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Has anyone had success applying for Social Security Disability?
I needed to quit my visual art high school teaching job of 33 years due to my Bronchiectasis. I would frequently have bronchospasm, coughing for several minutes with difficulty breathing, sweats while trying to teach 5 classes per day of 40 students per class. The physical difficulties of lifting, bending over, talking all day were just too much. My fatigue also lead to many exacerbations of infection, antibiotics, and a PIC line in my arm while I taught school for 3 weeks. I needed to quit. Now, I am on the second phase of applying for disability with an appointed attorney. Has anyone else done this? I appreciate any advice. Kel
Replies
Hi Kel, I'm sorry to hear that you need to quit your teaching job. I don't have experience applying for disability, but below is a link that explains a few options (applying online, by phone, or in person) and has some information that you might find useful. Hope this helps!
https://www.ssa.gov/planners/disability/dapply.htm...
A good friend of mine just went through this at 38, for different health reasons. It is a process, but one that is necessary for your health and happiness. Just know there will be an end and resolution. I hope it goes smoothly for you. Hang in there!
Hello! Sorry to hear about your current issue. Yes, please check the website posted by Delia. You can always go to your local social security office, make an appointment on site-
These offices are usually busy; dependent where you live.
The process does take time. They will contact all of your current doctors for information.
Some people hire a lawyer to expedite the process; the lawyer will deduct his/ her fees once the case is settled.
Thanks everyone for responding. I have gone through the application with social security, been denied two times and have a lawyer who will help me with a hearing. I know that at this stage, I cannot work in a public setting because of my susceptibility to infections, and not being able to talk because of unpredictable coughing fits, asthma. Also, the fatigue means I am unable to have any energy most of the time. Anyway, hopefully my lawyer will help. There is a set of rules as to what they can charge when/if I receive the compensation.
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Wishing you so much strength as you push through this process, I am sure it gets very frustrating at times but you seem to be handling it so well. I'm happy to hear you are continuing and have found a lawyer who will work with you, I hope you have a successful hearing. Please keep us posted. Sending lots of positive thoughts your way! <3
We are in the process of dealing with SS for my daughter's disabilty. She is only 16 months old. We just received a letter saying that her disability has been since birth but because we are over the income limit for a family of 5 by roughly $200 a month, she is not eligible for the income or medical insurance......trying to fight it now. We are only trying to get her on the insurance. They do NOT make it easy! I hope you have better luck!
Yes, I won my case after pursuing it for three years. It helps to have a good attorney, the support of your pulmonologist, and enough knowledge about your disease to speak frankly about it with the judge if he/she asks you any questions. In my case, I wrote the judge a personal letter, describing my issues and concerns in graphic detail. He was given the letter prior to hearing my case.
A word of caution: Several years after winning my SSDI case, I felt guilty for not working, sick or not.. so I took a part time job. Your SS # is followed, and in time, I lost my disability funds for working. They concluded I must be well enough to work full time.
I appealed, and it took 2.5 years to get back on! Be wise. If you are truly sick, don't chance it
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