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I live in Virginia I will 60 years old in Aug., I had a heart attack 5 years ago, I had a stent placed. Last year I had a difibillator implanted. I was layed off of my job in February, so I am not working right now. My question is what if the first step to apply for disability. I have not talked to the cardiologist yet about this I was just wondering what the procedure was.
Exercise Heart disease Pain Memory Heart attack Stent Depression
hi connie,
first, you really do need to talk to your cardiologist about it and make sure that he/she is in agreement with you on being disabled.
the good news is that you're 60 and that helps with s.s.a. decision making. the bad news could be that unless you've had a recent decline in your health or a recent episode they may decide to deny you (at least to start with).
just make sure that your doctor will back you up on your claim though because if not in total agreement, chances are slim that you will get medical disability. after you talk to the doctor and find that he will back you up, just call the s.s.a. 1-800-772-1213 and talk to one of the reps. they will send you the paperwork and have an appointment made for you at your local office for a personal interview. they'll tell you everything that you'll need to take with you.
good luck
evie
yes check with your doctor and be prepared to be turned down not once but twice they do that and it is a long process to get even though its your money and you paid into it they dont wnat to let go of it but get your paper work in now becuase when you do get approved they do pay back pay from the date you applied good luck
god bless
surviving heart disease one day at a time
with trigger 04 /08
for 10 year now
nanamo
Thank you for your replys, I was going to ask the cardiologist first this would all be up to him. I figured that it would be a long process anyhow. Thank you again for all of your help.
Connie,
If you are laid off, but can still work, you are eligible immediately for SS benefits for 2 years or until you are employed again. I was not eligible because I couldn't possibly work again. That made me ineligible for aid.
It's only a long process if your doctor won't back you. If a physician does back you, you pretty much skip right on through, be approved. I have a friend who was awarded immediate disability on the basis of depression at 47...there was strong physician backing for this person so there was only ONE interview at the SSC office, notification of SSD award came within 3 months and payments began in about 6 months, with BACK PAY because the condition had been ongoing for years. This person is able to work random weekly part time hours.....something I haven't been able to manage for over 3 years now. But I have no physician backing for a Class IV. I'm still not damaged enough for SSD at 54. There is so little medical backing for women living with permanent heart damage, with 24/7 impact medicine has no way of measuring yet.
Be aware that many lawyers won't consider your case until SSD has denied your 2nd appeal.....which means you are going to have to expend huge amounts of energy and willpower to seek out and obtain all sorts of medical records yourself, write out a comprehensive history of your heart issue progression. The 2nd appeal must be in front of an SSD judge....And SSD explains (it is meant to be a deterrent) that if you pursue a 2nd appeal and win, the federal gov't will be taking a significant percentage of your payments for the duration (as a $ penalty for winning).
You have 1 thing in your favor at this point. Your age; 60. This adds points to the rating scale SSD uses to rank your claim. (I was 52 and immediately discounted because of that.......SSD is in the business of DENYING as many claims as possible so your case needs to be strongly backed by physician).
Good luck. I struggled very hard to work 10 years beyond heart attack, 41 and permanent damage, 2 stents that quickly reblocked (70%) w scar tissue within a year according to the next cath doc. None of this is considered. It was just my tough luck that I didn't wait until 60 to have my heart attacks. You could take early retirement at 62 1/2 to begin claiming your SS payments. I've worked my entire life and was eligible for full SS benefits of all kiinds by age 40....but can't access them because of my youth at time of heart damage, etc.
My husband had a SCA in Feb. 07 at the age of 57. He was unable to return to work because while he was without oxygen for 8 minutes, the part of the brain that he uses to program computers no longer worked. After 1 1/2 years of him trying to program I suggested to him that we apply for disability which he had paid into his entire career. We applied for SSDI expecting to be denied. In the application process he had to show how much work he has done since his disability which was pretty much nil. If he had worked more than a certain amount per month the process ended there. Also he had to show ongoing medical needs which of course is not hard to show. His cardiologist considers him a miracle so we notified him of our intent to apply and asked him to support our claim which he was more than happy to do.
we were notified that a psychologist needed to interview and test him. That was a 1 1/2 hour test which I guess proved to Social Security that we weren't lying about his memory issues. We still expected to be denied though.
