Aaaarrrgh!!!! Newest saga in my disability nightmare.

HOPEFULLY, I'll be receiving a check, dragon!

I'm beginning to think that they're just jerking my chain and they're NEVER going to give me a penny! Nah, I think it's finally going to be happening, eventually. I can't help but wonder what the next thing will be to hold my money back. This has been an unbelievably insane journey!

At least, dealing with the local Social Security people here in Winchester is SO much easier than it was in Baltimore! There's a definite reason why the people there are called 'Baltimorons'. In Virginia, here, people seem to care much more about others.

Still, we're talking about our government and they are never easy to deal with. The thing I got the biggest kick about was them announcing their "Paper Reduction Act". I'd love to know which piece of paper was reduced because it certainly couldn't have been more than one.

You said that right, mimpi! Moving a file from one table to the next must be a daunting task for government workers! Okay, I shouldn't group them all together like that. Maybe I should say "MOST" government workers.

I knew a gal who quit working for Social Security because her co-workers were black-balling her because she actually worked. She said they had what she called "the Social Security Shuffle" that entailed moving at no more than a snail's pace. They wouldn't have liked me working there, that's for sure!

I actually told the judge, right after being told that I could work during my first hearing (I've had two), that, since they deemed me fit to work "gainful employment" that the Social Security Administration should hire me. Let them eat their words! Of course, they wouldn't hire me.

This has been an insane journey and I'm almost afraid to hope that it's finally being resolved. I won't believe it until that check is in my hands!

How sad it is to note that the very presence of modern technology like computers and internet in America has this kind of snail pace in processing the disability benefits for its citizens. Wow! I could imagine your disappointment. In my country, when you file/claim for a disability benefits, within 30 days you will receive a letter of approval informing that they (social security) have approved and will deposit the 3 months pension in my preferred bank account and the rest of the pension will be send on a monthly basis until the approved duration of disability will be completed. I hope your pension will arrive soon.

Wow, Olepmis! Maybe I should move to your country! I've been thinking that I'll die of old age before I ever receive my disability benefits.

My case isn't the longest case I've heard about here, either. I heard one story that took 10 years to approve! That is absolute insanity. When we are disabled, we cannot normally wait to receive help. Even 30 days seems like a long time when we need help but it's nothing compared to years! Our "great and mighty" USA is not all that great and certainly not mighty when it comes to helping it's citizens! What I'm so angry about is that I've earned these disability benefits. I worked for almost 40 years and paid Social Security for the time when I would need help and here they are giving me such a hard time about giving me my own money!

Believe me, I've thought more than once about moving to a different country. I'll probably stick around for awhile now, though, since my benefits should be starting (relatively) soon. I'd hate to give that up after fighting over 7 years for it!

Hi thea. Yeah, it's all hush-hush. I won't tell hubby about it coming, whenever it does. It's my money, so there's no reason why he should even know about it coming. He's always said that my money is my money and his money is our money, but reality is something a bit different than his words.

I think I might faint dead away when this check does come. I applied for disability in August 2002, although I was unable to work full-time since April 2000. I can't believe it's been almost 10 years since I've been able to work! I miss working. I loved my job as a proofreader. I always thought that I was cheating the company I worked for by collecting a paycheck for something I loved doing so much. The work seemed so easy for so much pay! Of course, I'd never have told them that! LOL

Now, if I can just hold it together until I have that check! The frustration of dealing with our government alone is enough to qualify me for disability!

So maybe I should move to Greece? You know, I've wanted to visit the ruins there since I was in school. I've always had a fascination in archeology. I remember going to a Greek restaurant here many moons ago and speaking with the owner about visiting Greece. He said I shouldn't go at that time because of some kind of civil upheaval. I can't remember what was going on then or if it's still going on. I just have a fascination with history and touching something that was used thousands of years ago. We don't have anything that old here in the U.S., unless we're talking about rocks.

Well it could have been any number of civil upheavels he was referring to but there aren't any now but Athens is best avoided in dustbin throwing season. You wouldn't like the beurocracy though. My friend the avatar used to work in Canada now I think of it, that must be where he learnt to swear in English.

Well I hope you take the money and leave, unless your plans have changed. It could give you a fresh new start. So good luck if you plan to do that with it.

Hi Lori. I've been going to our mailbox every day to check the mail before my husband gets to it, just in case. I won't let him know when it comes.

He just told me that our mortgage is under control. They've tacked what is in arrears onto the end of the mortgage period, so he's paying the normal payments now and everything is caught up. So, that's good. He won't be waiting impatiently for my check to come. Still, I won't tell him when it does.

I hope you're right about when I'll get this check. I was told that, because it is such a large check, it needs two signatures. They told me they could see it in the system, just sitting there waiting for the second signature. Can you believe that is the only thing holding this up??? Good grief.

I have to say that I WAS feeling better but, today, I guess I'm having a slight setback. My head feels like it weighs about 100 pounds. It's probably just this crazy weather that can't make up it's mind. One day, the highs are in the 40's, then the next day they are in the 70's! It's also been raining a bit every day for about a week and my sinuses are protesting. It's supposed to be nice tomorrow, though, highs in the low 70's and sunshine, so maybe I'll get outside some. That always makes me feel better.

Good luck with your move! I'm so excited for you and can't wait until next April to visit you guys and play with the horses. I love horses!

