Disability nightmare: NEW chapter! Maybe the tide is changing!
By mentalward
@mentalward (14690)
United States
June 25, 2009 12:24pm CST
I received a letter from our congressman yesterday, the one who has been helping me with my disability case. Enclosed with it was a copy of a letter he received from Social Security dated June 12, advising him that "the decision is being processed"!!!!!
Well, it might mean absolutely nothing at all since this case has been "being processed" for seven years now, but at least I know that Social Security is very much aware that I have a congressman and a senator on my side.
I have renewed hope that my case will be resolved before the end of this year! Just kidding. I'm hoping that it will be resolved very soon. Of course, when dealing with our wonderful government and trying to get what I worked almost 40 years for, I might just be gearing up for another letdown.
Have you ever received a letter from the government which turned out to be nothing more than word play? I'm HOPING it's not just another attempt of Social Security to mess with my head and that my case will FINALLY be approved in the near future but I keep reigning in my emotions just so I won't be too disappointed when I still haven't heard anything another month or two from now.
Anyone have anything similar happen to them? If so, what was the outcome?
5 people like this
10 responses
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
25 Jun 09
I'm FAR from an expert, but I too see that as a good sign. Congressmen don't pull that much weight with Social Security, but it never hurts to have their letter in your file. I think it is quite possible that you'll have a ruling before the end of the year. And I also think it is wise of you to not get your hopes up too high. It's much easier to accept a no when you're expecting it and it is MUCH MORE PLEASANT to hear a yes when you're expecting a no. Maybe this will finally be your time to get what you so deserve. Its infuriating that those who abuse the system so flagrantly get approved so easily, when those who need it so desperately have to fight for their lives!!! I worked with a guy whose neighbor got it simply because she had to pee too often. And a friend who got it because she didn't trust her husband & chose to follow him around all day making sure he didn't cheat.
2 people like this
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
25 Jun 09
It is unbelieveable sometimes, isn't it? I've seen my share of flagrant cases of fraud. They never seem to get caught, either!
I've had panic disorder syndrome since I was 17, yet I still worked, and worked hard! If I had a panic attack at work, I'd just go hide in the bathroom until it went away. I LOVED working and earning my way, especially because I refused to allow those panic attacks to keep me from working. I worked until I simply could not any longer. I probably worked longer than I should have, actually. The end of my working career was extremely hard on me until I finally gave it up. It has always hurt me very much to know I can't hold a job anymore. I just wish Social Security could see inside my head to understand that!
I've become somewhat of a pessimist. I used to be an optimist but realized one day that optimists are often disappointed. Pessimists are never disappointed and are often pleasantly surprised! 
Nah, I'm not a pessimist. I'm a realist. It will happen when and if it happens and not before then. I do miss my optimistic days, though. 
Nah, I'm not a pessimist. I'm a realist. It will happen when and if it happens and not before then. I do miss my optimistic days, though. 1 person likes this
@heathcliff (1415)
• United States
25 Jun 09
Good luck to you! I have been very lucky (knock on wood) with my disabiity processing but at my latest review they have been wasting ALOT of tax-payer money for there not having been any change in my condition. I assume they are under pressure to find some people to force back to work to save Federal Disability dollars, but the cost cannot be worth the reward at this point.
2 people like this
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
25 Jun 09
I understand exactly what you are saying, heathcliff. My sister was born with Muscular Dystrophy. She went on SSI and had to be reassessed every single year, like there was some great new, magical cure that Social Security didn't know about. Yeah, right. Even though she got worse and worse each year, they still made her go through the yearly reassessments. What a waste!
2 people like this
@bdugas (3577)
• United States
26 Jun 09
I am here hoping for you too, but like I said you can call them but I believe they have 120 days from your last letter you received to give you a decision. I know that is the longest 120 of your life. Yes we got the same letter as you did when my husband's case was going on. Really I don't believe that our senator meant anything to them, they told me when I called and said so and so is helping us. They said their ruling are based on what is in the file and the information that they received from their doctors. I do not trust their doctors as they work for them and it is their place to find you capable of working. If possible. I think when you get this final discusion it will be in your favor. It is a pure shame that when we need this so badly we have to fight for it, we worked for it all our lives. I was already on the roles because of my heart attack so when I put in for Social Security it went so smooth, no one to fight with over it. I was so proud of that first check I got in June. They wanted me to wait till I was 66, I ask them if that was their way of hoping you die before then and they won't have to pay you.
@bdugas (3577)
• United States
26 Jun 09
That is what we had to do was sue the federal government, and the state of Louisiana, and the Social Security Admin. It is the final step in the process, although my hubby was in the hospital, he could still get a job, it was so stupid, it took me from Oct 1995 to Sept,2001 to finally win. And then was told it should of went through the first time. Do you know how many people just give up and forget it and try to go back to work. I was nuts, I lost our truck, our home, sold the furniture, piece by piece and had a massive heart attack from the stress, and they did not care. I hope your don't have to go that far.
