Can you ,how do you,apply for social security for rheumatiod arthritis?!


Question: I have been suffering with pain off and on for years .I have seen numberous doctors and finally 2 months ago was diagonosed with RA.My doctors first question was how do you supprrot your family,what are you applying for social security?Like i was faking or something!But the labs prove it I also had a Rheumatiod nodule removed from my knee was the last straw .She finally belived i had it.Even after having positive labs and negative labs.The RA factor,My inflammtion levels,everthing showing i havbe it then my new doctors labs showing nothing its werrid!But after i had the nodule taken out it showed that it was RA.The docotr i see is a rheumatologist and not very understanding!She thinks everyone wants soical securityBut in the beging i didnt Im only 27yrs old and have my whole life ahead of me!But when you have 2-4 appts a month and cant do most of the physical parts of a job what should you do?I have 4 kids to take care of and cant get cash from state .What should i do?Any info willhelp


Answers: I have been suffering with pain off and on for years .I have seen numberous doctors and finally 2 months ago was diagonosed with RA.My doctors first question was how do you supprrot your family,what are you applying for social security?Like i was faking or something!But the labs prove it I also had a Rheumatiod nodule removed from my knee was the last straw .She finally belived i had it.Even after having positive labs and negative labs.The RA factor,My inflammtion levels,everthing showing i havbe it then my new doctors labs showing nothing its werrid!But after i had the nodule taken out it showed that it was RA.The docotr i see is a rheumatologist and not very understanding!She thinks everyone wants soical securityBut in the beging i didnt Im only 27yrs old and have my whole life ahead of me!But when you have 2-4 appts a month and cant do most of the physical parts of a job what should you do?I have 4 kids to take care of and cant get cash from state .What should i do?Any info willhelp

There are many people who have disabilities that involve pain who work just fine.

Since you're only 27 and state that you have had pain for years, I'm going to assume you don't have much of a work history. I'll give you a little tutorial.

There are 2 disability programs, SSDI and SSI. SSDI is a program for people who have enough work credits, the max payment is $2000 a month and is based off of your work record. Your children would also receive a benefit check equal to one-half of yours. You can make up to 900 dollars a month in additional income through working and there are no asset restrictions.

SSI is a welfare program for people who do not have enough work credits. The max payment for 2007 was $623 a month and your children would NOT receive benefits. There are income and asset restrictions, if you have a spouse their income would be counted against your benefit. You can make no additional money and there is no Trial Work Program.

There is a manual called the "bluebook", this lists all the conditions that SSA finds are automatically qualifying. If you meet a listing, exactly as it is described, you are approved. If you don't meet a listing, you have to prove how your symptoms keep you from working and caring for yourself. You also will need to meet with Voc Rehab to determine if you could work in other vocations. Here's a link to that manual: http://www.ssa.gov/disability/profession...

I searched the bluebook and did not find rheumatoid arthritis listed. If you look under the musculoskeletal section there is a listing that describes rheumatoid arthritis but it's for advanced cases.
Here's an additional link to the process SSA uses to determine cases: http://www.ssa.gov/dibplan/dqualify5.htm

I have no doubt that your condition causes you pain and has been very stressful. I will warn you that the process can be lengthy, particularly for someone whose own doctor does not appear to support their claim.

To give you some perspective, I am a person with cerebral palsy. I have no use of my right arm/hand and my ambulation is greatly effected. I worked for a very long time, full time, and chose not to utilize social security. It was only after I began to lose use of my left hand that I applied. I was approved within 90 days. I do not plan on sitting on SSDI forever, I plan to go back to school, further my education and get trained on a system that would allow me to use a computer hands free.

Please evaluate your situation carefully. If you feel you simply cannot go on with working any longer and that your symptoms are that bad, feel free to apply. If you would only receive a few hundred dollars a month, perhaps that isn't the best route for you. I know RA can be progressive, maybe you can work long enough to qualify for more benefits.

Here's the link on how to apply.
Your doc sounds like a jerk!

You must apply for disability from Soc.Sec. office in your State.
They then will review records and or examine you to determine if they can validate your claim.





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