Oy. It sucks. I know they say everyone gets denied on their first application, but that doesn't make it less soul crushing. It is an endurance test, certainly, and for people operating on less than the normal amount of spoons, it is hard to see it as worth fighting for some days.
Hang in there as best you can, my dear. Keep writing what you can when you can, because it does feed your soul. Lean on your friends, both exterior and interior. Know that you are loved beyond words.
I don't care how many times they deny me, but a year between each one? I can't do that and come out the other side as anything I want to be. And they rely on that. They rely on people giving up. Which is a huge part of why I am determined not to do that.
I'll make them pay, even if it's a fucking pittance.
I'm so sorry, honey. Especially coming in when you were having a run of good days -- you didn't need bad news.
FWIW, you shouldn't feel bad about not having gotten a lawyer for your initial application -- I talked to several while I was working on Kira's filing (still no response -- you'd think the two inches of charts showing things like "8 hours of tachycardia out of 24" and "needs IV infusions of blood products to LIVE" would have gotten a reply, but nothing yet, and I'm trying to tamp down the tiny hope that they might approve her, because they probably won't, since she's managing to struggle through school), and they told me that lawyers do not help you fill out applications, they will only work with you once you've had the initial denial.While that sucks, it means that you don't have to kick yourself for not doing it in the first place (I kicked myself, too, and then later found out that I wouldn't have been able to do it anyway, which made me feel better
( ... )
I hope you know that even when you don't have hope, we have hope for you. *hugs*
I know they deny the first time up to weed out the people who aren't serious (I've heard), but I agree that it doesn't make it any less crushing. Because, yeah, a year between each answer?? Ugh, that's ridiculous...
What you've written applies about a lot of things. This is some food for thought today-- another way to look at something... personal. And a new word, for which I thank you. I never knew there was a term for summer dormancy/sleep.
The skew of the system terrifies and awes me, and it makes your anger utterly justified. I'm so sorry this was the initial outcome, and wish you the best of luck in the continued fight, but the fact is that you shouldn't have to continue the fight.
No, I shouldn't have to. The fact that I went into this resigned for 3 years of this shit is utterly ridiculous. That it should have to be this way. NOBODY should have to do this.
I have tears. For you and for me and for the suicide of hope. Because it feels like a kind of self-death when we have to crush our own hope. And the system is torturous, it tortures us all. My love to you.
Yup, it is a bit demoralizing for that initial NO letter. Its almost like the initial no is to get rid of those that will quit the claim process with the first denial.
My friend, who just recently won her benefit on appeal told me that they will be retro paying her from the first date of application. She also reports that big chunk of change just landed in her bank account. Apparently they move much more quickly with the repayment once you've won.
And do believe you will win your benefit and getting a lawyer involved is the best way to make sure you get what they owe you.
Yep. They drag it out and deny at least the first time on purpose to save money, hoping people will just give up. It would not surprise me if the employees had some sort of bonus involved... Or maybe got bad reviews if "too many" of their applicants got benefits. I have no proof of that with disability, but it's a known thing in insurance companies.
Once you do get the back settlement, ask the lawyers for CLEAR instructions about what you can and cannot spend it on. The stuff that SSDI gave us was at best confusing, and some was blatantly false.
I wish everyone dealing with this the very best. It ought not to be such a struggle.
Comments 15
Hang in there as best you can, my dear. Keep writing what you can when you can, because it does feed your soul. Lean on your friends, both exterior and interior. Know that you are loved beyond words.
Reply
I'll make them pay, even if it's a fucking pittance.
Reply
I'm so sorry, honey. Especially coming in when you were having a run of good days -- you didn't need bad news.
FWIW, you shouldn't feel bad about not having gotten a lawyer for your initial application -- I talked to several while I was working on Kira's filing (still no response -- you'd think the two inches of charts showing things like "8 hours of tachycardia out of 24" and "needs IV infusions of blood products to LIVE" would have gotten a reply, but nothing yet, and I'm trying to tamp down the tiny hope that they might approve her, because they probably won't, since she's managing to struggle through school), and they told me that lawyers do not help you fill out applications, they will only work with you once you've had the initial denial.While that sucks, it means that you don't have to kick yourself for not doing it in the first place (I kicked myself, too, and then later found out that I wouldn't have been able to do it anyway, which made me feel better ( ... )
Reply
I hope you know that even when you don't have hope, we have hope for you. *hugs*
I know they deny the first time up to weed out the people who aren't serious (I've heard), but I agree that it doesn't make it any less crushing. Because, yeah, a year between each answer?? Ugh, that's ridiculous...
Reply
What you've written applies about a lot of things. This is some food for thought today-- another way to look at something... personal. And a new word, for which I thank you. I never knew there was a term for summer dormancy/sleep.
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
My friend, who just recently won her benefit on appeal told me that they will be retro paying her from the first date of application. She also reports that big chunk of change just landed in her bank account. Apparently they move much more quickly with the repayment once you've won.
And do believe you will win your benefit and getting a lawyer involved is the best way to make sure you get what they owe you.
Reply
Once you do get the back settlement, ask the lawyers for CLEAR instructions about what you can and cannot spend it on. The stuff that SSDI gave us was at best confusing, and some was blatantly false.
I wish everyone dealing with this the very best. It ought not to be such a struggle.
Reply
Leave a comment