2 months later we were notified that he was granted disability with no review for another 5-7 years. Back pay was awarded at the time also. He will go on Medicare 30 months after being declared disabled which is next month (they started counting the day of disability as the day he had his cardiac arrest). No more $1000 per month health premiums!
So my advice is to start the application process with your local SS office. In Arizona lawyers don't get involved until you have a denial in your hand so start it on your own. Age is in your favor from all the reading I have done but each case is different.
Best of luck to you.
Maridee
Be prepared for a long battle. Hopefully that wont be the case with you. Everyone who has already replied is right though, the first step is your doctor. If they dont think your disabled, you dont have any chance.
It took me three years to be approved, with all my doctors saying I would/could never work again.
For some, it is a short process, for others looooong. In my case, it was unfortuantely long.
I think you should talk to an attorney who specializes in SSD They can guide you through the process. I had 5 doctors backing me and it still took from 11/06- 6/09 to get approved. It doesn't matter what state you are in or the attorney is in it is all federal not state.My atty is in Missouri and I live in West Virginia They filed in 11/06 filed all the appeals and flew here for my hearing.They get paid by the government they DO_NOT take any of your back pay. The gov pays a maximum of $4000 per case plus expensives to the attys. The firms that handle SS cases probably deal with a ton of them a day and it is probably mostly just getting the paperwork all together. One that is advertised a lot is BinderandBinder you go internet at binderandbinder.com or call 1-800-662-4633. My attys were Bassett Nelson and Associates in Columbia Mo-1-800-331-1127 Good luck!
I'm working with Binder and Binder on my SSD case. They get involved at any phase of the process, which for me is at the start whereas other lawyers only get involved after you've been denied. They handle everything for you, such as gathering all the medical records, putting together all the paperwork. You might want to check them out.
Be well, Tonya
Hello.,
I worked with Allsup 800.854.1418.
They were absolutely terrific.
I also had Binder and Binder work on my case. It took me five years to be approved. I was denied twice. I also had to go before the law judge even though my cardiologist had written a letter at the beginning of my problems saying that I was totally disabled. It took Binder and Binder two years to get it for me.
I really hope you have the best of luck in getting your
disability.
bingo
Before seeing a costly attorney, talk to your local Council on Aging and your Congressperson's office. They can be most helpful. Have copies of all of your medical records, including inpatient with you and start SSD claim on your own (always keep a copy of medical records for yourself). Go in knowledgeable with a positive attitude that you are going to get it--in otherwords, don't let the people in the disability offfice intimidate you and be nice. Maybe the person will take a special interest in you.
My dgter went with Binder and Binder after her second denial. What a waste of money!! The attorney didn't even know what her condition was or how to pronounce it. She had to do the gathering of all of her health records herself, which was almost impossible due to her condition. I DO NOT recommend them!! Know that the person at SSD is only interested in why you can't work and that is it.
Before seeing a costly attorney, talk to your local Council on Aging and your Congressperson's office. They can be most helpful. Have copies of all of your medical records, including inpatient with you and start SSD claim on your own (always keep a copy of medical records for yourself). Go in knowledgeable with a positive attitude that you are going to get it--in otherwords, don't let the people in the disability offfice intimidate you and be nice. Maybe the person will take a special interest in you.
My dgter went with Binder and Binder after her second denial. What a waste of money!! The attorney didn't even know what her condition was or how to pronounce it. She had to do the gathering of all of her health records herself, which was almost impossible due to her condition. I DO NOT recommend them!! Know that the person at SSD is only interested in why you can't work and that is it.
look in your phone book for a SSI lawyer. If he takes your case you will win but it does take time and he will get a percentage of the fianl payoff to you which is every dime you would normally get each month from the time you apply. you will probly get denied 2 or 3 times before you see a judge depending how severe your case is. One of my friends got it in 3 months. mine took 22 months. no ones case is the same. Good Luck !
Hi,
I wrote just yesterday. I would be at the fireworks tonight except I have an intestinal flu Yuk. Anyway, each disability case is individual and so are law groups.
Allsup gathered all my medical documents. I did nothing more than sign the consent for them to do so. Their write up to the Social Security administration was detailed and precise. Prior to their submitting the paper work, I had at least 2 phone conferences with them to ensure all submissions were correct and nothing had been omitted.
I had been turned down for disability when I did it on my own. From the time Allsup took it on, only 7 months elapsed. My disability was back dated to the date I was identified with the heart condition. The check I received was substantial.
