Hi All.

I put this information in another thread but I'd like to put it out where everyone can see it.

I was a Disability Claim Reviewer with major insurance company prior to my current occupation as a Barn Goddess. If you have any questions regarding Long Term Disability, Social Security Disability (I'm not very familar with SSI but I know a little), or Worker's Compensation (New York State only) please feel free to ask me. I'll help you to the best of my ability. I've learned so much from this forum and I'd like to give something back. I also have a decent medical background, and have a degree in Medical Records Technology. The horses, dogs, cats, goat, and chickens don't give a fig that I have my B.A. but it did cost me several thousand dollars so I thought I'd stick it in there.

Again, thank all of you for helping a fledgling homesteader.

Stacy Rohan in Windsor, NY where it's sunny but very windy.

-- Stacy Rohan (KincoraFarm@aol.com), March 23, 2001

Answers

I have some questains.I should write them on papper and get them organized first, but I'll just try to do it on the forum.I have applied for social security.I've had test done on my arms which seem to be weak,my hands get numb,ihave trouble using hammers,screw drivers.My elbows are always in pain.I've had test with ,what looks like a tuning fork with a wire hook to a machine,that gives electric schocks ,in my case it was to my arms and it gives a reading to the Dr. about wether or not I have nerve damage .He said there was signs of nerve damage.But I needed more test.I feel fatigue alot so he suggested I go for a test to see if I had Lupus.When I tried to get a test for Lupus,my primary care Dr.,no longer took my state insurance,.When I called the Insurance co,which takes waiting about 30 minutes to talk with someone while on hold,I was given 2 more Dr. names.When calling them I was told by both they have had trouble with the insurance co,and no longer deal with them.This was the same results I've gotten when I called the insurance co. 2 other times.I gave up and started to try to heal on my own.In applying for social security,they sent me to a Dr.who after looking in my ears and throat like an ordinary exam,he then took a papper clip and bent it open to make to a u and told me to close my eyes.He would poke my fingers and ask,do you feel 2 points or 1.He then said sorry but with what social sercurity pays him for test ,it's the best he can do.So I was denied social security on this exam.I figured if I was tested by my Dr. with a machine that looks like it must cost at least $10,000,and I still needed further testing.How can a 2 cent papper clip be justified as a tool to figure if I'm diabled or not.I'm still trying to get social security.But without proper varification of my illness,it's hard to prove my case.I've been out of work since 97.And if I didn't raise animals and a garden I'd be a lot thinner and hungrier than I am.And it's hard taking care of animals witout strength in my arms.I guess my questain is what is the best way to get social security in my case.I probably said more then needed,but I have a guilt complex that I'm not so productive,and I feel I've been forced by my illness to become a begger.That feeling is fortfied eveytime I deal with the caloused people in the social security office.Thanks for your kindness in wanting to help others ,Steve.If you have an answer you could post it or E-mail me direct

-- Steve (a12goat@cs.com), March 23, 2001.

Hi Steve,

You're right the absolutely most important part of applying for Social Security is having medical information that supports your total disability. First, contact every doctor that you have ever seen for your medical problems--all of them even if it doesn't seem like it's connected to the nerve damage. Second, reapply for Social Security Disability Benefits. Depending on when the first denial took place they may make you file a new claim instead of opening the first one. You really don't need an Attorney until the Administrative Law Judge level (third level after you have been denied twice) Most people are awarded at this level. Does your primary doctor support your disability? If he agrees that you cannot work then that's half the battle. The opinion of your doctor carries more weight than that of any other doctor. I think the most important thing is to appeal the denials within the time limit specified on the denial letter. So keep an eye on that.

Good luck.

Stacy Rohan in Windsor, NY

-- Stacy Rohan (KincoraFarm@aol.com), March 23, 2001.

