Reply #18: The wait is bad, and the attempt to get it is frustrating

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Case in point: Two rejections, and waiting for the Administrative Law judge to go to, and the judge looked the case over for review before the court appearance, and gave a favorable decision before the appearance. About twenty months of waiting. I lived on $300 a month while I waited, and considered suicide at one point. I couldn't do it, since I'm still around, but there was this point where you don't have any idea of why you are still alive.

I got the lump sum payment, and got some essentials, and felt that I had gone through a major battle to get to that point. I hired one of the law firms that specialized in SS claims, because I was so paralyzed with mental fog that I couldn't do it otherwise.

It's supposed to be our money that we've paid into all our working life. We shouldn't have to jump through hoops and perform circus acts to get it.

The Medicare went through 6 months after I was approved, and it helped, but I had already been approved for state help, so it wasn't a huge deal. Of course, my mental state is still out to lunch sometimes, because I repeat things, forget things and often need to struggle to use words I haven't used in awhile. As a writer, that feels surreal. I'm still in that frame of mind, and sadly, it looks like I always will be in it. I try to improve the mind by playing games, doing puzzles, and anything that gets my brain functioning, but the forgetfulness haunts me.

People who are waiting who have no income or financial assistance can usually go to their state welfare office, and get approved for state health aid until the Medicare goes through. If there is a need for it, the state will be reimbursed for expenses from Medicare later.

Oh--some people can get SSI as well as their Disability, depending on the amount of the monthly check. Over a certain amount, and you can't get it, but it never hurts to ask.

My SIL waited nearly two years for her lump sum, but she got approved for the Disability about a year after application.