http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/index.html

Click here: SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY SECRETS: SSD SSI TIPS ADVICE TO WIN
BENEFITS WHEN YOU APPLY & APPEAL FOR SSDI (SSA LAWY
Some of you may have need for this.
Juanita

Thanks Juanita,
That's good information to have on hand for those who need to go this route.
Karen :)

Thanks for the link. It took the mystery out of the process. When I read it, I wept. This process is egregiously bureaucratic and unfair. You have to quit working and have very little earned income before you can apply.
I've read other threads about people losing their employment after exhausting all saved sick leave and vacation leave. Employers are only required to give us the leave they provide as a benefit, plus the 12 weeks of unpaid Family Medical Act Leave, and then legally,they can fire us for being absent from work without leave. Then the health insurance is gone. We have to take risky immunosuppresive medications that leave us susceptible to severe flu and colds (and damage to other organs); we can't get a flu vaccine, and one illness such as a bad case of the flu, coupled with the days that the skin is so flared we can't work, can easily wipe out our allowable days off.
I'm so disgusted.
Ann

I've been researching my employer's qualifications for disability. I could qualify. Under OPM guidelines, a disease that interferes with attendance is a qualification for disability. The instructions say that if you are out on paid sick leave when you apply for SSDI, they will of course turn you down because your income for the month is too high. My employer then requires reapplication once they have approved disability. Then Social Security cannot automatically disqualify a person because only disability income is received.
The whole process is so unbelievable. I was reading this and thinking 'what if I broke my neck tomorrow or went blind?' How on earth could a person survive while navigating application for disability???
My lawyer advised me to sell my house and purchase a very small home now while I have full income. Then, if my income falls while waiting for disability income to be approved, I can rent it out and live with someone until my disability pension income comes in. That way he said I could meet my health care and food costs, and chip in on utilities, etc. and survive.
Six months ago, before P, I never dreamed I would lose my home. I can't believe this is happening. Hopefully, my dermatologist can get my psoriasis controlled and I can make it to minimum retirement age and a reduced, but normal retirement that doesn't require medical records and physician statements to qualify.
Ann

Ann,
Do you also have PA or just P? I can't remember from your previous posts. I was just approved for disability from OPM in February. I have not worked since mid-Oct. and had already exhausted all leave from a previous six month period off.
And as OPM requires, I also applied for SSDI. The process for both of these are very time consuming, draining and depressing, especially when you are battling fatigue, brain fog and pain.
Today, I went online to check the status of my SSDI application and it said "a decision has been made" ! :D But it doesn't tell me what it is. :( I have to wait for the decision to arrive in the mail. I so HOPE it is an approval even though I know the odds are not in my favor. I really dread the possibility of getting an attorney and going through an appeal. Although, I am encouraged that OPM only took 3 weeks to decide in my favor after they received my paperwork (which is highly unusual). They must have felt I had a strong case.
If you decide to go this route, I definetly recommend having some money put back. I had some, but not enough. We had to borrow and also ran up several credit cards just for everyday expenses. I had thought I was going to be able to work longer than I did, but went downhill pretty quick.
If you have any questions re:OPM or SSDI, feel free to PM me. Everyone keep their fingers crossed on my SSDI results! ;)
Vicki

Vicki,
I only have erythrodermic and generalized pustular psoriasis at this time. I do not have psoriatic arthritis, yet. I have been saving as much as I can and I am using my leave so carefully. When I spontaneously combust, I just can't work. I'm on fire. Right now my pain and itch are under control but I'm still e-dermic. My worry is that if I'm temporarily in a remission state for a few months, I'll get tossed off of disability and lose my health insurance.
I would love to ask more questions and will private mail these to you. Thanks for helping me with this difficult process.
Ann

Can someone please explain what OPM is? This is all great information for me, since I'm appealing a denial of my long term disability (LTD), in the process of applying for SSD, and also applying for medical insurance through the state of WA for low income folks that sounds just too good to be true. Thanks for all the tips, and I'll try to add anything that I learn along the line.

