Is anyone on disability for their MS?

Christina - posted on 11/23/2012

Hi ,..Yes I am on disability... I live in California... it took a couple of trys but it was worth it , The stress of work and the pain that we offen feel is more then we can handle...Stress is something that we should all stay away from as much as possible...So yes dear, its worth it

Jessica - posted on 12/28/2010

Yes I am also on Disability ..... It only took about a month to get onto it as it was a switch from my SPP. I am in Australia and our system is a bit better run than the US but as long as you get your doc to sign the form you should be ok to get onto it.

Diana - posted on 09/04/2010

hi! I used to be a Paraprofessional, then a Parent Liaison at a school but I couldnt handle it anymore...I was always in the hospital or with constant pain that my husband and I spoke about the SSDI. I needed to do something because i would get home from work so tired, and in pain I couldnt take care of my two children or cook. So it was time to do it. I actually applied on my own, all of my doctors followed thru with all my records and I got approved in four months. I live in Jersey by the way. I was surprised that it came fast! It is a very tough decision to make but you have to think about your health and in taking care of your baby. So good luck if you do go ahead with it! Go for it!

THERESA AKA TERRIE - posted on 02/12/2010

I just got ssi. t wasnt as hard as I thought. I never had to get a lawyer either.

Francesca - posted on 09/28/2009

You have to consider what is best for you and your family. And taking care of your health now so that way you can continue to do those stupid things that make your daughter happy!



I am currently on disability. But I don't plan to be on it forever. I stay current in my professions literature and make sure I mingle and volunteer whenever I can. But for now a full time job would not only put an unreasonable stress on myself but also my long term ability to care for my daughter. Times are tight, but that is what I felt was best for us.



There is no magic formula for success, especially when you are dealing with MS. We each have to choose our paths and seek out support whenever and whereever we can.



Good Luck

Christina - posted on 09/07/2009

I hope it all works out. I just started my application. I've known about my MS for a year now and I've been in the hospital for it almost every three months. I hope it goes through for me. My husband and I have a 2yr old and an 8yr old and losing our medical insurance.

Gina - posted on 08/20/2009

Hello, yes I am on disability. I was working as a customer service rep. in a very stressful company. Brighthouse Networks, and the very first time that I tried for disability i got it..

DEB - posted on 08/18/2009

Hi, I recvd SSD and. want to tell you to start it first online.
Then save it all -print it out .
I did this and the office still told me they lost the paperwork/file. I followed up with another try and then again they lost my file in their office. I had the copies agai and then hired an atty that the MS society had sugggested. It was great from then on. All my preliminary work payed off. I recdv the Soc Sec Disability w/i 2 years of first starting the application.
good luck,,,my son is also getting an amt. He is only 11yo. It is great since I will never have a paycheck again.

Carrie - posted on 07/29/2009

Hi. I have been on disability for a year and a half now. I hired a lawyer to help get all my paper work in order and I still got denied the first time. It helps out to get the money every month, but remember your monthly ampount depends on how much you have already paid into Social Security. I was only 27, so I had only paid into SS for 6 years so my monthly check is less then half the amount I was getting from working. I am very appreciative to receive it because my MS has progressed so much working is not an option right now. Just make sure that you learn the system and are prepared for the changes that will result. Take care of yourself so you can take care of your kids.

Nicole - posted on 07/02/2009

Hmmm, thats interesting. You really have to plan this out years in advance. Right now I have been on maternity leave for a year nonpaid which has been financially difficult but at least I wasn't at work but now I have to go back at least 13 weeks before I can go on short or long term disability through my job. That can last up to a year but it ends up being only half pay. So if I play that game, go out come back then go out again, I would be lowering my salary right before I may try for state disability. I guess I should call them to plan this right. My doctor said it is very difficult to get approved and didn't think I would since what I'm feeling doesn't show in her exams so I may have a hard time, who knows. And of course it's scary because I have a job just don't think I can do it anymore and with this economy leaving a job with good benefits is scary. Thankfully my husband works for Verizon as well and I could be covered under him for free. I'm definately going to check out their website, thanks for the info :o)

Kimberly - posted on 07/02/2009

Allsup is a non-attorney representative...they have a web-site - I was impressed because most of the stuff is done over the phone or throught mail...I have a hard time getting out and they had a 93% acceptance rate. That amount sounds right...it is 25% of what you are making since I waited so long and tried to work...I lost some because they take your last few years of pay to base your rate...trying to go back to work at a lower rate of pay hurt my amount...but not too much. I could not apply for my kids until I was approved but allsup put my kids on a "protection" when I filed...so I will start the process with them next week. The great thing about Allsup is they can talk to you now and give you all the info you need....they were very good about everything...check out their website. I applied the first time on my own...which probably led to the denial...but you can have Allsup at the beginning...let me know what you think...I can give you the name of my rep if you need it...check out their website...I hope all is well.

