Patient Experiences: Applying for Disability Benefits

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   Jvernice Member

   <p>My attorney told me I would be denied two (2) times and then be seen in front of a judge and when the judge sees you, you will be granted disability benefits. He also said that this could take up to three (3) years. He was correct up to a point. Unfortunately, COVID hit and the process became drawn out. I was denied twice because of the title I had at my last job. My title did not accurately describe my job tasks and responsibilities. COVID changed the process where I would NOT be seen in-front of a judge, but would meet the judge in a phone call; not even a video. I was 63 years old when I was granted a hearing with a judge. The judge was notorious for denying claims and had an award rate of about 23%. The judge also had a vocationalexpert on the call. The vocational expert was a joke and claimed that I would be able to get a job as a computer data analyst. All of my doctors and EVEN AN SSA doctor stated that I was unable to sit or stand for more than 10-15 minutes without changing my position or lying down. Mind you, my AS is stage 3 and my spine is essentially entirely fused.<br/>I had to hire my own vocational expert that argued that not only would that position jeopardize my health, but I was NOT QUALIFIED to be a data analyst since I did not have any formal computer training or certification. After 50 years old, the SSA cannot change you job substantially from what you had been doing in the past. I was finally awarded benefits at 3 years after my initial application filing. The judge also did NOT award me benefits to the date I was considered disabled, but to a year after. This really got me upset, but my attorney suggested that we just accept the judgement. I did not put all the detail in this post, but it was a really frustrating process and they system did not favor AS patients.</p>

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