Can someone please explain what OPM is? This is all great information for me, since I'm appealing a denial of my long term disability (LTD), in the process of applying for SSD, and also applying for medical insurance through the state of WA for low income folks that sounds just too good to be true. Thanks for all the tips, and I'll try to add anything that I learn along the line.
Hi Kim,
I met Vicki at the last Chicago get together so I know that she's a Federal employee. OPM = Office of Personnel Management, which is the Federal government's Human Resources Agency. Here's a link: http://www.opm.gov/.
Mike

Kim,
If you Google OPM Disability Retirement, you'll find some personnel department rule books regarding disability. Even if you don't work for the federal government, it has some good information about applying for SSDI; and the instructions in the SF3112 package provide some language that can assist in wording your retirement application.
I looked at it again last night, and I have not asked for a liberal leave without pay policy to accomodate my illness. I need to do that. That way, my employer could not fire me for exhausting all leave and FMLA; if they choose to accomodate me in that way. From what I have been reading, my employer has to explain the impact of my absence on my agency's work operations. It seems to me that they will have to explain why they allow 1 year of leave without pay to pursue higher education relating to the job; or leave without pay for materni
ty purposes; and how those don't interfere with their operations, yet my absence of maybe 1 week to 1 1/2 weeks per month does. (If I'm only absent for psoriasis flares, I could survive with my allowed leave plus the 12 weeks of leave without pay. It only becomes a problem if I catch the flu or get complications from these incredibly powerful medications that I take.)
The federal agency's Coordinator for Employment of the Handicapped has to determine if reasonable accomodation will enable me to perform fully successful service. Well, my agency allows 1/2 time positions for mom's with children under the age of 6 for my job. So, I don't know why they can't accomodate my absences as well.
My rights have not been explained to me, and I have had to scurry around and research this week. Next step is to read the guidance for reasonable accomodations in 29 CFR 1614.203(c) and call an EEO counselor to guide me through it.
Under the NPF tab for advocacy, they advise us not to wait. As Vicki said, we think we'll be able to hang on longer, and then we decline quickly. I want to have all the paperwork ready just in case.
Good luck on your appeal for disability. I'm so glad the state of Washington offers a health insurance plan for eligible applicants. Get a lawyer for the SSDI claim. According to the first link in this thread, the lawyer is entitled to 25% of your back pay from SSDI, not to exceed around $5,000. You don't have to pay them up front.
Ann

I just Googled 'Reasonable Accomodation 29 CFR 1614.203(c)'. Skin disease is a condition that falls under the rules. Reasonable accomodation includes adjusting the work hours unless the agency can show that it will impair its operations. Hallelujiah for EEO laws! Now I just have to find out how to apply for and get written confirmation from my employer that they will do so. According to this regulation, the federal government will be a model employer for accomodating people with disabilities. So, I'll ask them to be just that.

Thanks Mike for answering Kim's question about OPM. :rolleyes: I didn't get back online last night.
For anyone considering or in the process of applying for SSDI (social security disability insurance) here is another good website with tons of information and links (you could spends hours here-believe me-I know). :p
Social Security Disabilty Coalition
One piece of advice I did pick up on this site, if you are looking to get an attorney to help with SSDI, stay on top of the process. Because attorneys only receive a portion of your award or backpay, it is to his or her advantage for your case to drag out as long as possible. The longer it takes - the bigger the award. So don't just assume that your attorney is doing everything possible to help you or is pushing things along. May not be the case. :(
Kim-Good luck with your appeal for LTD. Is that through your employer or something the state offers?
Vicki

"Because attorneys only receive a portion of your award or backpay, it is to his or her advantage for your case to drag out as long as possible. The longer it takes - the bigger the award. "
I recieved no back pay when I was approved for SSDI. They allowed three months for processeing and I recieved my first check two months after approval. 5 months total.
For those who believe that this is an income you can live on, ......It's not. If you have a partner who is working you can make it, but without assistance for food, medical, housing and utilities. It is nearly impossible to survive on SSDI. You aren't eligible for medicare automatically either. I was on SSDI for two full years before qualifying for Medicare.
Margaret

Margaret,
I am encouraged to read that SSDI approved your application within 5 months. I agree it is only enough to supplement living costs. It helps though, with the prescriptions and doctor visit expenses. I've paid in for 27 years, and if my dermatologist cannot get my P under control, and if one of those terrible side effects from the medications occurs, then I'm going to need it.
Update on this issue. I called my supervisor this a.m. and explained that I qualified as handicapped under the Federal EEO regulations, and asked her how the agency could accomodate my disability. I suggested the liberal leave without pay policy. She is going to inquire about how to go this route and agrees that the time to do it is before I get into a leave of absence problem. I think I'll need a letter from the NPF and my physician. Seems to me that anyone who works for an EEO employer can avail themselves of this provision in the law. At least then, we can't be fired for sick days and can keep our health insurance. Lunch time is over so its back to work!
Ann

