Disability: Waiting for a Decision

By Amanda Workman

2 min read

In 2017, I received my initial approval for disability. Unfortunately, I am currently under a regularly scheduled reevaluation. From my understanding, this happens every 3 to 5 years. My initial review was denied. This means that they looked at my records and they decided that I was well enough to go back to work based on the information they had available. Since I disagreed with this assessment, I filed an appeal.

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What did the disability appeal process look like?

The appeal process involved me collecting my medical records from all of my doctors. I also acquired letters from my doctors explaining their perspective on my inability to work. This was a massive job by itself.

Eventually, I had a hearing that required me to go in front of a judge. The judge verified that she had medical records from all of my doctors. She also asked me multiple questions about my ability to do things.

What was the vocational specialist's opinion?

After speaking with me, she spoke with a vocational specialist to see if, in his professional opinion, I would be able to perform the tasks of various jobs and retain those jobs.

I was very nervous about this part. This person did not know me and only had a limited summary of my medical challenges. Despite this, I knew their opinion would likely matter a good amount to the judge. Much to my surprise, he told the judge that he did not think I could successfully handle and maintain a job.

How have I been managing the waiting period?

It has been a couple of months since my hearing and I am still waiting for the verdict. It is so nerve-wracking. I pretty much worry every month that I will not receive my disability payment. It is very stressful to constantly be wondering if you will receive a letter saying that you are no longer eligible for your disability payments and your health insurance.

While part of me believes that the hearing went in my favor, you can never be certain. I also have a tendency to stress out about things, especially when I have no control over them. This is not good for my health in the long run but it is very hard to turn off.

What is the benefits continuation process?

The benefits continuation process allows you to continue to receive your disability payment every month while you are appealing the decision to end your disability. This process also allows you to keep your health insurance active.

These are very important processes for someone who has been living on disability. While my income is necessary, it is even more necessary that I do not lose my health insurance. I take a lot of medications and have many procedures every month, none of which would be possible without my health insurance.

What thoughts are swirling in my head?

While disability processes are not user-friendly, they are very important for those of us living with debilitating medical conditions. My journey has been a long and drawn-out process, but I am still hopeful for a positive outcome. I know I should have a contingency plan, but it is hard to have one when your health conditions drastically limit your ability to be productive.

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pigen51 Member
I have been on disability since about 2016. I have had one review since then, after the first 2 years. I just let them use my current doctor and neurologist at the time, and they found that I continued to be eligible under the rules. It is my understanding that while everyone is allowed to be reviewed every 3-5 years, Social Security actually only rechecks around 20% of those eligible. I guess due to financial and personnel reasons. The biggest thing that they look for is if you are continuing to be treated for the condition that you are on disability for. So in my case that would mean, do I regularly see my neurologist and continue to be treated for my condition? I am not on disability for just chronic migraines, but also for a bad back, which I broke at age 20 in a car accident. Combined with a life spent doing basically manual labor, my back is shot. I am not an expert on this by the farthest stretch that you could stretch, but from my investigation, I think that there are a few things that you can do to ensure that your recheck goes well. Of course, first is that you know that for you the condition continues to exist and you cannot hold down a real full time job. All of us would gladly trade our migraine condition for a life pain free and be able to go back to work. I don't even have to consider if a true migraine person would want to lie about their pain and nausea, physical and emotional issues, as well as our relationship damage, if we could wave goodbye to our migraines in the rear view mirror. That being said there are a few things that can make your review easier and likely to go in your favor. First, keep any records that you get from treating migraines and related issues. So any doctors visits made for that reason including mental health reasons due to migraine. Many of us know the depression that so very often accompanies migraines. Second, although it could have been listed first, is to make sure that your medical helpers are aware of your disability and your social security relationship. Having your neurologist on your side when getting audited is super important. One last thing that is to not assume that you will get audited, but be mentally prepared for one, and don't fear it, but try to use it to mentally bolster that in your heart you understand that the reason for your SSD is not due to any fault or being a slacker or lazy, but that you actually have a medical condition that limits what you can do. Don't be afraid to enlist someone to help that has been through this before, or who has helped someone that has faced a recheck. Remember that your neurologist or doctor likely has had others in the same place of facing an audit and they probably know what the government is looking for as proof that you continue to qualify for disability. Even if you have to make an appointment with your doctor to get advice and to make sure you are on the same page is money well spent. Again, I have to stress that I am not in any way, shape, or form an expert on most anything. This is just a few things that I believe may help someone in the same place that we often find ourselves. And don't allow feelings of worry overwhelm you. Just be honest and have facts at hand. In reality, nearly every single investigator had no skin in the game and only wants to make sure that you continue to meet the rules for disability. It is simply a matter of making sure that you still meet the qualifications for disability, and you will continue to be listed on SSD as a beneficiary. They are not out to get you, they are just doing their job. By that same token, if you feel like they made a determination in error, appeal that determination and enlist the help of a specialist like a disability attorney to guide you into what information will boost your chances of winning what you have already been determined to deserve once before. I wish you and anyone else facing an audit the best, and don't let it make you emotional but instead let it encourage you into getting your proof once again, or your ducks in a row as has been said before. Many pain free days for all, and no matter what keep your hearts light. As a Christian I must mention that we need to remember that God is in control, and the outcome is already in His hands. We might need to work with Him to gain a positive outcome, just like Moses had to raise his hands for the Red Sea to part for the Jews. Moses raised his hands, but the victory belongs to a just and loving God. May you be blessed.
1. Tonya Henry Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="pigen51" user-id="3906478"/> thank you for this very detailed comment!! I think these are all great points. Like you stated, keeping the records and a good relationship with the providers, is great. Something that I found, that you mentioned here, is that the VA also does this when looking at continued disability. I have seen veterans that start getting disability and stop going to follow ups. If the continue did get better and you feel you can go back to work, that is great. If you just stop going to follow ups because you do not want to, that is going to hurt you. Thank you for pointing that out. I hope that you are having a wonderful and pain-free weekend!! (Tonya, team member).