I'm very happy to see this new forum on the message boards. :) Over the several years that I have been a member of these boards, I've seen many battle their way through the process of filing for, being denied, appealing, and getting a hearing for Social Security Disability, as well as private insurance disability. It can be a terribly frustrating process, and it takes a great deal of tenacity to continue the process, so sharing these experiences with each other, as well as strategies and the basic processes that a claim takes can be immensely helpful to others just beginning this very long journey. I'll be happy to share my own personal story with anyone who may find it helpful, and I'd be happy to try to answer any questions that I can. I'm sure the many other members who are experienced with these processes will be along to share their knowledge as well.
I was terminated from my job of 8 years in local government employment after a very frustrating and stressful period of about 2 years of fighting it. Psoriasis was just one small part of a number of health issues that I have. During that period I was out on FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) for about 3 months, and I also requested certain accommodations to my job under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). My employer very carefully documented their supposed attempts at accommodation in a way that made it very difficult to appeal. When I was terminated, I filed an appeal with the Labor Board under the ADA. I went to mediation with my former employer, and after going through all the documentation was advised that my case was probably 50/50 at best, and would take 3 years to get to court, so my best option would be to accept a settlement and apply for LTD (Long Term Disability) through my employer's plan, which would pay approximately 80% of my ending salary. Under the advice of my attorney, I accepted this settlement, and both he and my former employer felt that I should have no problem qualifying for this. Unfortunately, I did, and after appealing and losing my claim, I was forced to apply for Social Security Disability (SSD).
My SSD claim was initially filed about 2 years ago, and since that time I have been denied, appealed, denied a second time, and have now retained a law firm to continue with me to requesting a hearing. As you can see, this is a long process, and it really helps to talk to others who have gone down the same path since this is a very common experience. I expect my hearing to finally be set some time in the next 6 months, and I'm cautiously optimistic that I will win.
I'm sure there are many others out there who have been through similar experiences, and I hope they will share their stories as well. It's my hope that those of us who have gone through the process can help others who may be just beginning it and have many questions. I'm not always on here as frequently as I used to be, but if you send me a PM, I'll be happy to try to answer any questions that I can.
Thank you very much to the Moderators who have decided this forum would be helpful. :)

Kimbercat, I wish a faster approval for you in the near future. I understand the
difficulty with all of the paperwork and delays. Everything is slow, and it feels like the application is lost in space. I used IHurt's suggestion when I had to go on FMLA and called my Senator. My application was approved in 30 days after I contacted her. Total waiting time with full support of my supervisor, employer and physicians was 9 months. FMLA is better than nothing; but not many people can live on leave without pay; and pay expensive co-pays for their medications and moisturizers.
It is high time that the disability review process speeds up. People can't live on $0 income.
Ann

I am going through this process now, short bio, 54 male,BK amputee, 20 yrs of p, and pa started in September, am on Humira, worked for local school district, am on leave , have filed for ss with law firm , this whole thing is a nightmare what are ada requirements of employer if i can get back to work?? i do maintenance, i am on ltd it will last 3yrs 6months lawyer advises me to not try and return with out a sit down job, i feel employer wants me out. any answers would be helpful. Thanks a Bunch!!! Blueshound, Vancouver is my hometown also.

I am going through this process now, short bio, 54 male,BK amputee, 20 yrs of p, and pa started in September, am on Humira, worked for local school district, am on leave , have filed for ss with law firm , this whole thing is a nightmare what are ada requirements of employer if i can get back to work?? i do maintenance, i am on ltd it will last 3yrs 6months lawyer advises me to not try and return with out a sit down job, i feel employer wants me out. any answers would be helpful. Thanks a Bunch!!! Blueshound, Vancouver is my hometown also.
Hi and welcome, Blueshound. :)
Sorry I haven't been around to read much here recently, and I just saw your post. I'm about to fall asleep on my keyboard, so I'll try to offer any suggestions I can when I'm a bit more coherent. Is your hometown Vancouver, USA, or Vancouver, Canada? I need to update this thread as I am now finally scheduled for a hearing in September!!...HOORAY!!!

That would be Vancouver U.S.A.

That would be Vancouver U.S.A.
Howdy, neighbor! :) I'll be in touch via pm.

Hi All. Update, i am going to see two doctors for my ssd claim, one physical exam , one mental, any body went through these,Whats it like? Thanks Blueshound

Hi All. Update, i am going to see two doctors for my ssd claim, one physical exam , one mental, any body went through these,Whats it like? Thanks Blueshound
Check out my post , I just went to both Drs. medical and mental health , both Drs. were great !!

Hello again, Blueshound :)
I just had my SSD hearing today, so it's coincidental that I happenned to check in on this thread. I believe that it's pretty standard practice for Social Security to see at least one of their doctors. Back about a year or so ago, I was sent by SSD to see a psychiatrist. I understand that this is the usual procedure if there is any mention of depression or anxiety noted in your application and records.
Since one of my issues is memory :rolleyes: , I don't recall exactly how the exam went, but it was basically a series of questions going over how my disability has affected me, what sort of things I'm no longer able to do that I could do before (things like housework, hobbies, shopping, etc.) It was a fairly brief interview. Some of the questions they ask are set up so that how you word your answers is very important. It's important to focus on what you cannot do, rather than what you can do. Otherwise the responses you give can become somewhat twisted in SSD's favor.
I was just thinking about you the other day when I was going through old emails and came across your name, and wondered how you were doing. If you'd like to either talk on the phone, or possibly meet for coffee or something, drop me a pm or an email, and I'd be happy to set something up with you. Hang in there, and try to be patient through this lengthy and often frustrating process.