Margaret,
I am encouraged to read that SSDI approved your application within 5 months. I agree it is only enough to supplement living costs. It helps though, with the prescriptions and doctor visit expenses. I've paid in for 27 years, and if my dermatologist cannot get my P under control, and if one of those terrible side effects from the medications occurs, then I'm going to need it.
Update on this issue. I called my supervisor this a.m. and explained that I qualified as handicapped under the Federal EEO regulations, and asked her how the agency could accomodate my disability. I suggested the liberal leave without pay policy. She is going to inquire about how to go this route and agrees that the time to do it is before I get into a leave of absence problem. I think I'll need a letter from the NPF and my physician. Seems to me that anyone who works for an EEO employer can avail themselves of this provision in the law. At least then, we can't be fired for sick days and can keep our health insurance. Lunch time is over so its back to work!
Ann
Don't get too excited yet, Ann. I don't want to burst your bubble, but I fought my termination from my city government of 8 years which was due to my excessive absences, and I didn't really get anywhere. They settled for just enough to cover my COBRA payments for 2 months, and that was it. Most employers have a great deal of legal advice as to how to handle terminating someone, and they can make it look like they've gone through all the proper motions, making it very difficult to prove that they were not abiding by the EEOC and FMLA laws. Had I decided to pursue it, I was told it would be a minimum of 2 years before it got to court, and I would lose my opportunity to apply for long term disability (which has been denied, but I am appealing.)
I hope others in similar situations do better than I did, and don't give up. I plan to keep fighting until there's nowhere left to go.

Margaret,
It sounds like you were approved the first time around and within 5 months, in which case there would not be any back pay. SSDI does not pay anything for the first 5 months after you are out of work and receiving no pay. This is why many attorneys will not take a disability case until it is been denied at least once and is at the appeal stages. Many people have cases that have gone on for 2-3 years and when finally approved, receive back pay to the original disability date (minus the 5 month waiting period). And you're right... it's not much to live on. :( But, I'm still glad it's there for those of us who, unfortunately, need it.
Kim-keep on fighting. I know it must be stressful, but hopefully something will come through for you soon.
I did not receive anything in the mail today from Soc Sec. in regard to my claim, BUT I still may have good news. I was checking my bank account online and there was a deposit from US Treas. Soc Sec on 4/5! :confused: Now, my disability from OPM also comes from US Treas but it says Civ Ser and it came on the 31st. Has anyone heard of the money hitting the bank before the award letter arrived? I'm almost afraid to hope that's what it is. :D That would mean SS only took 3 months to approve my application! :cool:
Decided I'm not touching the money till I get the letter confirming what it is. Besides, OPM reduces my disability retirement by 100% of what Soc Sec pays me anyway, so I'll probably have to pay some money back to OPM. :( But at least I'm on the way for the 2 year wait for Medicare. :)
Vicki

Vicki, Congratulations!!! I don't think Social Security sends money for any reason unless they just have to, so it looks like you were successful. That is so encouraging. I am so happy for you.
Kim,
I am disgusted that your employer did that. I hear you. There are some who don't want to comply with the EEO laws and it is just about impossible to fight discrimination in the workplace. Very hard to prove. However, your employer told you that the disease caused absences that were unacceptable, and that should be strong evidence that you are disabled. It sounds like your employer is taking opposing positions. They terminated your employment because of your disability, and they are denying you disability benefits stating that you are not disabled. What the heck???
In the OPM Form 3112 package, Form 3112D is the Agency Certification of Reassignment and Accommodation Efforts. It states "The Coordinator for Employment of the Handicapped should review.... to determine if reasonable accomodation will enable the employee to perform fully successful service in his or her current position...
Depending on the type of work that one does, it might be possible to accomodate a 25% or more absentee rate. If my agency determines that they cannot, then I had to go through this step anyway to put the package together. So it gets the disability process moving forward by first requesting that I be considered a handicapped employee on my official personnel file.
Going through the paperwork right now to get handicapped status affords me the protections provided under federal regulations for employment of handicapped people. What bothers me is that I had to find this out on a Google search. Nobody tells us our rights until it is too late.
Ann

