primitive interviewing for a free ride

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=250x3846

Oh my.

sakabatou  (1000+ posts)        Sun Oct-18-09 06:20 PM
Original message
 
I'm going to have a SSD interview some time in the future

What can I can expect in the interview?

marybourg  (541 posts)      Sun Oct-18-09 07:21 PM
Response to Original message
 
1. To be denied . Best to get a lawyer, one who specializes in SSD to present your case. You don't pay until you collect.

nosmokes  (1000+ posts)        Sun Oct-18-09 07:52 PM
Response to Original message
 
2. Yes, they will likely deny your initial claim but I recommend against the att'y and here's why: you'll end up paying 25% of your disability payments while you appeal is handled by a representative from the atty's office, who is probably not an atty or even a paralegal. In fact you'll be lucky if this rep is licensed as anything.

The appeal process takes about a year which is approximately how long your state disability should last, give or take a few weeks.

The alternative is doing some foot work in the form of phone calls to SS and finding a sympathetic social worker or two who know the system. The key is using language and terminology that SS deems necesary to find you *disabled* for your particular disease/condition.

If you know the magic code you could be fit as a fiddle and get approved.

Conversely, you can be at death's door and if the doctor doesn't use the correct wordage in his report to SS you're gonna be denied.

That's why this entire cottage industry of SS disability attorneys exist, because just about everyone is denied first time through.

All in all the system is designed to reduce you to poverty and take away any shred of dignity you may have thought you had left.It does give you just enough money to subsist and if you have some other source of income then you might even be OK, but if you're living close to the bone, losing that 25% of what little you're entitled to can smart.The info is out there for you be successful w/o the att'y. good luck!

One has no doubt many primitives know the "magic code."

sakabatou  (1000+ posts)        Sun Oct-18-09 09:17 PM
Response to Reply #2
 
4. We have someone on my side who's worked with these people before and recently I've been keeping my own diary.

wellstone dem  (1000+ posts)        Sun Oct-18-09 08:40 PM
Response to Original message
 
3. Focus on your limitations

What you can't do now that you used to do. Think carefully about this, don't be afraid to say "I don't know if you aren't sure." It is better to not know then to lock into an answer like "I think I can lift 20 pounds" when you haven't even tried to lift 20 pounds in 2 years.

If they ask your hobbies, be sure to say when the last time you were able to do the hobbies. If they ask how often you go out, be sure to tell them all the times you've had to cancel plans because of pain, depression, etc. Be sure to list every impairment.

Get documentation of everything. Depending on your disability, get written statements from neighbors or friends that now have to help you out. If you are in pain, keep a pain diary, so that it is clear when you are missing sleep, having to stay in bed, needing to lay down, etc.

IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, GET A LETTER FROM YOUR TREATING DOCTOR. That letter should explain how long the MD has treated you, tests that have been performed, and the doctors opinion, based on those tests, about your limitations. GET ALL MEDICAL RECORDS.

If you are denied, you will need to ask for reconsideration. After reconsideration, you need to ask for a hearing. If you go to a hearing, be sure to get a lawyer, the lawyer will get 25% of your back benefits if you win. Should be no legal fees, as opposed to costs such as getting medical records, if you lose.

Your odds of winning go up from 50% to 70 or 80% with a lawyer. (At least those were the stats a few years ago. I actually think the chance of winning now is less than 50, but the margin between with a lawyer and without a lawyer is probably about the same.)

jwirr  (1000+ posts)      Sun Oct-18-09 10:19 PM
Response to Original message
 
5. It is a good idea to get information regarding the person your interview is with because some just automatically say no. You can ask for a change if you hear negative things about your interviewer. I had a advocate help me and they knew who to avoid.