Dear Stacy, Thank you for doing this, I'm sure you will get tons of questions. I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease in 1989. Had suffered from it since 1979, but it was never diagnosed. If you haven't heard of it, it is a disease where you have an overactive immune system. When there is no illness for the body to attack, it attacks itself. I have "lesions" from the esophagus down through the entire digestive system. This is extremely painful, kind of like a stomach ulcer, only throughout the system. It also gives you chronic diarhea. It was finally diagnosed when I sprained my shoulder and my doctor told me to take aspirin--I almost bled to death, had to have several transfusions, and several days in the hospital. The tests for it are awful--colonoscopy, upper and lower GI's, etc. While bemoaning to my doctor about missing work while in the hospital, he very nicely informed me that I would never be able to work outside the home again, and would be eligible for disability. When I called the Social Security office to find out how to apply, they asked a few questions, and said that I was not eligible because my husband made too much money, and that I would have to apply for a different type of SSI, and gave me another number to call. When I called that number, they said I wasn't eligible for theirs, because I hadn't made enough money in my lifetime, and referred me back to the first number. This went back and forth for several days, and finally they made an appointment for a telephone interview about a week later. (They originally wanted an in-person interview several hours away, and I pointed out that if I could be away from home for several hours, I could work!) Anyway, they called a few days before the interview to tell me I was not eligible for ANY program, because I hadn't made enough money and my husband made too much. I chalked it up to government BS and gave up. Then 1n 1994, one of my egg customers was diagnosed with breast cancer, and she got on SSI. She had never worked outside the home, and her husband was a lawyer. I asked her how she could be eligible under those circumstances, and she said they had originally tried to deny her, but that her husband had represented her, and she got the claim within a few weeks. When she told her husband about me, he was outraged that they were "doing that again". He assured me I was entitled to not only getting it, but getting it retro-active from when I was diagnosed, including payments for my children from 1989 until they turned 18. He was going to take care of it as soon as his wife got out of the hospital. Well, she died, he was devastated and left the area and went back East. I have tried to find a lawyer close enough by for me to see that would work on contingency, and there aren't any, I would have to go several hours away, and even with all the Imodium in the world, I just can't do it. Medical documentation in my case would be no problem, I have my family doctor, an internist, and hospital records. In fact, I could probably even afford a local lawyer now, but this is something I had given up on until I saw your post. I guess my question to you would be, is the "he makes too much, you don't make enough" a legitimate reason for denial? Oh, the people at social security DID tell me that I was "lucky" because when my husband dies, I will be eligible for HIS social security even if I'm not 65. Cheerful thought, huh? Thanks again. Kathie

-- Kathie in Western Washington (twinrosefarm@worldnet.att.net), March 23, 2001.

Hey Kathie,

There are two different benefits from Social Security Administration, Disability Benefits (SSDIB) and Social Security Insurance (SSI). All I know about SSI is that there are very severe income requirements, you have to be practically destitute to get it. SSDIB is regular Social Security Disability Benefits. There is a work hour requirement, I'm not exactly sure of the amount of time but I think it's 52 weeks within a three year period. I don't think it's a money amount per se but a work time. How long have you worked? If you are eligible they definitely won't go retroactive to 1989. They will go back to the most recent date that you filed. There are some Law Offices, Binder and Binder?, I believe that they have offices everywhere, that advertise on TV give them a call and see what they say I know that they would on contingent fee. They're probably on the Web too. Do you still see a doctor frequently? Crohn's is nothing to mess with. Make sure that you substaniate your illness with as much medical information as you can. Plus be persistent, if you are denied, appeal the decision as soon as possible.

Good Luck.

Stacy Rohan in Windsor, NY

-- Stacy Rohan (KincoraFarm@aol.com), March 23, 2001.

This is advice to Kathie,athough it's only what I've heard and I don't want to be the blind man leading the blind.But there may be a loop hole in your case and since you have medical documentaion,this might work.I've heard of someone who was in the same situation ,her husband made to much ,so she divorced him and they still lived together ,she just said they ate seperatly and didn't have joint bank accounts.Since I didn't know the people personally,I don't know if the husband had to pay more in taxes with one less dependent,I figure they came out better ,other wise they wouldn't have done it.It's an extreme thing to do ,but living in a country that's run like a buisness, one has to try different means to survive.I hope my advise wasn't offensive.I'm just trying to share the little I know.I spilled part of my personal life on this forum knowing others out there might have simular problems, and advice can be shared in hopes someone might get affected positively.