Nicole - posted on 07/02/2009

Is Allsup a lawyer firm? I actually went to the Social Security office to change my name to married name on ss card and asked the lady if I were to get physical disabilty what would I get and I was surprised how much. Maybe this lady was wrong but she told me $1883 a month and each child (I have one) will get half that about $900 more. That seems like too good to be true. I actually just found out I may have Lupas on top of MS so I am on medication for both, yay! So I would hope I would get approved also but so far I as still utilizing my company's benefits. So I can wait a few years but I am interested in getting all the info I can in case my body can't wait the years I plan to.

Kimberly - posted on 07/02/2009

I was just approved this week. It took me along time to apply...because I thought my MS would go away...but I am finding out it doesn't. I quit working in 2005 - tried to work again in 2007 - August of 2008 I finally applied...I used Allsup because I just could not face all the paperwork and stuff you need to go throught...I was denied once..but ALLSUP did an appeal in February and it was approved in June with no hearing...they paid be back to 2005 - It is not an easy thing to face...but it is worth it in the end...I kept thinking my MS was just going to get in the way a little...but...as we all know...it just is what it is...good luck with anyone applying!!

Sarah - posted on 04/18/2009

I know what you mean Sarah, I am in Washington too. I applied in October of 2007 and am still waiting. I am pretty sure I will be denied at the hearing though. My husband makes "to much money" which is a joke. Being in the Army and supporting a family of six is not easily done. Also, my work history isn't what it needs to be. The rules are different the younger you are so since I was 25 when I first applied they only count the proir 4 years. Since I worked since I was 16 until I was 22 I don't have enough credits because they will only count 2 of those years. I'm not happy but we will see how it goes.

Sarah - posted on 03/11/2009

I applyed in June of 2006 and still have not gotten approved.  My neurologist said that they dont even look at what he has to say it is a panel of doctors.  I am waiting for a hearing right now that is anywhere from 6-12 months away.  When I am FINALLY approved I will get paid all of the way back to day one, which will be nice.  All of the research I have sone shows that my state (Washington) is the absolutely worse state in the country for approving disability.  Which really sucks for me.  I just wish it would hurry up.

Shannon - posted on 03/11/2009

apply for SSDI and if denied there are programs that can help you. I have a three year old daughter and can not pick her up. You have to do what is best for your family where SSDI can be a long fight DO NOT WAIT! I finally got approved after a appeal and two years best of luck and i will pray for you and your family/.

Crystal - posted on 03/11/2009

I live in Nova Scotia Canada and I am not receiving a disablity...It's very hard to get here, you pretty much have to be "on your last legs" so to speak! When I was first diagnosed I had an office desk job...that I was forced out of because my employer at MITTEN INC.was a complete jerk, I even had to get a layer to help but that didn't even work! now I run my own childcare business from home where I look after school aged children.(and make more money!) This gives me a good break inbetween because I only have them 30 minutes in the morning, an hour at lunch and 3 hours after school! The positive energy of the children keeps me going! :)

Kim - posted on 03/10/2009

I am on disability retirement from my employer of 20 yrs and I get social security. My neurologist must have worded everything right and my work record was very good up until I got dx. So I got mine practically on my first try.

Kim

Shannon - posted on 03/06/2009

I am on ssdi and it took 2 years 2 hearings and a lot of work to make sure they were truly receiving the medical documentation! it is worth it when all is said and done. It is really to bad because you "can look so good" but be unable to hold a fair paying job so they need to look into helping MS patients

Amy - posted on 03/05/2009

I'm on a disability pension, but am in Australia, I am sure our support system is quite different to the US.

Shannon - posted on 02/27/2009

I am 33 mom with MS I am on ssdi took two and a half years looking for other MS moms in Southern NH

Lindsay - posted on 02/24/2009

Hi, I am on SSDI...it took a year and a half to get it which is considered to be a shorter amount of time. I went to an interview and was turned down the first time. Make sure that you are honest about what is happening to you emotionally and to your mental health, bring your baby so that they may see how you struggle with lifting etc. If you have any other med. conditions make sure that you write about them as well...they take it all into account.

Angela - posted on 02/20/2009

Yes, I am on disability. I live in North Carolina, and it took 7 months for it to go through. It took a while for my husband and I to decide it was the right thing to do, but with the help and support of my general practitioner and neurologist I got everything together and went for it. If you go to the MS Society website, they have a great guide for getting everything together and have a questionaire I would recommend filling out so you are ready for your interview. Also, go to the Social Security website. They have a similar checklist to help you get everything together. Get letters from doctors supporting your decision and get as many records yourself as you can from your doctors. The more information you have to give them, the faster you will get processed. Go for a live interview if you can and take your notes with you. If you have any memory issues like I do, you will definitely want them! They don't mind you going through them, and they know you are prepared that way. Remember that it is important that you be healthy for your daughter first and foremost. That is what it came down to for me! Good luck!