have to wait for awhile but I'd like to know more about that. |
A lot depends on the Departments budget and available funds as well as how likely they think you will be able at gaining and keeping meaningful employment.... Yes They will pay tuition, Housing etc is more varied. Disabled student services will then handle your on campus needs. For example as I am Deaf they provide interpreters, notetakers etc. if I need it.. they will also handle extended time for testing or alternative testing environments... |
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2wheels4ever
Just Another Weirdo From L.A.
Joined: May 04, 2012
Age: 41
Posts: 1336
Location: Losing status at the high school
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| Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 7:27 pm Post subject: |
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I've been on it since 19. After 3 years they sent a questionnaire to fill out. Some months later, I received a 'we want you to see a special doctor' letter. The special doctor asks me who the President is, to remember the word 'banana' and what I would do if the house was on fire. Based on my answers, SSI sends me a letter a few weeks later telling me I'm healed. My mom had to help me fight to get back on. Another 3 years goes by, same thing. I was nearly catatonic after a devasting relationship collapse at the time. Old doctor reads my wailings and tells me "vot's de matter vith yew?, YEW can verk!' I wish my meltdowns weren't dormant at that moment, a hospitalization would have been a good bump. Another 3 years go by and I'm briefly homeless, so they skipped me over that time
. Around the next 3-year period my mom had to quit working and signed up for SS. She got denied twice despite showing up to their meetings looped out on opiates and benzos. After the 2nd appeal she got on SSA, and they transferred my status to SSDI, despite my only ever having worked 1.5 summers of JTPA jobs and a week at Taco Bell. Currently, it seems they only want me to visit their special doctor after 7 years instead of 3 now, I just did one last fall and the ruling is I get a reprieve for another year. In 2009, California kept cutting the 'small' check from $250 or so, to $150, to $25, to eventually $0, at which point they tried to yank my Medi-cal. The SS office sent me to DPSS and I was able to keep Medi-cal so I still have Medi-Medi, and while I was there I applied for and received EBT food, at $200/ month. Which is almost as good as it was. Prior to 2009 I was working under the table with the good fortune that it was in one of my aspie interests, when that went along with the SS drama I was nearly at the end of my rope. I was able to build up a solid reputation out on my own, working in my special interest. and having some clients tell me I should charge more. Most of what I bring in gets tied up in supplies and inventory, so I've been caught short a few times so far.
On the last visit to Dr. I let the cat out about feeling down about no revenue calls coming in, his suggestion was to hit up Vocational Rehab. Last time I went to them, they sent me to Goodwill where I could expect to earn minimum wage after doing custodial there for 5 years, or being a custodian at this, that or another place, or going to live in a dormitory for 6 months to learn how to pour concrete and nail drywall, which, in most places anyone wants to live, there is a Home Depot where there are already 30 guys standing around in front who can do all that. I don't know how much is changed, but I'm hoping almost quixotically that they'll have anything remotely near my special interests before I give them another try.
I'd say to think out any way to situate yourself in life with your interests before SSI, and only consider as a last resort. In hindsight I wish I hadn't struggled to deny my condition and waste time and energy trying to fit in and being shut out for my troubles |
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Verdandi
Miss Kitty Fantastico
Joined: Dec 08, 2010
Posts: 10181
Location: University of California Sunnydale (fictional location - Real location Olympia, WA)
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| Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 7:29 pm Post subject: |
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As far as timeline goes, I applied on December ... 27th or 29th, I forget which ... 2010. My first application was rejected. My file for reconsideration was also rejected (as such things usually are). My hearing is in three days, on May 9. So that's a ~16 months and two weeks from application to hearing.
In my case, despite having an advocate supplied by the state and then getting an attorney for my appeal, I've found that people are not actually telling me which impairments are relevant and which impairments are not when trying to explain why I can't work, so I am worried that I will need to have another appeal because I am not sure I am adequately prepared for this hearing.
