Question about disability?? please help?

Question

I have been diagnosed with depression,anxiety,panic disorder..i am 27 almost and all this started at 16years old. i went to three psychiatrists, tried 3 or 4 medications at 16..at 17 my psychiatrist helped me get into ged classes b/c i couldn't and didn't want to get out of bed to go to school. i also had back surgery in 2005. a herniated disc. my back constantly hurts, i can't bend over b/c i cant get back up if i do. if i sit too long my leg won't work right from nerve damage. currently since middle of 2006 i have been on 3 medications. zoloft,wellbutrin and occasionally xanax. i am still on wellbutrin and zoloft and xanax every now and then to help with panic attacks. i have also been on paxil cr..as a teenager i was on lithium,wellbutrin,zoloft..and if there were more i cant remember them all..i filled out for food stamps and disability 2 days ago.so far i have heard nothing. what should i do to help get the ball rolling? do i need to get my doctors charts or do they? also the three psychiatrists i went to as a teenager..their office is closed..out of business i guess?? how do i go about getting those charts???

Answer 1

OK, well, assuming you're talking about social security disability, let me tell you what my little sister says (she's a social security disability attorney).

It's pretty difficult for someone to collect SSDI on mental health issues.  In order to qualify, you have to 1.  have enough credits from working and paying into the system  2.  wait two years, from the time a doctor says you're totally disabled  3.  still be totally disabled after the two years, and have a doctor say you're permanently disabled.  

For SSDI, you have to be unable to work ANY JOB.  Any job at all.  If you can, for example, work out at the gym in your free time, then the government presumes you can teach a gym class, which is, A JOB.  If you can drive, the government presumes you can drive a cab, which is A JOB.  If you can shop, or play golf, yep, you guessed it, you can work A JOB.  

It takes about 3-4 months to get your initial denial from social security.  It can take YEARS to get the hearing, if you hire a lawyer and dispute the denial.  

It flat out doesn't matter, about charts ten years old.  It doesn't matter what you were like THEN.  What matters, is how you are NOW.  You can always get a copy of your own chart, but they will ALSO get a copy, and might send you to THEIR doc, as well.  

Answer 2

You definitely have more than enough to be declared disabled but if you haven't worked i don't know if you have worked the required amount under social security and live in the usa call Binder and binder attorney at law

He is the national social security disability association president or such for yeaRS THEY ARE GOOD FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY.I don't know where you stand legally so get to a lawyer. ASAP

Good Luck

Answer 3

Actually, there are 2 different types: SSDI and SSI. You would need to apply to the latter and I will post some info and link below. It's ridiculous to think for even a moment that someone who was born with a severe mental or physical handicap wasn't eligible for any kind of aid because they had never worked! What about children who are born with cerebral palsy or down syndrome? Obviously some of those people are never able to work and our government doesn't make them fend for themselves til they die.

It is certainly in your best interest to get a lawyer that specializes in this. It is almost impossible to win without one. And don't be looking for it in 2 days.....as someone else said, this could take years. Hire a lawyer and they will know what to do to help you find all your records. Thats what they get paid for.

"Two programs for disabled people:

Social Security Disability - SSDI benefits are given to people falling into one of two categories. The first is the Social Security Disability program. These are called Title II cases. People are eligible for the Social Security Disability program if they have worked and paid into the Social Security Disability system. The second category is the Supplemental Security Income - SSI Disability program. These are SSI or Title XVI cases.

Title XVI applicants are people who have never worked or have worked but not paid enough into the social security disability system. SSI applicants must meet an assets and resources test to be eligible for SSI benefits."

Answer 4

The process of getting disability literally takes years, not days or even months. The process also includes a denial and appeal process during which you must prove your disability. I would suggest a disability attorney who is repaid by the government, not by you. You will receive backpay for disability benefits when its approved but again that can be years and may require a court appointment after the 2nd denial. Contact your local United Way Services for an attorney referral and for counseling to help you through this long ordeal. The attorney will be able to help you get the charts you need by getting you to sign privacy forms for release. They know what they're doing but be assured this is going to take a very long time.