GotOldEarly
Well-known member
After filing for Social Security Disability nearly 3.5 years ago I have had my 2nd and final hearing. The Judge decided in my favor (YEA !!! 
) and I should see my first payment in about 2 months. Unfortunately, the Judge would not recognize the entire period of 3.5 years, since I originally filed, when determining my back pay. He approved onset date (start date) of Jan. 1st 2018. Then 5 months is subtracted from that for the "Standard Wait Period". The net outcome of the whole, way too long, big mess is that my back pay will very nearly all be consumed to settle all my attorney commission and fees leaving little back pay money for me. That really does not bother me to much as I will have income going forward that I have been surviving without for the past 3.5 years.
Unfortunately, I will not have medical insurance provided by Medicare/Medicaid because I did have health insurance coverage 3.5 years ago when the original filing was made. I can get it in the future but there is a 30 month waiting period before I can apply for that. So, if I am still around on July 1st, 2020 I will then be able to get it. I've been doing without medical insurance for approx. the past 3 years, so what's another 20 months? At least I will have some income to help cover expenses in the meantime.
There are so many twists and turns involved in this process, many are by design, it ends up being so much more complicated than it really seems it should be.
I do have some advice for others seeking SSDI or considering it.
1) Get a good solid law firm working for you. Mine specialized in Social Security claims.
2) Be sure you have no health insurance coverage when you file so you have a shot at Medicare/Medicaid also.
3) Talk to as many people as you can that have successfully completed the process. Learn from their mistakes.
4) Get your documentation straight. Work history, conversation notes, copy all documentation submitted and date everything.
(Remember the details of things that were said and done, sometimes years ago, can be a challenge).
5) Stay positive and try to do something each day to keep the very slow federal ball moving forward.
5) Hope and pray that you get a good Judge assigned to your claim.
(My lawyer told me there was little to no hope when the 2nd to the worst possible Judges was assigned to mine.)
It is not an easy process. It is not intended to be an easy process.
I hope that anyone filling for SSDI or planning to has a better experience than I did and that they are victorious as well.
) and I should see my first payment in about 2 months. Unfortunately, the Judge would not recognize the entire period of 3.5 years, since I originally filed, when determining my back pay. He approved onset date (start date) of Jan. 1st 2018. Then 5 months is subtracted from that for the "Standard Wait Period". The net outcome of the whole, way too long, big mess is that my back pay will very nearly all be consumed to settle all my attorney commission and fees leaving little back pay money for me. That really does not bother me to much as I will have income going forward that I have been surviving without for the past 3.5 years.Unfortunately, I will not have medical insurance provided by Medicare/Medicaid because I did have health insurance coverage 3.5 years ago when the original filing was made. I can get it in the future but there is a 30 month waiting period before I can apply for that. So, if I am still around on July 1st, 2020 I will then be able to get it. I've been doing without medical insurance for approx. the past 3 years, so what's another 20 months? At least I will have some income to help cover expenses in the meantime.
There are so many twists and turns involved in this process, many are by design, it ends up being so much more complicated than it really seems it should be.
I do have some advice for others seeking SSDI or considering it.
1) Get a good solid law firm working for you. Mine specialized in Social Security claims.
2) Be sure you have no health insurance coverage when you file so you have a shot at Medicare/Medicaid also.
3) Talk to as many people as you can that have successfully completed the process. Learn from their mistakes.
4) Get your documentation straight. Work history, conversation notes, copy all documentation submitted and date everything.
(Remember the details of things that were said and done, sometimes years ago, can be a challenge).
5) Stay positive and try to do something each day to keep the very slow federal ball moving forward.
5) Hope and pray that you get a good Judge assigned to your claim.
(My lawyer told me there was little to no hope when the 2nd to the worst possible Judges was assigned to mine.)
It is not an easy process. It is not intended to be an easy process.
I hope that anyone filling for SSDI or planning to has a better experience than I did and that they are victorious as well.