I was also qualified for Medicare.
If you wish to contact me, you can call me at 847.446.2588.
Ellen
I do not know how things are in Virginia, but in Florida,oooooooooooo, is all I could say. Initially I applied on line. The first thing you should do after your initial application, is speak with the nurses/people in your cardiologists office and get a copy of all your medical records. You should get a copy of all your medical records from every doctor you see. and of course, be sure to make a copy for yourself. While this is being done, you will receive a denial letter in the mail from SS. The you dispute this decision and complete whatever paperwork they send you. In the interim, continue getting all your medical history together. You will then receive a second denial. Now you find a good lawyer that specializes in SS disability and SS law. This is no cost out of your pocket unless you win the case. With the lawyer involved now, you will start again filling out all the same paperwork you started with. The difference is everything goes through the lawyer, you have no direct contact with SS. Eventually you will get a court date to appear before a judge. THey let you know where the hearing will be. THe lawyer usually preps you a couple of days before hand. I don't know about your state, but in Florida, you have to be dam near dead to get on disability and it will take about 2 years of so to get a hearing date. And if you should wind the case, at least another 3 - 4 months will go by before you start receiving S.S. and another year will go by before your medicare and whatever kick in. This is a long and disalusional process and you must have patience and then some. And sufficient means to live during the process.
SS have a big medical book they go by, and believe me, if what ever you have is not in that book, its a long road. I think you can find the book online to read what they deem as disabled. This is only part ofwhat happens, at least in Fla.
littlepiddle
Good Luck,
I was denied completely, I had a heart attack and a triple by pass, double depression, 2 dengerative disc in my neck, migraine headaches, pain in left leg, a history of a fib, microvalve prolaspe, and was told to get a telemarketing job, or a motel maid job, which I have a weight limit of 25 or below and absolutely no weight lifting, the only recommended exercise was water exercising, plus a decrease in hearing loss, but yet I am suppose to go back on the phone, anyone with a half of brain or no brain, knows this is the no 1 most stressful job, and I went to school to get away from this type of work, I went to school to work in an office, OH did I mention memory loss,
Does this make me angry you bet it does.
So I hope you do get it and make sure if you find an attorney you are highly involved in your case and I found out that you can go back 10 years, and make sure you get all of your medical records yourself, do not rely on the attorney to do it, If mine would have I would have won my hearing, but the attorney was stupid.
I don't mean to sound off but the bottom line is I got screwed.
Yes, first step is for your cardiologist to make the decision that you're truly disabled..Once that happens, you may be in for a long wait. I had my heart attack 12/5/2001..I tried to resume work. I waited almost 2yrs after my original heart attack to file as I kept thinking "I'll get better and will re-enter the workforce". On 9/6/03 I went to SSA filled out paperwork and got denied about 4 months later, went thru appeal process and still denied. Finally after devastation financially I refiled, again turned down twice. My cardiologist was really angry as he was admant I was disabled. Finally in 10/2005, I went to Allsup Inc. who is experienced in applying for disability. They also were turned down twice and filed an appeal and was told it could be as long as 2yrs for my hearing before a judge.. After much turmoil, I called my state senator, who in turn contacted the judge I was to appear before. I don't know what happened in that process but do know that the judge did grant my disability back to 3/2002 which was my last day of formal employment. Did I get paid back monies from that point to 2009, No! but I did get 36months of payments. Had Soc Sec granted the disability I would have gotten monies for those 3yrs they didn't send...Soc Sec only goes back so far to pay regardless of what the judge awarded me in time of disability. It took me the better part of 6yrs to get my award and paying a company to help me (pmt to Allsup came out of my back payment award check). I think Soc Sec just kept putting me off hoping I'd die and they'd not have to pay. I've gone through heart attack going into cardiac arrest, all kinds of stent placements, ICD implant, heart ablation, the list could go on & on. Here's hoping you don't have to go through the same type of misery. By the way, if you want professional help Allsup, Inc has a website you can go to and an 800# that you can call. They were most gracious in their help to me. Good luck in your process.
Connie,
I just started the application process earlier this month. I was assigned an analyst on Friday and given practically the same paperwork to fill out "by hand" that I had on the internet. Whew . . I think we are in for a long process . . .
Judy
I think that you are right it is going to be long and drawn out process.
Connie
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