Yesterday was my disability hearing before the Administrative Law Judge regarding my case. If he finds in my favor, I will finally begin to start receiving Social Security Disability. I answered a lot of questions as to the pain I am in daily, how my life has changed since March 25, 2010 when I was put on medical leave by the district, what I can and can not do, and a host of other stuff. I did have to explain in detail what I actually did for the school district when I was employed as the vocational rehab specialist that was there described me doing far different work than I actually did.
I had to be there an hour early for security procedures and to meet with my attorney. The hearing started late. So it was an hour of drive time down, an hour plus of sitting in some of the most painful chairs ever designed by mankind, nearly an hour for the hearing and another hour for the drive home.All of that did a real number on me. The good thing is I didn't embarrass myself by falling though as things went on I was more and more unstable on my feet even with my cane.
It went as well as could be expected, I guess. The whole process yesterday during the hearing was confusing and I didn't understand part of what went on. I still don't so hopefully my attorney from Binder & Binder and I did the right things. His decision won't be issued for three to six months so the wait will continue.
Kevin
It seems ridiculous and callous to me that the judge needs three to six months to render a decision.
ReplyDeleteI'm not thrilled, but that is the way the system works. Not just here but nationwide. Hopefully the decision will come down sooner.
ReplyDeleteBarry's right. It took me two and a half years to get my disability. I almost think they put every stumbling block in front of one they can in the hopes that people will give up.
ReplyDeleteIf it hadn't been for the genereosity of friends and family, I might have have ended up living under a bridge.
Take hope. I got the same thing from the judge in my case, but it was only about six weeks before money appeared in my account ahead of the official notice. One can never be sure of course, each event is different, but we'll keep our fingers crossed.
It is too much to hope for anything happening that fast, Randy. I don't have any feeling really which way he is going to go.
ReplyDeleteYes, friends have been saving us too but at some point.....
Good luck and hang in there.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Warren.
ReplyDeleteKevin, when Louis applied for his disability back in '88, it took over two years for him as well. In that time we incurred so much medical debt that we had to file for bankruptcy & lost pretty much everything we owned.
ReplyDeleteIt was hard, we couldn't afford an attorney so I went down to the local office supply & got the packet of papers myself & did it. I was naive & no one told me I couldn't. LOL
Truly it is designed to discourage the applicant or take so much time that they pass away during the process. That was exactly what a representative from Social Security told us. Nice, huh?
The house & stuff, no biggie, really, because I have Louis & the rest can be replaced or done without. It is the kick to the dignity, to the soul that takes such a horrific toll. It made us feel less than human, like no one heard us & even more like no one really cared. Sad, just sad.
Continuing to pray for you & your family.
It is an incredibly humiliating process, Kay. I do think I was heard yesterday.....at least I hope so.
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