1. Community
  2. Brain and nerves
  3. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Applying for SSDI

Posted , 4 users are following.

GraySeal
GraySeal

Hi All,

I live in the US and am going to apply for SSDI. I know the routine is that we usually get rejected the first time, but I'm going to fill out the application to get started.

One of the questions is "date your medical condition started to affect your ability to work". Unlike some who started out with an infection, my fatigue came on gradually and has gotten progressively worse over years. I actually went back to school to find a desk job that would be more tolerable and then worked part-time and then couldn't work at all. I finally got diagnosed last year, haven't worked in a year and a half. I wonder if I should put when I quit my high intensity job in 2013? or when I quit my part time gig.

Anybody else have experience with applying for disability?

Thanks!

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • AndyC77
    AndyC77 GraySeal

    Edited

    Hi

    I am in England but had the struggle of getting disability benefits and i can only advise to not give away too much info, just tell them what they need. In terms of the question you mention my advise would be to say when you first had problems working with your illness. If your applications are anything like ours then when faced with answering yes, no, or sometimes, i put no then explained why in a face to face assessment. Not sure how they work over there though.

    • GraySeal
      GraySeal AndyC77

      Edited

      Thanks, good advice about not giving more info than is required. I tend to ramble on and get misinterpreted.

  • DiannaO
    DiannaO GraySeal

    Edited

    I live in the US and yes, it is very common to be turned down the first time. Your history is similar to mine. I've been turned down several times and here's what I think I understand about the question you're referring to (date that your condition started to affect your work) . My understanding is that when they say "ability to work" they mean that part-time or full-time... it doesn't really matter. You can work part-time and still squeak by with a meager wage and make a living. S****y as it may be. So if your condition didn't stop you from working part time and making enough money to eat and have shelter (even if you're on food stamps) than you were still capable of working.

    • GraySeal
      GraySeal DiannaO

      Posted

      Thanks! I'll have to think about that. The part-time job I had was at college and minimum wage - I was mostly living off savings.

    • AndyC77
      AndyC77 GraySeal

      Edited

      Good luck with you application, it wasnt a nice experience for me but i knew i had to have it. Look up websites or youtube videos for advice, we have a local charity in my town that helps people fill in those forms as you have to fill them in a certain way.

    • GraySeal
      GraySeal AndyC77

      Edited

      Thanks again. I'm glad you got it. I'll look up some youtube advice.

  • lynda62707
    lynda62707 GraySeal

    Edited

    hi GreySeal, typically, SSDI will begin at the first DOCTOR'S DIAGNOSIS!

    at least that's my experience.

    and yes. They will make you want to pull out your hair and roll over and die before they award it to you! they do that for a reason. they're hoping you'll get tired and frustrated and just quit!! DON'T!!! if you're legit, eventually you WILL get it....and it has to be prorated back to when you applied!

    it took my friend THREE YEARS to get it(I Know😱)... but she got thousands of dollars when it was done!

    • GraySeal
      GraySeal lynda62707

      Posted

      Hi Lynda62707,

      Thanks for the advice. I'm glad your friend finally got it. I will try and not give up, after all, what else am I going to do? I had to fight for state short-term disability (denied at first) but when I went before a judge he granted my appeal.

      I wish that there was a cure, or at least some objective marker that could be shown to demonstrate the diagnosis. I've heard of some things. Still in the learning phase.

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.