 Applying for benefits
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 14
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OP
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Joined: May 2014
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I am thinking about applying for SSD benefits. Is there any advantage to applying at my local Social Security office vs applying online? Thank you for your input!
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Re: Applying for benefits
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,551
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Joined: May 2004
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I first applied online. Somehow my application was lost. I ended up doing the 2nd application in person.
Online application allows you to fill it out when you can/want. Doing it in person means you need to do it when the local office tells you.
AS/PsA DX in 1988
Retired on disability
in 2005 at age 44
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Re: Applying for benefits
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 14
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OP
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Thanks for the tip, Ken. If I apply online, I'll make sure to print out a copy of the application.
Last edited by tskop; 04/24/15 01:11 PM.
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Re: Applying for benefits
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,637
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When you apply on line, you can stop anytime and restart. Example, I needed to get various doctors addresses etc. Your date does not change, even though you haven't finished the form yet.
I highly recommend doing it on line, but yes, I printed every page as I did it.
Anna
Actema IV once a month (with pre loading for allergic reaction), Cymbalta x1 daily, Arava 20mg daily. Diagnosed with AS in 2004, suffered undiagnosed since 1982.
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Re: Applying for benefits
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 14
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OP
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Should I have my rheumatologist fill out a RFC form and submit it along with my medical records?
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Re: Applying for benefits
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,637
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You should discuss going on disability before submitting to SS. They will get paperwork to fill out, Your doctor has to agree.
Anna
Actema IV once a month (with pre loading for allergic reaction), Cymbalta x1 daily, Arava 20mg daily. Diagnosed with AS in 2004, suffered undiagnosed since 1982.
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Re: Applying for benefits
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 72
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I actually hired an attorney to submit my application for SSDI on my behalf, because you best chance is to submit ALL of the pertinent medical records and statements from your doctors. It's far easier for the lawyer (and his team) to do this for you than to wrangle all of it yourself. Not to mention - if you are able to wrangle all of the application and supporting records on your own then SSA will determine that you can clearly manage some kind of sedentary job involving records(!)
I *strongly* advise that you do NOT apply in person. From the moment you walk into your SSA office they are observing you to see if you 'seem' disabled. Since our particular disability tends to be invisible we can appear perfectly fine. I would not risk it, myself. Good luck to you!
FunChefChick and Pooch  Diagnosed undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy and Fibromyalgia Spring 2009. Taking: Mobic (NSAID), Lyrica, Cimzia, Morphine Sulfate, Soma, Morphine IR. Tried: MTX, Humira, Savella, Cymbalta, Enbrel Had been employed full-time in the tech sector for 25 years; went on permanent disability leave starting April 2013.
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Re: Applying for benefits
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 14
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OP
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Were you successful in gaining Social Security benefits through using the lawyer? Were you initially declined? Just wondering if it would be beneficial in the long term to hire an attorney from the start. Thank you for your input.
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Re: Applying for benefits
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 72
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I would ABSOLUTELY hire an attorney, from the start. The process is just so very complicated, and long, and takes focus and attention to detail and to keep nudging things along . . . I just didn't have the energy and everything else it took to get through the process. I am so very relieved that I applied the way that I did. If I hadn't, I am 100% confident that I would still be waiting/appealing/hoping to someday get awarded benefits. Each person is different, of course, but . . . lawyers at least give you a leg up on the intricacies that we lay-people can never truly understand. Good luck to you!
FunChefChick and Pooch Diagnosed undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy and Fibromyalgia Spring 2009. Taking: Mobic (NSAID), Lyrica, Cimzia, Morphine Sulfate, Soma, Morphine IR. Tried: MTX, Humira, Savella, Cymbalta, Enbrel Had been employed full-time in the tech sector for 25 years; went on permanent disability leave starting April 2013.
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Re: Applying for benefits
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,637
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Where I live, the lawyers don't want you until you were denied. Then they step in and take over. The pay is back dated.
Anna
Actema IV once a month (with pre loading for allergic reaction), Cymbalta x1 daily, Arava 20mg daily. Diagnosed with AS in 2004, suffered undiagnosed since 1982.
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