My story and update on SS disability

[iloveoliver]

I posted awhile ago about how I had filed and the previous day I had a huge lump sum payment from the US treasury for Social security disability. It represented 13 months of backup. There was some question on whether that money was exempt. Well my 341 was on May 14 and two days later the trustee posted in Pace that no presumption of abuse was found and she wished to be discharged. My status is now pending discharge. The discharge date is June 27th, 2 days from now. So I am assuming that the money is safe and that is GREAT news as it was a 5 figure number.

So all the stress is gon except for the 20 lbs I gained through the whole situation. Sometimes I feel guilty that all that debt could be gone so easily, POOF it's gone.

[PoorGrammyinBK7]

SS Disability!!

I find this interesting as I am also disabled and need to apply for the Social security disability. I have not worked or been able to work since July 2007.

What is the process like to file for that? I figure it will take a while to get approved. But how long? And how far back did they pay you - was it all the way back till the day you quit working? How did you file - online or by phone or in person?

I really need to do this, but right now I can't even find my social security card for the BK!!!

Any advice you can give me would be very much appreciated.

I am sure glad they did not count that as income against your means test or an asset! I had heard Social Security is exempt - but wasn't sure.

[arkienurse]

I find this interesting as I am also disabled and need to apply for the Social security disability. I have not worked or been able to work since July 2007.

What is the process like to file for that? I figure it will take a while to get approved. But how long? And how far back did they pay you - was it all the way back till the day you quit working? How did you file - online or by phone or in person?

I really need to do this, but right now I can't even find my social security card for the BK!!!

Any advice you can give me would be very much appreciated.

I am sure glad they did not count that as income against your means test or an asset! I had heard Social Security is exempt - but wasn't sure.

All I can say is HIRE A LAWYER THAT DOES SS DISABILITY FILINGS (yes, caps intentional, I meant to be yelling.)
My stepdaughter and her husband hired a lawyer and were able to get disability at the age of THIRTY, he for bad back, her for headaches and PTSD. My sister in law, age 50 something went it on her own and was denied. She has had one hip replaced d/t arthritis already, needs the other done, and has had surgery on her back so many times they can't do anything else. I feel the only reason she was denied, and the main reason they were approved, was the legal representation/ lack thereof.

And SS disability may be exempt, but we had to show SS survivor benefits for our son that came in our name at the time.

[iloveoliver]

I started to file online but then went down to the office. This was all done by my sister's suggestion/encouragement/demand. I lost my job in June 30, 2007. I had one hip replacement done in Mar 2005 and I probably lost my job because I could not physically keep up, even though I technically have, what most would think is a desk job....an engineer for an auto company. I did a lot of walking. I went on to have the other hip replaced in May 2007. I actually applied for disability in August 2007. I did not received that I was approved until Mar of this year. I did not hire an attorney. I have had others tell me that it is the norm to be denied the first time and then have to appeal. I did not have to do that. They did determine that my disability started the last day I worked for GM. I also have bipolar disorder which has been somewhat hard at times to control.

You will a SS number at least.

Hope all goes well with SS disability It is a long process. Actually I filed and forgot about it completely until I got the deposit in my checking acct. I did not think I would be approved.

[magyar123]

I filed myself (October 2005) by first completing all the forms, sent them to my local SS office. A few weeks later I was called in for an interview - and took with me a copy of my dotor's initial findings, proof of citizenship, etc. End of January was ordered to visit the SSA approved physician, who then confirmed my doctor's findings. During the first week of March received the approval letter from the SSA along with a note that soon I would receive a lump some payment of whatever it was which incuded the March benefit payment.

[AngelinaCat]

Congratulations iloveoliver!!! You are a mamber of the 60 Day Club!!!

You have alll our best wishes for a NEW start!!!