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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> CH and Social Security Disability benefits
        
(Message started by: froggy on Mar 17^th, 2007, 3:54pm)

Title: CH and Social Security Disability benefits
Post by froggy on Mar 17^th, 2007, 3:54pm

A little while back I can remember reading about someone who was in the process of applying for Social Security benefits because the Chronic pain was so disabling. And as a result, they were not able to work.

Does anyone have a reference to this topic?

Title: Re: CH and Social Security Disability benefits
Post by Rosybabe on Mar 17^th, 2007, 3:56pm

yes, I think it was on a topic named : please help or something like that...

Title: Re: CH and Social Security Disability benefits
Post by Rosybabe on Mar 17^th, 2007, 5:13pm

hey, I found it! it is in the supporters corner under HELLO.

Title: Re: CH and Social Security Disability benefits
Post by froggy on Mar 17^th, 2007, 9:32pm

Rosybaby, thanks for the effort. I just read the whole thread "Hello" and didn't find anything on the subject.

There is a link with a print out that describes what this whole mess is about. I'll start with that.

Thanks again.

Title: Re: CH and Social Security Disability benefits
Post by BarbaraD on Mar 20^th, 2007, 6:07am

I applied for disbility to get on medicare (already on SS) and got turned down. May try it again. I really didn't fight it last time. But I haven't shown any work history for two years so should be eligible for Medicare this April if I can get approved.

If you can get your neuro to write it up right, it should be eligible, but it has to be done right and you have to be in really bad shape and not able to work.

You call SS and get the booklet of paperwork, make a pot of coffee and start filling it out. It's a pain in the rear and some of it doesn't really make sense. Make a copy of it before you send it in. Then they'll send you another packet to fill out. Do a telephone interview (you can go in, but the telephone interview is easeir). don't volunteer anything they don't ask. Send copies of everything you send to them to your congressman with a letter asking for his/her help (that usually gets attention). And wait, wait, wait. Takes three to six months usually and sometimes you have to go in for a physical.

You have to be disabled for 6 months before you're elgible for the first check. My husband got his first check 6 months to the day after he had a stroke so it can be done on the first try. There have been some here who have gotten it thru, but CH is a little more difficult to prove.

Good luck,

Hugs BD

Title: Re: CH and Social Security Disability benefits
Post by gore2424 on Mar 20^th, 2007, 9:46am

ok first I have been chronic since Nov 1999 before that spring and fall for 16 years so In Jan 2003 I was layed off from work due to a staff reduction (yeah right I had been selling auto parts and equipment for over 20 years but I was never at same place for over 5 years cause everyone wanted me so I moved to whoever paid the most) so I got on unemployment and flied for SSD after 5 months they said no so I appealed only this time I took them every paper work from ER visits (2-3 times a month) , hospital stays (DHE treatments 8 total in 5 years) , operations (went to Mayo clinic in Rochester Minn. and had trigeminal nerve cut BUT only got little over 4 months relief) , I had been keeping records almost every day from a book "Managing Pain Before It Manages You" a food diary, a pain diary, a thoughts diary, etc. since 1996 and I wrote a 17 page letter front and back on how the clusters have effected my life and family and work and the meds I was on and their side effects and turn that in to SS and in 3 months they said I would get SSD 3 days after my unemployment ran out so what I am saying is get every paper work that has to do with your clusters and write them how it effects your and your families life and write about the meds you have taken and are on now plus the side effects and have close friends and family too write about your pain
and how it effects your life I hope this helps anyone who needs SSD I am 52 and hope soon that I outgrow this pain cause I would go back to work as soon as I know for sure that I would not be chronic would go back to work if it went back to spring and fall only or maybe even not have these clusters anymore at all. Terry

Title: Re: CH and Social Security Disability benefits
Post by Superpain on Mar 21^st, 2007, 1:39am

Might ask Alchemy for advice on that...
Getting a ss disabilty is not a simple easy task.
I know a lawyer would be handy though...

Title: Re: CH and Social Security Disability benefits
Post by froggy on Mar 21^st, 2007, 9:31am

Thanks for the great advice. Yes, we have a lawyer and I know it will not be easy. Also, we have 18 years of all of the documentation and a nuero. that really has been working with us.

From what I have found in my research, some people are able to get it on the first try and others have to go to an appeals process. I'd rather have the help of my lawyer the first time around. We'll see what happens.

Good luck to anyone who truly needs this because CH disables them like my husband.

Title: Re: CH and Social Security Disability benefits
Post by taraann on Mar 21^st, 2007, 9:51am

I just got approved for SSD in May. I got it the first try. I have chronic CH among a history of migraines, fibromyalgia. But the #1 reason I was approved was for the CH. I have tried repeatedly to work over the years, have lost many jobs due to CH. I have a ton of medical records that showed docs, tests, dx, hospital stays, meds tried, etc. Documentation is very important, when you do apply make sure you keep copies of all the documents and papers you sent them for your own records.

I wasn't supposed to get medicare for up to 24 months after applying but I just received a letter in the mail saying I get it this upcoming may!

Title: Re: CH and Social Security Disability benefits
Post by taraann on Mar 21^st, 2007, 9:53am

on 03/21/07 at 09:31:19, froggy wrote:

I didn't use a lawyer. I think it's better to be personable with your case worker. Make sure they KNOW you are a real person, with pain, and struggles.

Title: Re: CH and Social Security Disability benefits
Post by froggy on Mar 21^st, 2007, 10:32am

Keep copies of the records that you send to them is what I keep hearing over and over.

Taraann, I'm thrilled for you especially about the medicare. What a relief that must be.