Apparently, for example, difficulties in self-care are mockable and not relevant. |
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legomyego
Pileated woodpecker
Joined: Apr 01, 2012
Posts: 175
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| Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 7:46 pm Post subject: |
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| Verdandi wrote: | As far as timeline goes, I applied on December ... 27th or 29th, I forget which ... 2010. My first application was rejected. My file for reconsideration was also rejected (as such things usually are). My hearing is in three days, on May 9. So that's a ~16 months and two weeks from application to hearing.
In my case, despite having an advocate supplied by the state and then getting an attorney for my appeal, I've found that people are not actually telling me which impairments are relevant and which impairments are not when trying to explain why I can't work, so I am worried that I will need to have another appeal because I am not sure I am adequately prepared for this hearing.
Apparently, for example, difficulties in self-care are mockable and not relevant. |
=/ hearings don't sound fun...guess i'll just cross my fingers and hope i'll be an acceptance to the denial rule >< |
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NeueZiel
Seņorita Gamera
Joined: Apr 29, 2012
Posts: 1246
Location: Kapustin Yar
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| Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 7:52 pm Post subject: |
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| 2wheels4ever wrote: | I've been on it since 19. After 3 years they sent a questionnaire to fill out. Some months later, I received a 'we want you to see a special doctor' letter. The special doctor asks me who the President is, to remember the word 'banana' and what I would do if the house was on fire. Based on my answers, SSI sends me a letter a few weeks later telling me I'm healed. My mom had to help me fight to get back on. Another 3 years goes by, same thing. I was nearly catatonic after a devasting relationship collapse at the time. Old doctor reads my wailings and tells me "vot's de matter vith yew?, YEW can verk!' I wish my meltdowns weren't dormant at that moment, a hospitalization would have been a good bump. Another 3 years go by and I'm briefly homeless, so they skipped me over that time
. Around the next 3-year period my mom had to quit working and signed up for SS. She got denied twice despite showing up to their meetings looped out on opiates and benzos. After the 2nd appeal she got on SSA, and they transferred my status to SSDI, despite my only ever having worked 1.5 summers of JTPA jobs and a week at Taco Bell. Currently, it seems they only want me to visit their special doctor after 7 years instead of 3 now, I just did one last fall and the ruling is I get a reprieve for another year. In 2009, California kept cutting the 'small' check from $250 or so, to $150, to $25, to eventually $0, at which point they tried to yank my Medi-cal. The SS office sent me to DPSS and I was able to keep Medi-cal so I still have Medi-Medi, and while I was there I applied for and received EBT food, at $200/ month. Which is almost as good as it was. Prior to 2009 I was working under the table with the good fortune that it was in one of my aspie interests, when that went along with the SS drama I was nearly at the end of my rope. I was able to build up a solid reputation out on my own, working in my special interest. and having some clients tell me I should charge more. Most of what I bring in gets tied up in supplies and inventory, so I've been caught short a few times so far.
On the last visit to Dr. I let the cat out about feeling down about no revenue calls coming in, his suggestion was to hit up Vocational Rehab. Last time I went to them, they sent me to Goodwill where I could expect to earn minimum wage after doing custodial there for 5 years, or being a custodian at this, that or another place, or going to live in a dormitory for 6 months to learn how to pour concrete and nail drywall, which, in most places anyone wants to live, there is a Home Depot where there are already 30 guys standing around in front who can do all that. I don't know how much is changed, but I'm hoping almost quixotically that they'll have anything remotely near my special interests before I give them another try.
I'd say to think out any way to situate yourself in life with your interests before SSI, and only consider as a last resort. In hindsight I wish I hadn't struggled to deny my condition and waste time and energy trying to fit in and being shut out for my troubles |
That is a horrible, bone chilling story. Can you tell me your age, when you first got SSI and other factors? |
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Ozzer
Blue Jay
Joined: Dec 16, 2011
Age: 28
Posts: 92
Location: Minneapolis, MN
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| Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 8:05 pm Post subject: |
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| Verdandi wrote: |
In my case, despite having an advocate supplied by the state and then getting an attorney for my appeal, I've found that people are not actually telling me which impairments are relevant and which impairments are not when trying to explain why I can't work, so I am worried that I will need to have another appeal because I am not sure I am adequately prepared for this hearing.
