Hi all…does anyone have personal experience with getting Disability because of your depression?
If so, I would really like to hear about it.
Thanks, sadkitty
I am on disbility for my depression, I however keep getting told that what I went through do get my disability is not the norm. I applied for disability and was approved in 28 days, what I can say is that I was prepaired for everything that they asked me for, med documents appointments, The other big thing for me is that my doc suggested that I go on disability and halped me every step of the way. At first it is a bit stressful going to the first appt to fill out the ap is the longest it took about 2 hours to go throught all the questions and work history and they also go through medical history so it is best to know all the docs that you have ever been to. Most people from what I understand usualy get an advocate to help with the process, I did not need one but you need to do what is best for you. Sally I wish you all the luck in the world, if you would like to chat please feel free to pm me anytime I will be happy to talk to you.
Hi keljo…thanks so much for your response! Much appreciated. I will definitely message you in the near future about this. Hope you are well, Sally
http://www.disabilitysecrets.com
Good website with loads of info
Hope it helps I have more sites if you need them
IM ON DISABILITY TOO. IT TOOK ME AROUND A YEAR TO GET APPROVED. I WAS TURNED DOWN THE FIRST TIME. ITS GOOD TO HAVE LOTS OF DOCUMENTATION WHICH I HAD. IN OUR STATE YOU HAVE TO SEE A DOCTOR ALSO. (ONE OF THEIRS). IT TOOK AWHILE BUT ITS DEFINANTLY POSSIBLE. I KNOW SOMEONE WHO WAS APPROVED AFTER 3 MONTHS FOR THE SAME THING.
GOOD LUCK.
TM2TRIVER and cyndi…thanks SO much for your responses. I really appreciate it. Big hugs and best wishes to you both, Sally/ sadkitty
I got disability for depression and chronic fatigue syndrome. I had lots of letters to support my claim and mostly holistic health practicioners. One regular MD type. I had letters from one psychiatrist and my current and 2 former therapists. I got it on my first try. I had the normal wait time like 3-6 months I think. But it has been so long I don’t fully remember how long I had to wait. It was so paperwork intensive and I cried and got help from an Independent Living Resource Center. I didn’t have to say I couldn’t work AT all only that I was not able to be “self-supporting.” Good luck.
This is absolutely THE best site for all the info you need. Good luck.
I went on disability 2 times on a temporary basis, around 5 months both times, I went to counseling and had constant phone calls from the insurance company to see how I was doing, but I was so out of it I dont remember allot of what I did. (it was also 17 years ago)
I know that this may be an issue in the future as my condition worsens, but for now I can still work, and feel very fortunate.
Most importantly:
I found that getting the proper doctors is really key in what happens with your health care. If you dont feel you are a “team” with your doctor, get a new one! AND SPARE NO EXPENSE!!! Make your care a TOP priority!
There is no reason why this illness cant be treated properly!
Good luck Sadkitty!
Clover
When you went on disability did you get payed and how did you get it, was it through your job, did you have to send them proof that you were depressed, how much were you able to get, i wamt to know because i am working and and it is hard for me somtimes on my job
Dear Sadkitty & friends,
I got disability after three and a half years of fighting. I have major chronic & recurrent depression, fibromyalgia, arthritis, SAD, OCD, and borderline personality disorder. I used a disability law firm to help me. They were great, as they did all of the paperwork. None of the shrinks at the end would help me or support me with the disability. My internist of 20+ years was the only MD that was supportive, along with a few others I found. I was turned down three times before I got it. This is not unheard of. The law firm I used was Binder & Binder. They don’t require payment unless you win your disability. Social Security will discourage you every step of the way, and will do everything to tell you, you aren’t a candidate for disability. My advice is: don’t listen, talk to, or believe in anything they say. All they do is lie to you. Talk to those who have been through it and your law firm & lawyer. When going for this, lay everything down on the table you have; I mean all of the physical and mental stuff you have going on. It will all strengthen you case. Of course, you have to back it up with proof. I will be glad to help and support any of you in this battle of rights. The hardest thing about this, is waiting. It can drive you mad. You are dealing with a large, cruel, bureaucratic institution that doesn’t care anything about you as a person. They made many mistakes during this time on my case, and believe you me, I let my law firm know about those mistakes! It is rare to get it on the first try. It would be nice though. Send in all the medical records you have, journal notes, notes you written like on a community, you can use all of these; as they reflect things about your illness. I had 25 years of misery that I sent in. YOU CAN WIN! You have to be tenacious as HELL. I didn’t listen to any of their excuses, as they were ignoring stuff from me! This is Catfish standing by…ready to help you kick social insecurity’s butt! I called it Social Insecurity pretty quickly after I started the nightmare of getting disability. They should be called this~!
Love,
Catfish
Hi All…thanks for all your input. Unfortunately, I found out, through speaking to an attorney who deals with Disability, that I am not eligible, because I have not worked in six years. She said you have to have worked full time within the past five years to collect. And, although I could apply for payments through Social Security, she said they make it almost impossible to get it if you have any substantial assets, which I do…inheritance from my Dad. Anyway, I appreciate everything you all added to the conversation, and I just wanted to add what I learned. Best to you all, Sally/ sadkitty
Hi sadkitty (((hugs)))
“. And, although I could apply for payments through Social Security,she said they make it almost impossible to get it if you have any substantial assets, which I do…inheritance from my Dad.”
