Has anyone lost the ability to work and applied for SSI?

stooplady · February 2010

Hello,
I have lost the ability to work and blindly started applying to federal/stale/local disability locations. I could not tell my friends and family how bad things were getting.

ANYWAY, now I am in the middle of intake and am starting to reach out in any way possible. In a million years I never thought this would be me and it has been a "dear in the headlights" type of experience.

So, if anyone would like to talk about it privately or has experience please contact me.

Thanks.

travelriter · February 2010

I dont often come here, and I'll be traveling so wont be able to get into more detail, but contact Brooklyn Legail Aid. They're free and they will help you if/ when you (almost everyone does) get denied on yor initial application. But they will probably accept your application when you appeal it, if your doctor believes you are disabled, but make sure you have brooklyn legail aid help you!
Also, call PBRC (google for both numbers) Public Benefits Resource Center. They are free also, but unlike public assistance/ welfare/ medicaid, etc, these guys are strong advocates who fight with you (and against many of these public assistance organizations who are SUPPOSED to help you.) PBRC will help you with fair hearings, appeals, when you need to apply for housing, and absolutely ANY services you need. contact them for ANY reason; if you need a pair of glasses, food, housing, or for temporary help until you get ssi benefits. BTW SSI gives a retroactive check when you get accepted not only from the day you first apply, but usually from the first time you are diagnosed with your illness. some people i know have gotten $10-15, 000.00 and more.
I dont check private mail here, so hopefully this is enough to get you the support you need.
i know applying for assistance can be tough, financially, but mostly emotionally. some of the people in food stamp/ medicaid/ welfare offices can be really mean, and rude and unprofessional (WHY do they get into social work???) but hang in there. bring lunch and a good book when you need to go to these places. i pray that things work out for you.

whynot_31 · February 2010

travelriter wrote:
i know applying for assistance can be tough, financially, but mostly emotionally. some of the people in food stamp/ medicaid/ welfare offices can be really mean, and rude and unprofessional (WHY do they get into social work???)

I believe you are referring to clerks. HRA employs very few social workers.

travelriter · February 2010

I mean social work, the field, not social workers. But in social service agencies in general, some people in this field can be empathetic and helpful, but others can be so mean. Sometimes you just have to take a deep breath before applying for these services, and pray "God, bless them and change me."

veets · February 2010

Travelriter gave you great advice.

One sentence tranaslation... To negotiate yourself through the process and get what you truly deserve you need a lawyer.

travelriter · February 2010

Just paying it forward.
FYI;
freegan.info has great info on free (recycling) flea markets where everyone brings stuff they no longer use, and you can take whatever you need, and they have free food parties and dumpster diving trainings and tours, and they haave info on workshops where you can make and/or repair bikes for free, and The Cheap Bastard's Guide To NY is a fantastic book to check out, and Freecycle, a yahoo group, is a forum where people can give stuff away or post for things you're looking for, and its all free. And I've gotten one penny tickets on SpirtAir.com to places like jamaica, mexico, guatemala, and $19 to Puerto Rico.

domino · March 2010

Had two friends that ended up getting SSI - one was incapacitated due to MS and the other due to visual impairment. The friend with visual impairment had a very difficult time getting SSI and ended up going to a law firm that specialized in disability benefits application (Binder & Binder). It still took a while (about 12 months) but they were able to get it done - fee was ~30%. Definitely look at Legal Aid first but if you hit a brick wall, the Binder firm could be Plan B.

stooplady · May 2010

Thank you all...I have been awarded on first try. Still waiting for things to kick in but this is the time you really know who your friends are and...I must say, although answers were difficult to come by, the folks in the SS office and NYC & State did treat me with respect.

So, you don't have to fight city hall all of the time, but you better be patient.

I am sure it isn't over yet, there are insurance questions, work questions, etc., but the outcome is better than everyone predicted.

whynot_31 · May 2010

StoopLady wrote: Thank you all...I have been awarded on first try. Still waiting for things to kick in but this is the time you really know who your friends are and...I must say, although answers were difficult to come by, the folks in the SS office and NYC & State did treat me with respect.

So, you don't have to fight city hall all of the time, but you better be patient.

I am sure it isn't over yet, there are insurance questions, work questions, etc., but the outcome is better than everyone predicted.

congrats ... a victory of sorts.

travelriter · May 2010

I'm glad it worked out for you.

vidro3 · May 2010

i've lost the will to work

stooplady · May 2010

For anyone still following this post the PBRC mentioned above has a new name, it is now: The Community Services Society. It's director spoke on WNYC a month or so ago.

http://www.cssny.org/center_for_benefits_and_services/

stooplady · May 2010

For anyone who has an opinion, pro or con, please become aware of People With Disabilities. I never thought it would be me. I started working when I was 14. Had quite a few "careers" although I never finished college.

There are so many things in NYC which are great, but, of course, there are many challenges, lol. One of them being, public transportation. Public transportation for the elderly and "disabled" is not so great. Sometimes it seems that NYC public transportation is available solely to transport healthy people to work. Our elevators, escalators, steps, potential crime, lack of clear scheduling, and now layoffs, rescheduling or deletion of routes keep many of our citizens from receiving proper medical care, social isolation, shopping, etc. We need to make sure that all citizens (disabled or not) have access to public transportation. All citizens who are able should be able to be active in our politics, religious and cultural institutions. There are many people who are home all day, who still function mentally, who have voices and skills but can't leave their present environment because of lack of a mode of transportation. They can't afford taxis, car services, even Public Access transportation.

New York City is unique in that it's public transportation system is far reaching and we are very lucky to have it. We don't have to own cars. We can walk from point A to point B. But when this system breaks down, our city breaks down.

Well, better get off the soap box. Suffice it to say, please be aware that "disabled" folks may not want pity or to be disdained. They do want to be involved and in many cases, are involved. I have learned so much these past few months...especially humility.

I am no longer able to do the kind of work I did before and once things get better I hope to be able to "work" at least part time, in a new capacity. Thank goodness for the stop-gap measures in place. Thank you all.

One thing is for sure, I want to be involved with my community, it doesn't matter at what level or for recognition, etc. I also do service whenever possible.

The challenge with the waiting period is that you have to stay put, go to the doctor, show up for appointments, do what needs to be done even when no one knows why, ask questions and receive a million answers and try to stand upright no matter what other's may think. I am able to help others too.

Again, thanks!

Has anyone lost the ability to work and applied for SSI?

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