Hi Marti! That is so good that you have it planned the way you do.. & it'sgreat he'sgot the payments caught up,that way you can stay where your at for the time being.I worry about you so.
Please take care of yourself, don'tneed you in the hospital,especially at this time of your life! Take it easy, rest a lot & try & get over this 'thing ' you have befor venturing too far outside,, But the sunshine will do you good..
I'm going to get to meet you in April? That is soooooo awesome, i can hardly wait for that to happen! Your like my bestest friend on the internet, i love you so much,you are such a sweetheart...feel better sweetie,& gain i am sooo excited for you,you deserve every cent your getting,it's been along hard battle,but you can finally see th light at the end of the tunnel...XXXXXfriends for life..lori

You bet your boots we're going to meet in April! We've gotta celebrate our birthdays together, since they're only 2 days apart. I think that's so cool!

I've wanted to do some traveling for awhile now but could only dream about it happening. Soon, I'll be able to. I've always loved to travel, although I've never traveled very far from home. I drove to Columbus, Indiana once (took my son to meet a friend who lived there), and also to Beaufort, South Carolina just to see how far south I could go in one day. I've been to the Caribbean and most mid- and upper-east coast states and as far west as Oklahoma. I'd love to see California and Hawaii one of these days and also travel abroad. I have to watch it, though, because I don't want to be spending all this money on traveling! It's just that there are some places that I really want to see because I want to meet people who are very special to me. You are one of the nicest people I've met here and I consider you my bestest friend, too. So, of course we have to celebrate our birthdays together!

Oh, because of the delay in getting to the post office, I've got another package for you. The longer it's taking, the more craft stuff I'm finding to send you. I'll be going tomorrow because I feel much better now. So, two packages are coming your way, plus there should be even more as I continue going through my stuff. Geez, it's amazing what a person can accumulate over time! When you've had enough craft stuff coming your way, just tell me to stop and I will.

I just wrote a huge response to u & it disapeared.. anyway thank you for everything, cannot wait to meet you in person & celebrate our birthdays together & you'll get to meet Rex too!!Love you sweetie, Lori

Marti,
First of all, I hope you don't forget Florida in your travels. Have you considered taking the train? I just love the train. Get your own bedroom and they wait on you hand and foot.
Ok girls, when is your birthdays?
Marti, what is wrong with you you? Something new?

Lori,
Did they ever find out if you have Lupus or not? The Rheumatologist said I didn't have Lupus but I have 2 enlarged lymph nodes in my chest. Not knowing why, he sent me back to my Pulmonologist who is going to do another CT Scan himself to see if he can tell. Then he may have to do a biopsy. So hopefully in the next 2 weeks I'll know how serious it might be.

Marti, I hope your wait is about to end. Good luck sweetness.

Hry leenie, mine is April 12, & Marti'sis 2 days from mine..hehe.. they never found what was wrong with me.. My feet are still swollen, but all bloodwork, etc has come back negative,so she is thinking i may be allergic to gypsum sand... If i am i just have to stay away from it.. yeah right, good luck in NM. it is everywhere...Lori

I really feel for you! It's frustrating enough when we're fighting for ourselves but, when we have to fight for our children, it's horrible! I had to fight for my youngest son. His pediatrician thought he had ADHD. His school said he didn't. They refused to place him in special ed or give him a modified education. I had to take him to the Kennedy Krieger Institute, part of Johns Hopkins Hospital, to have him tested at a cost of $2,000.00 to me before the school would do anything for him. (He did have ADHD, according to Kennedy Krieger.)

I can't wait to get Medicare (NOT!). It seems so confusing, with all those "parts" (Part A, Part B, Part C, Part D). I'll have to get supplemental insurance but have no idea about who the best would be to go with. They told me I've already been approved for Medicare, so I guess I should start now to find the right supplemental insurance. Hopefully, I'll have that before the 30 days are over.

Oh, yes, I can be taxed on it. But, it's rather complicated (just like everything else in the government). I'll be taxed on what I should have received for the past 4 years, but not the first 5. I was not married for the first 5 years but got married 4 years ago. They determine what to tax based on your marital status, plus your income if you are employed part-time. But, if you're not married and have no other income, there are no taxes to pay.

I was primarily self-employed for about 20 years before my disability. I learned a long time ago to keep some money in the bank to pay taxes. I had to pay my own, so I'm well aware of what needs to be done. I've got that covered.

Thanks, gabs. This 30 days doesn't sound like a lot but the last thing I was told was to call if I haven't heard anything in 60 days. I'm wondering just how many more days they'll tack on once these 30 days are up. (I've become a bit of a pessimist about this insane case.) My actual hearing was way back in February! So, it's been almost 9 months since my hearing. Most people hear something WAY before then!

It just seems like they keep adding more days for me to wait, each time the last chunk of days they tell me to wait ends. I actually filed my first appeal for a hearing before the judge back in April 2004! I didn't get a hearing date until 30 months later! I was denied at that hearing. I filed another appeal for a redetermination and it was granted a year later. But, because I had moved in that time, the case had to be transferred to this State, which of course took even MORE time (another year).

I had to go to my last hearing without a lawyer because my old lawyers dumped me after the first denial. (Binder & Binder... HORRIBLE lawyers!) B&B refused to give me a waiver of attorney's fees so no other lawyer would touch my case. (Says a lot about them, huh?) The judge asked if I wanted to proceed without a lawyer or postpone until I could get one. I wasn't about to postpone this! It would have taken at least another year if I did that! Funny, though, I was approved without a lawyer after being denied WITH a lawyer.

I just hope it's all over soon. I'm so tired of fighting them.

Well of course it is a long time after fighting so long even just 3 Days would be, it is awful that you ended having to take it to court I mean what are they thinking of
I thought it was bad enough that I had to fight for a year for mine and I know what you mean that you are fed up fighting them, you have done well I will say that much Girl, fighting them that long
I really hope that it is all over for you soon, then you can relax and get on with things
Let me know Sweet how things go and I really hope you do not have to wait the 30 Days