Do some checking yourself before you give up on the idea as to what exactly the disqualifying asset limits are. Also some kind of assets eg a house … its possible that may not count if you live there.
All countries work a little different with their social security payments but no matter which country you are in, it can sometimes be very hard to get. It all too often depends on your doctors and whoever assesses your case and what that person thinks about your medical condition.
I recently (two weeks ago)… finally got the disability pension approved for me after quite an intense 5 mth battle with them. (The stupid assessors didnt believe in my condition CFS/ME… so I had to take the appeals quite high till I got a person who did). Absolutely crazy as I have so many different conditions it’s not funny. CFS/ME, FM, MCS, PCOS, PMDD etc etc
(( have 81 different conditions or symptoms now. last week OA has now been added to my huge list after I injured myself severely and spent a week in hospital and ended up having to by sent via ambulance for a catscan which resulted in seeing I have that too).
I was told that during my disability appeal (by the person assessing me)… to say I had depression too. She said if I had depression on my list, my disability would be granted as its far more accepted than CFS/ME which was my main health issue and the one which completely prevents me from being able to work.
I refused thou to say I had that as I dont currently have it (I last had a bout of depression late last year, early this year) and it sucks that my other condition which is a severe one, at the time I was being rejected cause the non medical assessors… believed it wasnt a valid illness!!
Hence if you have depression… you may be in for an easier time with social services… than some with other illnesses.
Anyway… please check out if your assets and the form they are in currently… would definately reject you from being able to claim for disability.
(check directly with the social services people..preferably write to them about it and get the answer back in writing as I've found hey have a terrible tendancy to give one out the wrong advice. They stuffed up so so many things in my case..before my claim was granted).
best luck
Hi tania…thanks for your post! What you say makes good sense, and I will definitely look into all this. By the way…so sorry about all they have put you through! Crazy stuff. Kind of interesting…just a few minutes ago I was poking around on another website for a firm that also deals with Disability, and what they are saying is slightly different than what the other people told me, which would make a difference in my situation. (They are saying that to be eligible you have to have worked five years within the past ten years, NOT that you have to have worked within the past five years.) AHHHH!!! Anyway, thanks again for your response. Will keep you posted. Big Hug, Sally
sadkitty,
I’m glad to see you are giving it a second thought. Don’t give up!!! You can win but not always on the 1st or 2nd round in the fight.
Did you visit the forum link I sent you? http://groups.msn.com/SocialSecurityDisabilityCoalition
You can also apply for SSDI online at:
http://ssa.gov/d&s1.htm#dibap
There is absolutely everything you need to get help with getting SSDI. Unfortunately, I found the site after I was already a year into the fight for my SSDI, but it has helped me tremendously.
My best friend’s sister got disability based strictly on major depression. She had not worked in a year and was seeing a psych doc regularly and taking meds. She was denied twice, hired a lawyer and went to her hearing. While waiting her turn to go into the hearing, someone came out to the lobby and told her she was approved and didn’t have to see the judge. He approved it while reviewing it right then and there! That was in December 2006.
You can be approved based on a variety of impairments, not just one! You need to include in your claim everything that impairs or prohits your ability to perform a normal 8-hour workday or 40-hour workweek with having to be absent several days a month because of your impairments. If SSA can find ANY job in the national economy that you can do DESPITE your impairments, you will be denied and considered non-disabled. Otherwise, you will be approved for disability.
I was just approved for SSDI this week for bipolar disorder, neck & back pain, asthma, interstitial cystitis and pelvic pain w/surgical intervention. I applied in Aug 2005, was denied twice and hired a lawyer for a hearing. They don’t get paid unless you win. My lawyer requested an on-the-record decision last month and I was approved without having to go to court!!
It is critical to get your medical doctors and/or therapists to fill out a report and/or write a letter stating your mental and physical limitations. The questionnaire forms can be found on the website link above.
Feel free to contact me if you want. I’m always willing to help my friends in need. Good luck & best wishes.
Dear SadKitty,
What that lawyer said about you working full time in the last five years to collect; that is bull##**. I didn’t work full time in the end, I was working as needed or part time. And as far as your money that you have, you hide it, or give to someone else. As long as you don’t have it. Or you could put it into a strong box in a bank somewhere. I would seek another lawyer or even better a disability law firm. They really know their business, and are less likely to discourage people. These individual lawyers, don’t know as much about disability law. As a major group. I think you are being lied to here. I’ve never heard that one about you have to work full time, that is just bullcrap. Please go to a major disability law firm. There are ways to hide the money, so that Social security cannot see it. If you are using this money to live on, what are you going to do when it is gone? I bring this up to the disability law firm. A bank might know. If you could place the money in a CD, IRA, or something where it is hidden so that they couldn’t see it, then you would be safe. But I am not sure about this; you would need to find out from your bank. BEFORE, you start the disability crap, as they will ask you about money in savings & checking accounts. This is very important, and you need to to this beforehand. I know they are NOT supposed to be able to look anywhere else, at any other accounts, but I’m not sure on this. You know how slimy they are. Please don’t give up here. You not out of the starting gate yet.
Love,
Catfish
I aplied right out of the hosp. and the pdoc was the one that pushed it… When I filled out my part I kept it really simple … I think I got mine within a few months… Everyone I have talked to was shocked… Even got my medicare right away with no wait.
Good luck!
Diana