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
26 Jun 09
If I knew for certain that I'm going to be approved, I could wait much easier. But, having been denied so many times already, it's really hard to be optimistic.
Even so, the psyche evaluation that the judge said he needed before making his decision said that my ability to hold "gainful employment" is severely affected by my emotional/mental state, stemming from my physical problems. That court-appointed psychologist could not have been more in my favor!
It does sound good... it sounds great, in fact, but I've become somewhat of a pessimist about this case and my luck. I'm already steeling myself up to begin the last step of my disability case which is to sue the Social Security Administration. I'm hoping it doesn't come to that and it shouldn't, just based on what the judge said about the psyche report, but I still can't help but worry that I will, once again, receive bad news.
It's the not knowing for certain that is trying to drive that last marble out of my head! Hopefully, I'll know something before I lose that last one. 
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
25 Jun 09
There you go Marti!! That's how you do it gal!! Yes, hubby and I had a problem with his pay in the army when he was promoted and they wouldn't get his new rank right with the two places, one place would blame the other and vise versa and no matter what we did, nothing worked! Well until we called and wrote to TWO senators!! OH BOY!! LMBO!! Not only did he start getting his new rank pay but he also got ALL of his back pay!! It was quite nice to finally put these azzes in their place and make them do their damned jobs!! LMBO!! That's how we were able to get our living room AND bedroom furniture!!
That's how you do it gal!! Yes, hubby and I had a problem with his pay in the army when he was promoted and they wouldn't get his new rank right with the two places, one place would blame the other and vise versa and no matter what we did, nothing worked! Well until we called and wrote to TWO senators!! OH BOY!! LMBO!! Not only did he start getting his new rank pay but he also got ALL of his back pay!! It was quite nice to finally put these azzes in their place and make them do their damned jobs!! LMBO!! That's how we were able to get our living room AND bedroom furniture!!1 person likes this
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
25 Jun 09
My step-father was fond of saying, "It's not what you know or who you know, but who knows you." That is so very true! Writing to the congressman and senator, telling them the whole horrible story and letting them get to know me as a human being and not just a number or a voter, was what it took, apparently.
I hope I can write another discussion here VERY soon about the approval letter I FINALLY got after waiting seven long years for it!
1 person likes this
@leenie50 (3992)
• United States
26 Jun 09
Well Marti,
It sounds like this might just be a good sign. But like you said, what the hell does being processed suppose to mean? What does the Congressman think it means? If you don't receive a letter in the next few weeks than get that Congressman to find out exactly what it means. We'll keep our fingers crossed. I hope this a dream come true. You certainly deserve to have something good happen for you. Hugssss
leenie
@commanderxo (1494)
• Canada
29 Jun 09
I can't say that I've experienced anything similar to your case...but as you say, at least Social Security is aware of government officials being involved. Let's just keep our fingers crossed that they'll come through for you. I for one, believe they will.
cdrxo
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
29 Jun 09
I got such a surprise on Friday. In the mail was something from the Disability Determination Services. I opened it and it was a check!
No, not the check I've been waiting for. This one was for $53.35, the amount Social Security reimbursed me for traveling to and from that psyche examination they made me go to.
But, at least it's something, huh?
I'm going out today to buy my oldest son a birthday present with it. I can't get him what I wanted to, but I can at least get him something besides having his favorite dinner tonight. (He took off from work today so we can celebrate tonight... today is his birthday.) We're having hamburgers on the grill, corn on the cob, french fries and pecan pie for dessert... his favorites.
I'm going out today to buy my oldest son a birthday present with it. I can't get him what I wanted to, but I can at least get him something besides having his favorite dinner tonight. (He took off from work today so we can celebrate tonight... today is his birthday.) We're having hamburgers on the grill, corn on the cob, french fries and pecan pie for dessert... his favorites.1 person likes this
@commanderxo (1494)
• Canada
29 Jun 09
Wish him all the best from me and my girlfriend.
...and if that check (cheque in Canadian) is any indication, I'll just bet you'll be seeing another one soon. One you WILL be expecting.
Happy Birthday young Mr. H.
cdrxo
@lingli_78 (12821)
• Australia
26 Jun 09
i haven't actually have any experience dealing with the government... so i don't really know how it works... i can only wish you all the best and good luck... hopefully everything will work out for you... take care and have a nice day...
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
26 Jun 09
I really think that having the congressman calling will speed it up. It was amazing how fast things were approved for my son, once they were involved. I had tried on my own for years. I hope you hear something soon.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
27 Jun 09
that is ridiculous, did you tell him it was being processed for 7 years and you need a resolution now! I have never heard of such nonsence before.
