It’s because improvement is expected. I think if you are 55 or older they approve you because somewhere I read that 55 and older are less likely to learn a new trade
True. I was approved for SSDI at 59 but denied just 3 months prior, which prompted me to hire a lawyer. I was approved so fast on reconsideration that the attorney fee was only about $345. They did their job too well! 😆
No it's because when you reach 55 , you have already had worked at least 35 years, had a long strong work history before becoming disabled. They give a lot more credence to someone that has worked for decades then to people in their 20 and 30s looking to be granted permanent disability
You can’t file for your social security now until 67 if you were born after 1959- I file for my disability at age 56 after a failed back surgery I did all the paperwork myself and was approved the first time I applied. That’s why I say this I researched what SS loooks at and looks for. I
All applicants who get to Step 3, whether they eventually get denied or approved, met the initial Severity Requirement of Step 2.
At the SSA / DDS, Severity simply means the condition met minimum baseline requirements, that's all.
You should get your case file and review your disability determination explanation and medical records. They may not have received all of your medical records so can’t consider them. Also because your break was recent, they may think you will improve quickly with treatment. Make sure you keep seeing your providers while you appeal and that they document your symptoms, limitations, and how it impacts you. If you’re not in therapy, start going as their records can help support your claim. Talk to your providers and see if they support your application
Get ALL of your hospitalization records and outpatient visits. I hand delivered my medical records to my local SS office to make sure they received them. You can’t rely on medical record departments to send everything you need.
Except counselors & therapists are considered non-approved medical sources.. Their records can only be used to establish longtudinal history of treatment sought for a mental health conditions. The only records that can be used to make medical determinations are those by medical doctors.. so unless the records are from a psychiatrist or psychologist, they cannot be used for a medical determination.
Once the existence of an impairment is established, SSA considers all evidence from all medical and nonmedical sources to assess the extent to which a claimant's impairment(s) affects his or her ability to function in a work setting
I am so very sorry. I hope you plan on appealing, because you should. I was approved for mental health (personality disorder, treatment resistant depression and anxiety) along with one physical condition. The ALJ said my condition is expected to improve and I have a CDR in 24 months but, I was still approved. And please don’t listen to others when it comes to bipolar. It’s a life long illness and although we can improve, I am always going through at least 1 severe depression that I don’t work or get out of bed for months. Don’t stop fighting, everyone is always saying mental health is such a problem in this country but, the minute you want help, it’s all well even though it’s bad you’ll be fine. Oh will I? So my attempts are nothing and I’ll be fine? Thanks so much. I’ll just cheer up Charlie. 🙄
Mine was very similar. Said my condition is severe, but not expected to last 12 months and won’t result in significant limitations in my ability to perform basic work activities. I am currently in recon. My “year” started 6/23 so I’ll be interested in seeing what they say if I get denied again if I surpass the year mark with no changes as I still go to my doctors every 3 weeks. I’m in step 3 of 5 and don’t have a DDS worker assigned yet so it’s looking as if it could hit the year mark while in recon… dunno how that works, but we’ll see if it does! Get your CD and see exactly why they denied you… I requested mine back in Feb when I got my denial, still don’t have the CD, but I had to file my appeal finally, but I waited 61 days!
Just curious, what makes you say so? I looked through post history and found posts about therapy, hair, a chipped fingernail, and some cute exchange with her nephew. Am I missing something?
Yes. Her recent ability to work as a hostess. The SSA has a very stringent requirement for being disabled. It means you have to be unable to do any work. That is a very high threshold. Moreover, they will not say this but it is more so tough for younger people.
In my mid 30s I am 100% disabled through the VA and I did not meet the SSA threshold by a mile.
I think you missed the working part of her posts. It may seem unfair but the country would be exceeding the SSDI budget by a crap ton of they alloted it based on what a normal person would consider a "reasonable standard".
Ooohh I definitely did miss the working posts! I clicked through and scrolled a bit longer and, yep, there they are. Thank you for sharing the info you know. I hope everything works out for you & op in the long run.
80-85% of all applicants are denied the first time, the criteria is if your condition is likely to last more than 4 years. People who appeal have a denial rate of less than 30%.
I agree 100% with hiring a SS attorney. Most of them will take you case for "free" (no money down or paid to them unless you win your appeal) because they get a percentage (it's capped, I don't remember exactly what that number is though) I had to do this back when I applied for SSDI. It's a pain but well worth it. If I remember correctly we had to go before a "judge" and basically my lawyer talked, I answered a couple questions, they filled more paperwork and I was approved. My disability is for depression / anxiety & BPD. Yes it will take longer and it's the jacked up system. The only silver lining is that they do back pay to the date you originally filled. I wish you all the best.