Apparently, for example, difficulties in self-care are mockable and not relevant. |
Try looking at this: http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/AdultListings.htm
It lists all of the different conditions and what is needed to qualify. Hope it helps!
The hearing is a lot easier than it seems. My lawyer told me there was no way I would win with my testimony and that it would be my partner who would win the case. They never ended up needing to talk to him. The stress from the hearing and talking about my issues triggered meltdown.
_________________
"Life was a process of finding out how far you could go, and you could probably go too far in finding out how far you could go."- Terry Pratchett |
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Verdandi
Miss Kitty Fantastico
Joined: Dec 08, 2010
Posts: 10181
Location: University of California Sunnydale (fictional location - Real location Olympia, WA)
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| Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 8:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Ozzer wrote: |
Try looking at this: http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/AdultListings.htm
It lists all of the different conditions and what is needed to qualify. Hope it helps!
The hearing is a lot easier than it seems. My lawyer told me there was no way I would win with my testimony and that it would be my partner who would win the case. They never ended up needing to talk to him. The stress from the hearing and talking about my issues triggered meltdown. |
I've done all the research I can. The problem was with my attorney, who just kept asking me questions and not explaining what he was looking for.
Like he tried to suggest that someone who never answers the door or phone has more serious issues than I do, but when I mentioned I do not answer the door or the phone, he brushed it aside. |
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TheSunAlsoRises
Phoenix
Joined: Dec 02, 2011
Posts: 1039
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| Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 12:53 pm Post subject: |
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| 2wheels4ever wrote: | I've been on it since 19. After 3 years they sent a questionnaire to fill out. Some months later, I received a 'we want you to see a special doctor' letter. The special doctor asks me who the President is, to remember the word 'banana' and what I would do if the house was on fire. Based on my answers, SSI sends me a letter a few weeks later telling me I'm healed. My mom had to help me fight to get back on. Another 3 years goes by, same thing. I was nearly catatonic after a devasting relationship collapse at the time. Old doctor reads my wailings and tells me "vot's de matter vith yew?, YEW can verk!' I wish my meltdowns weren't dormant at that moment, a hospitalization would have been a good bump. Another 3 years go by and I'm briefly homeless, so they skipped me over that time
. Around the next 3-year period my mom had to quit working and signed up for SS. She got denied twice despite showing up to their meetings looped out on opiates and benzos. After the 2nd appeal she got on SSA, and they transferred my status to SSDI, despite my only ever having worked 1.5 summers of JTPA jobs and a week at Taco Bell. Currently, it seems they only want me to visit their special doctor after 7 years instead of 3 now, I just did one last fall and the ruling is I get a reprieve for another year. In 2009, California kept cutting the 'small' check from $250 or so, to $150, to $25, to eventually $0, at which point they tried to yank my Medi-cal. The SS office sent me to DPSS and I was able to keep Medi-cal so I still have Medi-Medi, and while I was there I applied for and received EBT food, at $200/ month. Which is almost as good as it was. Prior to 2009 I was working under the table with the good fortune that it was in one of my aspie interests, when that went along with the SS drama I was nearly at the end of my rope. I was able to build up a solid reputation out on my own, working in my special interest. and having some clients tell me I should charge more. Most of what I bring in gets tied up in supplies and inventory, so I've been caught short a few times so far.
On the last visit to Dr. I let the cat out about feeling down about no revenue calls coming in, his suggestion was to hit up Vocational Rehab. Last time I went to them, they sent me to Goodwill where I could expect to earn minimum wage after doing custodial there for 5 years, or being a custodian at this, that or another place, or going to live in a dormitory for 6 months to learn how to pour concrete and nail drywall, which, in most places anyone wants to live, there is a Home Depot where there are already 30 guys standing around in front who can do all that. I don't know how much is changed, but I'm hoping almost quixotically that they'll have anything remotely near my special interests before I give them another try.
