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[elvenqueen86]

Is anyone here on disability? If so did you get it easily or have to go through the whole process with lawyers and all that?? I'm only 18 and I've never worked because I've had CFS for 5 years... but anyways my parents pushed me to file for it so it'll be easier to pay for my prescriptions and so I'll have SOMETHING when I finally do move out.

Comments

[belou_moon]

It's alot harder to get disability then you think it would be.

[micklawson]

I'm in the UK and now on my 2nd appeal to get disability, I hope for your sake you find it easier than we do here.

here if you can cook a meal for yourself or walk more than 20 meters then you are instantly declined.

Remember though they have said for years that CFS is all in the head, maybe the psych may write a report on it?

Good luck

[x_shadowfax_x]

I'm 19 and haven't worked either due to CFS/ME. When I dropped out of uni in december my parents pushed me to get incapcity benefit (a uk disability benefit type thing) so that I'd have something to live off. I've been trying to claim since december, got rejected on medical grounds because I got saddled with a 'CFS is all in your head' type (Cretin) doctor and am currently appealing, but so far have heard nothing and that was 4 months ago. I wouldn't say its easy to claim benefits sadly because people are still so ignorant of ME/CFS and also how to deal with it on the very limited and structered requirments for benefits. I hope its different in your country, but you might be in for a rough ride to try and get it and the doctors/ss people can be quite disbeliving and ignorant at times. I've not heard of a psych medical being used for CFS/ME in the uk but its probably common place elsewhere.

Good luck and I hope you have an easy time of it.
Amanda:0)

[elvenqueen86]

Thanks everyone for the comments :-)
It seems that every country has their own problems with getting disability if you have CFS. I have a friend from Australia (met through my CFS board on DJ) who just got approved for SS (well their version of it, can't think of what it's called). Lucky! I keep seeing ads on TV now for lawyers that specialize in disability cases for people with CFS so if it DOES come down to that... at least I know where to find a lawyer... though I'm really hoping I don't have to go through all of that. Wish me luck! Thanks again everyone :-)

[00goddess]

I am going to have to apply this fall. My private insurer "strongly suggests" it. I hear it takes a couple of years for anyone to actually get it, though- they automatically decline most people.

btw, if you have never worked, it's not likely that you will get much of a benefit. Disability payments are based on what your income has been previously. If you have never had an income, then you can't get a benefit. This is just how it is in the US, though.

[elvenqueen86]

Yea I live in the US... my dad is on disability (unrelated - car accident) and I was told that even though I haven't worked that somehow because HE'S on disability I'd get good benefits. I have no idea how that works though.

[00goddess]

Hmm. If you were a minor, then I think the benefit for you would have been added to his benefit.

[elvenqueen86]

hmm... yea I know he was receiving benefits for me and my younger sister to begin with, but doesn't for me now that I've turned 18 (may).