-- Steve (a12goat@cs.com), March 23, 2001.

Thanks Stacy for the helpful advice.I was once in a hurricane outside the U.S. mainland that left severe damage and left electric out for months.When it was over ,the first thing I thought was people are going to be deperate and start looting.Instead everyone was so thankful they diddn't die and people gathered in groups going around knocking on doors to find out who needed food and water.Everyone was helping and sharing.It was the greatest diplay of human nature I've ever witnessed.Your helpful advise and the hurricane situation are just reminders that there's hope for the human race,if we could all just help each other and trust that we'll come out ahead by doing so.Tommarow I'm going to help a ladie who feeds cats get a fishing hook out of it's mouth. Keep on helping

-- Steve (a12goat@cs.com), March 23, 2001.

Kathie,

My husband is on SSDisablity. Our experience was: we had to get a lawyer and here in KY (and I thought this was a federal law) you don't pay the lawyer up front. If you win your case and get retro-pay the judge will assign the lawyer a certain percent. In our case it was a very reasonable amount. My income had nothing to do with my husband's amount,they never even talked to me. It took about a year to settle the case but my husband got 3 yrs retro-pay, back to the date he couln't work anymore and his income was cut off. Around here, I've only met 1 person who didn't have to get a lawyer!

-- nobrabbit (conlane@prodigy.net), March 23, 2001.

Well, the whole thing "sucks". pardon my language. If and when, you have a person, born with severe dis-abilities (for whatever reason) We have one in our family, though we have envisioned ourselves, as promating and solving. We were nothing more when we finished, than when we began.

-- My Story (andIam@sticking.com), March 23, 2001.

Stacey, I want to say you are doing a great service and I thank you. My question, I have been on SSDI for 21/2 years. I was awarded permanent disability but told they review all cases in 5 to 7 years. Are there chances my disability will be denied at that review if my condition has not improved? I was awarded permanent disability after 1 appeal. Thank you Stacey.

-- bwilliams (bjconthefarm@yahoo.com), March 26, 2001.

On the subject of Social Security Disability reviews. Yes, they will do a review. Based on your diagnosis and level of disability it can be from minimal to maximal in its intensity-it usually involves requesting medical information from your doctor but you may have to go to their doctor. All people who are awarded SSDIB are considered totally disabled, but some peoples condition can improve over time. You have the longest length between reviews that you can get.

Stacy Rohan in Windsor, NY where it's snowing again! The dreaded "s" word.

-- Stacy Rohan (KincoraFarm@aol.com), March 26, 2001.

My queston is, I have a cousin that was injured at work. He has slipped disks in his neck. He had been reporting the pain for a couple years until this winter when it got real bad. THe boss never did anythng about it. Now workers comp says they won't do anythng about it. We toldhim to geta lawyer but he says too expensive. THe doctor told him to get a light duty job. He was running a de-limber machine in the woods. It's a pretty light duty job but the constant moving back and forht over the several years have caused the trouble in his neck. Any help will be gratefully accepted.

-- michelle (tsjheath@ainop.com), March 29, 2001.

Hi Michelle,

Did your cousin complete an accident report, or go to the Dr./Emergency Room when the injury first happened? Has he went to the Doctor for the neck problem since? He needs to gather all the medical information available regarding his injury, and go to an Attorney that specializes in Worker's Compensation claims. Worker's Compensation varies greatly from state to state and only an Attorney practicing in your cousins state will be able to know the ins and outs. Tell your cousin that most Worker's Compensation Attorneys work on a contingent fee, and the Attorney fees come out of the Worker's Compensation Benefits. He won't have any out of pocket expenses.

Stacy Rohan in Windsor, NY

-- Stacy Rohan (KincoraFarm@aol.com), March 29, 2001.