Vicki, Congratulations!!! I don't think Social Security sends money for any reason unless they just have to, so it looks like you were successful. That is so encouraging. I am so happy for you.
Kim,
I am disgusted that your employer did that. I hear you. There are some who don't want to comply with the EEO laws and it is just about impossible to fight discrimination in the workplace. Very hard to prove. However, your employer told you that the disease caused absences that were unacceptable, and that should be strong evidence that you are disabled. It sounds like your employer is taking opposing positions. They terminated your employment because of your disability, and they are denying you disability benefits stating that you are not disabled. What the heck???
In the OPM Form 3112 package, Form 3112D is the Agency Certification of Reassignment and Accommodation Efforts. It states "The Coordinator for Employment of the Handicapped should review.... to determine if reasonable accomodation will enable the employee to perform fully successful service in his or her current position...
Depending on the type of work that one does, it might be possible to accomodate a 25% or more absentee rate. If my agency determines that they cannot, then I had to go through this step anyway to put the package together. So it gets the disability process moving forward by first requesting that I be considered a handicapped employee on my official personnel file.
Going through the paperwork right now to get handicapped status affords me the protections provided under federal regulations for employment of handicapped people. What bothers me is that I had to find this out on a Google search. Nobody tells us our rights until it is too late.
Ann
Unfortunately, "reasonable accommodation" is a very vague term and a real gray area that can benefit the employer. They listed several so-called accommodations that they offered me that were not valid, and not what I asked for, but it made them appear to be the good guys trying to work with me. By the time it was over and they terminated me, I was happy to be leaving. I just wish that they had been forced to pay the price that I had to pay. The only silver lining is that shortly after I left, my immediate supervisor (who was the main problem) was transferred to another position after over 20 years in his position as supervisor. He was put in a position where he will no longer be supervising employees.
Believe me, I researched FMLA and EEOC upside down and backwards looking for an answer, but even with an attorney's help, the settlement was the best I could do. But I still haven't given up the fight for the long term disability. I'm doing everything in my power to get that denial reversed.

Glad to hear that your supervisor now manages paper instead of people. Interesting that SSDI has a ticket to work program, encouraging those on disability to try to return to work, and yet the laws are not strengthened to protect the disabled for absences due to illness. I agree the reasonable accommodation rules are so subjective, and the employee is very vulnerable.
I don't know if testimonial letters from others with severe psoriasis who also have frequent, unpredictable flares would help your case. If it will, I'll gladly write a letter and send it to you. Perhaps if the review board heard from many people who are suffering like you, they would realize just what you are trying to live with.
Ann

Glad to hear that your supervisor now manages paper instead of people. Interesting that SSDI has a ticket to work program, encouraging those on disability to try to return to work, and yet the laws are not strengthened to protect the disabled for absences due to illness. I agree the reasonable accommodation rules are so subjective, and the employee is very vulnerable.
I don't know if testimonial letters from others with severe psoriasis who also have frequent, unpredictable flares would help your case. If it will, I'll gladly write a letter and send it to you. Perhaps if the review board heard from many people who are suffering like you, they would realize just what you are trying to live with.
Ann
Thanks for the generous offer, but my major medical problem is my back, which I'm told is not pa, but I have my doubts. :rolleyes: Some of my absences were from when I was flaring badly with p, but I'm very fortunate to have it well under control currently with Humira.

Kim,
I am glad you are keeping it in the medical review stage to argue that PA has caused you disabling back pain. I would still argue that although Humira has controlled your psoriasis flares "at this time"; one only has to read the posts on this forum to know that a medication can work for 1 to 2 years and then it stops working and your psoriasis will again cause you to have uncertain work attendance problems until the dermatologist can find another medication that might work for awhile.
I shared many of the personal stories on this forum with my supervisor. I think that helped considerably. I showed her Cordiod's "Waxing and Waning of my Psoriasis" photos, and what happens when you get ill and have to go off of the medications. Pictures are worth a thousand words. Thanks Diana.
My supervisor now realizes that this is the way things will be for the rest of my life. I'll get controlled and be able to work normally; and then things will change and I'll have trouble again until the doctors patch me up; and the cycle will repeat itself. She understands that I still want to remain employed and work whenever I can. So she is going to present my case next week to higher levels of management and we'll see what they say.
Gosh, you hung in there as long as you possibly could at your job. I'm looking at the Rehabilitation Act (29 CFR Section 1614.203); and with your back pain and psoriasis, it sure seems that you qualify as an individual with a handicap.
There are two more legal citations in these regulations which I need to review. Entitlement to disability under 5 USC 8337 and 5 USC 8451.
I'm glad there is a discussion of the details of this process on the forum. When the next person who becomes afflicted with severe psoriasis joins and
searches disability, perhaps this thread will have some summary advice about the whole process as we learn how to get through this maze.
Ann