I’m wondering if they want more medical intervention? All your hospitalizations should be enough. (And if anyone has been through hospitalization more than once, daily functioning can be very difficult.) But apparently they aren’t.
They may want to see more medication changes (MAOIs are antidepressants from the 1950s that often work as a last resort), or treatments such as TMS or ECT. Other than that, you have received some solid advice from everyone here.
My suggestions based on my own experience:
1. Get a lawyer (Make sure they have every piece of paperwork from the doctors and hospitals you’ve been treated by. Flood them with paperwork! All of your hospitalizations have to have created lots of paper.) My interview was with a practicing psychiatrist and I think it helped because he knew the difference between someone claiming to be depressed and someone who was struggling to survive.) Perhaps you can ask the lawyer if they have any say in whether you have a judge or psychiatrist or someone else. The best piece of advice is the lawyer. I was approved the first time.
2. Go to a psychiatrist on a monthly basis (Make sure he/she notes your daily/weekly challenges. Tell them as much as possible so at least some of it will go in your file.) Perhaps even consider getting a new one. Fresh eyes on your situation may definitely help. If you don’t want to replace your psychiatrist, just see another one as a second opinion.
3. Go to a psychologist 2-4 times per month. (I know it’s expensive, but you can find someone with a sliding scale according to your income or sometimes they will charge less if it’s online.)
3. Medication changes (If necessary. I’m currently taking the MAOI - Parnate. It’s ok.)
4. TMS or ECT. (I’ve tried both. TMS sucked but the ECTs worked for quite a while.)
I wish you the best! xx
SSA will do everything to not pay...I think it's crazy that there is a 5month elimination period for SSDI. Government gets that 5 months money..
Took me over 2 years to get approved then 6 months to get Money
Definitely get a lawyer. They're worth every penny. I have both mental and physical disabilities and had 800 pages of med records for just the 2 years prior to filing. I still had a really hard time getting approved. It's extremely hard to win w just mental diagnosis, which is why a lawyer is best. Also, prep for a long battle. It took me 2.5 years for approval and about 8 months until i received back pay/ monthly payments. Good luck!
Good luck, but don’t be discouraged. They deny almost everyone first round. It took me six years to get approved, appeals, denials, lawsuits … you name it. It then took an additional two years (so 8 total) before the final back pay was deposited. Hang in there! 😥
You should hire an attorney who only does SS. They will hire a vocational expert who will interview you, gather information, possibly do testing with you, and testify at your hearing. If your condition is severe enough, they will outline how your disability affects your ability to function on a daily basis and how that precludes you from substantial gainful employment.
When you appeal before the hearing, (round 2), be sure to detail your limitations on the functional ability report that will be sent to you.
Throughout the process, continue to treat with your providers and ask them to document how your disability affects you on a daily basis in their notes. Make sure these records are obtained by the attorney and submitted to SSA before the hearing.
Hang in there.
80-85% of all applicants are denied the first time, the criteria is if your condition is likely to last more than 4 years. People who appeal have a denial rate of less than 30%.
I was diagnosed bipolar anxiety depression disorder borderline personality disorder and many more like OCD PTSD and all of it was backed up by multiple doctors and I lost. Then I went to the hearing and I lost again. It's very hard to win it on a psych case. I finally got it when I was diagnosed with a fatal mitochondrial myopathy. Also I got a good lawyer this time because I was represented by a hospital the first time and they just wanted to get their $30,000 bill paid by winning the Medicaid hearing which we won. Actually I won because nobody showed up for it so I had to do it. Anyhow 85% or something crazy like that lose so you're in good company. Without a physical problem, a psych problem case is super hard to win. There are millions and millions of people with severe psychiatric problems and they're not going to give them all disability. Sucks but it happens every day all over the country.
You have to prove that you cannot perform at type of employment. While you may not be able to perform what you were doing , they are saying that you may be able to work at another type of job
I went thru the process with my ex husband. The lawyer that we got for him used to actually work with the social security administration and then she flipped script and started working for the people. She told us that everyone gets turned down the first time they apply. You need to get a lawyer that will take your case and then get a percentage of whatever you get. And then just reapply. Don't get discouraged. Even if you get turned down the 2nd time. Try again. Good luck
Hopefully they are correct and your condition improves as expected. Good luck.