I'd say to think out any way to situate yourself in life with your interests before SSI, and only consider as a last resort. In hindsight I wish I hadn't struggled to deny my condition and waste time and energy trying to fit in and being shut out for my troubles |
The special doctor asks me who the President is ?
my answer: Elvis Presley. * At which point, i state THAT i am going to start singing the National Anthem. I begin to sing a Hunk of Burning Love by Elvis.
to remember the word 'banana' ?
my answer: Sir, I am NOT a gang member how dare you ask me to remember the word BANDANA.
and what I would do if the house was on fire?
my answer: Take some sleeping pills; i wouldn't want the fire to wake me up. Boogety Boogety Booooooo. The cat in the hat is YOUUUU.
TheSunAlsoRises |
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hanyo
Phoenix
Joined: Oct 01, 2011
Posts: 3446
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| Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 1:02 pm Post subject: |
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| 2wheels4ever wrote: | | The special doctor asks me who the President is, to remember the word 'banana' and what I would do if the house was on fire. |
Aren't those more like questions you would ask someone with amnesia or that just came out of a coma? |
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legomyego
Pileated woodpecker
Joined: Apr 01, 2012
Posts: 175
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| Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 9:12 pm Post subject: |
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| strange questions indeed, had my phone interview and i am not sure how it went really....seems like they only asked about information they already had or I had given them permission to get. At the end of the phone call i was told it could be 120 days before any decision was reached. The interview was very depressing, and I am just left to wonder what was actually written down, how long this will take, and how could such an interview help in any way. The interviewer seemed like he didn't even understand what i was saying half the time i had to repeat each diagnosis over as if he had never heard of them. =/ |
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2wheels4ever
Just Another Weirdo From L.A.
Joined: May 04, 2012
Age: 41
Posts: 1336
Location: Losing status at the high school
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| Posted: Wed May 09, 2012 1:24 am Post subject: |
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| legomyego wrote: | | strange questions indeed, had my phone interview and i am not sure how it went really....seems like they only asked about information they already had or I had given them permission to get. At the end of the phone call i was told it could be 120 days before any decision was reached. The interview was very depressing, and I am just left to wonder what was actually written down, how long this will take, and how could such an interview help in any way. The interviewer seemed like he didn't even understand what i was saying half the time i had to repeat each diagnosis over as if he had never heard of them. =/ |
If you google 'consultative exam' you will find that you are not that far off base; much like my experience I described and with what'll you'll read from search results, in fact they write very little down at all! Most of these doctors are sub's either from a talent pool or not yet established, or hanging onto their medical license by a thread. My last scheduled walk-in I had to re-read the SS letter 3 times and google the address, they set up that week's batch of 'interviews' in a room they rented from a chiropractor's office.
They don't officially diagnose and can't prescribe or give referrals, even if they are familiar with the spectrum. My guy looked as if he hadn't practiced since 1986 and was barely hip to ADHD, he had to look up my generic Adderall in his PDR
Good fortune to you on this; I'm about to begin the search for a good doctor beyond the walls of the local cattle clinic, but if any are taking new Medi-cal patients, it is a well-guarded secret |
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Rascal77s
Picnic Basket Thief
Joined: Nov 13, 2011
Posts: 2337
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| Posted: Wed May 09, 2012 3:17 pm Post subject: |
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I just want to say that not all of their psychologists/doctors are alike. The one I was assigned was VERY good at her trade and it wasn't until after the fact that I realized how good she was. I felt she understood my problems better after 2 hours than my therapist who I had been seeing for 6 months. She did a very thorough assessment and it was very strongly in my favor (I still got denied).
I filed my reconsideration about 2 months ago. Anyone know how long the reconsideration takes? I don't really want to go in front of a judge but when you get turned down after SSA's psychologist tells them you can't work it's probably headed to court. |
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