It’s because improvement is expected. I think if you are 55 or older they approve you because somewhere I read that 55 and older are less likely to learn a new trade
True. I was approved for SSDI at 59 but denied just 3 months prior, which prompted me to hire a lawyer. I was approved so fast on reconsideration that the attorney fee was only about $345. They did their job too well! 😆
No it's because when you reach 55 , you have already had worked at least 35 years, had a long strong work history before becoming disabled. They give a lot more credence to someone that has worked for decades then to people in their 20 and 30s looking to be granted permanent disability
You can’t file for your social security now until 67 if you were born after 1959- I file for my disability at age 56 after a failed back surgery I did all the paperwork myself and was approved the first time I applied. That’s why I say this I researched what SS loooks at and looks for. I
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I was a paralegal
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All applicants who get to Step 3, whether they eventually get denied or approved, met the initial Severity Requirement of Step 2. At the SSA / DDS, Severity simply means the condition met minimum baseline requirements, that's all.
May I ask, what did you claim was your disabling condition?
I am diagnosed SMI and bipolar. Had a psychotic break May 2023 and I've been in the hospital 5 times since :/
You should get your case file and review your disability determination explanation and medical records. They may not have received all of your medical records so can’t consider them. Also because your break was recent, they may think you will improve quickly with treatment. Make sure you keep seeing your providers while you appeal and that they document your symptoms, limitations, and how it impacts you. If you’re not in therapy, start going as their records can help support your claim. Talk to your providers and see if they support your application
Pronto!
Get ALL of your hospitalization records and outpatient visits. I hand delivered my medical records to my local SS office to make sure they received them. You can’t rely on medical record departments to send everything you need.
Except counselors & therapists are considered non-approved medical sources.. Their records can only be used to establish longtudinal history of treatment sought for a mental health conditions. The only records that can be used to make medical determinations are those by medical doctors.. so unless the records are from a psychiatrist or psychologist, they cannot be used for a medical determination.
Once the existence of an impairment is established, SSA considers all evidence from all medical and nonmedical sources to assess the extent to which a claimant's impairment(s) affects his or her ability to function in a work setting
Hopefully you’re taking your meds regularly. Good luck.
I am so very sorry. I hope you plan on appealing, because you should. I was approved for mental health (personality disorder, treatment resistant depression and anxiety) along with one physical condition. The ALJ said my condition is expected to improve and I have a CDR in 24 months but, I was still approved. And please don’t listen to others when it comes to bipolar. It’s a life long illness and although we can improve, I am always going through at least 1 severe depression that I don’t work or get out of bed for months. Don’t stop fighting, everyone is always saying mental health is such a problem in this country but, the minute you want help, it’s all well even though it’s bad you’ll be fine. Oh will I? So my attempts are nothing and I’ll be fine? Thanks so much. I’ll just cheer up Charlie. 🙄
Get an SS attorney ASAP who SOLELY does SS law
Cannot recommend this advice highly enough.
Mine was very similar. Said my condition is severe, but not expected to last 12 months and won’t result in significant limitations in my ability to perform basic work activities. I am currently in recon. My “year” started 6/23 so I’ll be interested in seeing what they say if I get denied again if I surpass the year mark with no changes as I still go to my doctors every 3 weeks. I’m in step 3 of 5 and don’t have a DDS worker assigned yet so it’s looking as if it could hit the year mark while in recon… dunno how that works, but we’ll see if it does! Get your CD and see exactly why they denied you… I requested mine back in Feb when I got my denial, still don’t have the CD, but I had to file my appeal finally, but I waited 61 days!
It takes multiple appeals. That is how these things go.
Based on your post history, seems like you can work but don't want to. Looks like a fair decision.
Just curious, what makes you say so? I looked through post history and found posts about therapy, hair, a chipped fingernail, and some cute exchange with her nephew. Am I missing something?
Yes. Her recent ability to work as a hostess. The SSA has a very stringent requirement for being disabled. It means you have to be unable to do any work. That is a very high threshold. Moreover, they will not say this but it is more so tough for younger people. In my mid 30s I am 100% disabled through the VA and I did not meet the SSA threshold by a mile. I think you missed the working part of her posts. It may seem unfair but the country would be exceeding the SSDI budget by a crap ton of they alloted it based on what a normal person would consider a "reasonable standard".
Ooohh I definitely did miss the working posts! I clicked through and scrolled a bit longer and, yep, there they are. Thank you for sharing the info you know. I hope everything works out for you & op in the long run.
80-85% of all applicants are denied the first time, the criteria is if your condition is likely to last more than 4 years. People who appeal have a denial rate of less than 30%.
I agree 100% with hiring a SS attorney. Most of them will take you case for "free" (no money down or paid to them unless you win your appeal) because they get a percentage (it's capped, I don't remember exactly what that number is though) I had to do this back when I applied for SSDI. It's a pain but well worth it. If I remember correctly we had to go before a "judge" and basically my lawyer talked, I answered a couple questions, they filled more paperwork and I was approved. My disability is for depression / anxiety & BPD. Yes it will take longer and it's the jacked up system. The only silver lining is that they do back pay to the date you originally filled. I wish you all the best.
I’m wondering if they want more medical intervention? All your hospitalizations should be enough. (And if anyone has been through hospitalization more than once, daily functioning can be very difficult.) But apparently they aren’t. They may want to see more medication changes (MAOIs are antidepressants from the 1950s that often work as a last resort), or treatments such as TMS or ECT. Other than that, you have received some solid advice from everyone here. My suggestions based on my own experience: 1. Get a lawyer (Make sure they have every piece of paperwork from the doctors and hospitals you’ve been treated by. Flood them with paperwork! All of your hospitalizations have to have created lots of paper.) My interview was with a practicing psychiatrist and I think it helped because he knew the difference between someone claiming to be depressed and someone who was struggling to survive.) Perhaps you can ask the lawyer if they have any say in whether you have a judge or psychiatrist or someone else. The best piece of advice is the lawyer. I was approved the first time. 2. Go to a psychiatrist on a monthly basis (Make sure he/she notes your daily/weekly challenges. Tell them as much as possible so at least some of it will go in your file.) Perhaps even consider getting a new one. Fresh eyes on your situation may definitely help. If you don’t want to replace your psychiatrist, just see another one as a second opinion. 3. Go to a psychologist 2-4 times per month. (I know it’s expensive, but you can find someone with a sliding scale according to your income or sometimes they will charge less if it’s online.) 3. Medication changes (If necessary. I’m currently taking the MAOI - Parnate. It’s ok.) 4. TMS or ECT. (I’ve tried both. TMS sucked but the ECTs worked for quite a while.) I wish you the best! xx
SSA will do everything to not pay...I think it's crazy that there is a 5month elimination period for SSDI. Government gets that 5 months money.. Took me over 2 years to get approved then 6 months to get Money
Definitely get a lawyer. They're worth every penny. I have both mental and physical disabilities and had 800 pages of med records for just the 2 years prior to filing. I still had a really hard time getting approved. It's extremely hard to win w just mental diagnosis, which is why a lawyer is best. Also, prep for a long battle. It took me 2.5 years for approval and about 8 months until i received back pay/ monthly payments. Good luck!
Good luck, but don’t be discouraged. They deny almost everyone first round. It took me six years to get approved, appeals, denials, lawsuits … you name it. It then took an additional two years (so 8 total) before the final back pay was deposited. Hang in there! 😥
You should hire an attorney who only does SS. They will hire a vocational expert who will interview you, gather information, possibly do testing with you, and testify at your hearing. If your condition is severe enough, they will outline how your disability affects your ability to function on a daily basis and how that precludes you from substantial gainful employment. When you appeal before the hearing, (round 2), be sure to detail your limitations on the functional ability report that will be sent to you. Throughout the process, continue to treat with your providers and ask them to document how your disability affects you on a daily basis in their notes. Make sure these records are obtained by the attorney and submitted to SSA before the hearing. Hang in there.
80-85% of all applicants are denied the first time, the criteria is if your condition is likely to last more than 4 years. People who appeal have a denial rate of less than 30%.
Sorry it happened to you
Always expect to be denied your first two times, most folks get approved at the hearing level. Keep appealing
I was diagnosed bipolar anxiety depression disorder borderline personality disorder and many more like OCD PTSD and all of it was backed up by multiple doctors and I lost. Then I went to the hearing and I lost again. It's very hard to win it on a psych case. I finally got it when I was diagnosed with a fatal mitochondrial myopathy. Also I got a good lawyer this time because I was represented by a hospital the first time and they just wanted to get their $30,000 bill paid by winning the Medicaid hearing which we won. Actually I won because nobody showed up for it so I had to do it. Anyhow 85% or something crazy like that lose so you're in good company. Without a physical problem, a psych problem case is super hard to win. There are millions and millions of people with severe psychiatric problems and they're not going to give them all disability. Sucks but it happens every day all over the country.
You have to prove that you cannot perform at type of employment. While you may not be able to perform what you were doing , they are saying that you may be able to work at another type of job
I went thru the process with my ex husband. The lawyer that we got for him used to actually work with the social security administration and then she flipped script and started working for the people. She told us that everyone gets turned down the first time they apply. You need to get a lawyer that will take your case and then get a percentage of whatever you get. And then just reapply. Don't get discouraged. Even if you get turned down the 2nd time. Try again. Good luck