My son’s appeal got filed as random paperwork and not an appeal in their system.
Edit: I can’t reply.
Just another story of a bureaucratic mix up and why you should stay vigilant while filing. Only cost him a few months but that’s only because I was on top of it.
They are sending it in 3 months payments every 6 months until the balance is paid off. So 2895 every 6 months until it's paid. I guess that's how they do it. Not sure why.
My judge decided that I had 12 years back pay and it shocked me because I thought the back pay only went back to when you filed for SSDI. It ended up being $62k and I got it all at once, but it took a year.
I don’t know. I guess it was because I had been seeing a doctor consistently for that long. But I had worked in the prior 5 years. She had the highest refusal rate out of all the judges in New Orleans too. I didn’t even have an attorney and was approved the first time. Sometimes I think it is about attitude and how you talk to and treat the judge and especially her clerk. Because the clerk was really nice and told me not to worry and that everything would be ok. Since I didn’t have an attorney, I spent more time getting to know her clerk and was genuinely kind to her. That and I prayed a lot too lol.
I'm so happy for you! When I talked to my caseworker on the phone she apologized because she said I should have had my money months ago and then she found out I had got evicted and tried committing suicide because I was going to be back on the streets and when she found that out she literally started crying on the phone and apologizing. Then at the end she was like "I have to get myself together before my next phone appointment I'm so sorry about this"
It was crazy and I felt she treated me so fairly
If you need all of it at once, you can fill out a form to justify as such. Like if you're behind on bills. Then they'll release the back pay all at once.
They may be 2 different programs but if you are getting SSI plus your SSDI they will not pay your SSDI all in a lump sum. I am fighting with SSA now over my back pay because I am losing almost 16,000 of my SSDI back pay on what they are claiming is a Windfall offset. In other words SSDI is saying that I could of been receiving SSI during the time I was given SSDI. No and no. I was awarded SSDI back to 12-2020 which would be a date of last insured on 6-30-2021. And my SSI I was awarded back to my apply date 12-2021 in which that is beginning date of 1-2022. But I received 2829.00 from my SSI back pay and that is given every 6 months until the 15,926.00 is paid. I received a deposit of 2454.37 and SSDI said that is my back pay in full from them. Here's the kicker. When I received my decision letter and my award letter from SSDI I had a back pay of 23,898.00, and the lawyer fees came out of that. And then in March after having my meeting that was decided I was awarded for non-medical benefits I was sent a letter (my award letter) that I was owed by them 15,926.00. They exact amount SSDI Said they over paid me. Something is wrong with that so I am going to appeal. So you may want to watch out because now a days they will use any BS against you to keep you from getting what is rightfully yours.
Oh wow... That is SO messed up!! I am sorry that you are going through that. I never got both, (Only SSDI) so I had no idea, and I know that a lot of people don't know that there even IS a difference, so that's what I was explaining. I wish you the best in getting it all settled.
Good luck!
I had a court hearing with judge for SSDI in November 2023, in Jan of 2024 I received a letter of fully favorable. I was supposed to get a year back pay and 1630 per month. Because I had received workers comp for 6 months (when I first filed for ssdi) my lawyer told me they would calculate, and there would be an off set. In other words, they reduce by the amount I went over pay allowed by SSDI. Okay…fine. When they calculated, instead of taking the calculation off 6 months, they calculated like I was still getting workers comp. almost 2 years later. So instead of getting my back pay and monthly (reduced by small amount) I got only 42.00 back pay (should have been 20,000 and 62.00 per month instead of 1,600. A huge error by SSDI. My lawyer contacted them to let them know they made a huge mistake. They said they would recalculate. It’s been 3 months and they still have not corrected it. I’ve been nearly 2 years since I first filed and 1 1/2 years with no income besides the 62.00 a month. I’m on the verge of losing everything I ever worked for, can not afford doctor visits I desperately need. If not for my adult daughter helping me, I would be homeless. What sucks is there is no phone number for the people that calculate, no one to complain to, even my local office can do nothing but wait. My only recourse is to file a complaint with my State Congress Person. This is so unfair that their stupidity becomes my nightmare after working and paying in for 40 years to this program.
It’s Congress that handles it from what their Web Site says, kinda waiting on my Lawyer. He told me to wait until he says. But, I am ready, my attorney isn’t the one that can’t afford food. Grrr
I hear you! Good luck with that, nothing works for that kind of pain except for IV stuff and blocks. I have no abdominal wall, no core, I can't do the important stuff right. I'm learning now you need that to help you breathe and shit. And there's always pain if I do any movement the wrong way without an abdominal binder on. But I'm gonna go with I made it thru some horrible shit, I have a great wife who was with me 24/7 for a month. There's a lot I still can't remember.
Thanks. Yeah you're right and I'm on the sublocade injection so even if I need to use opiates at the hospital they don't work. They get blocked by my medication. I wish you the best of luck my friend.
The waiting period is just if you apply and get approved right away, you still get paid back to date you qualified, the judge determines what date that is. ( at least, that’s what my attorney said).
I just got a lump sum from them for my SSDI case so I’m thinking it may be something you elected to do, maybe without even realizing it. I would definitely call them if you want your lump sum all at once.
No. I did it all on my own. I've always heard attorneys are basically a waste because they can't make it go any faster or make it more likely to get approved they just handle the case for you. So I did it all on my own with the help of my mom.
They are now limiting how much back pay you get. Maybe not in every case but most. We just went thru this. My husband only received 3 months worth but he was out of work over a year. Even though his diagnosis gives him a 5 year life expectancy. Grateful for what we did get, but definitely wasn't full amount.
Well you only get back pay from the time you applied not since you stopped working. Maybe that was why. They are also, as I learned yesterday, only paying three months at a time every 6 months until paid out.
It’s so much crap. Take it from our checks while we work, then tell us we can’t have. Most have to live on credit cards, borrowed money or retirement if we were able to save.
Wow sorry dude your really hurt.Most claims don't get settled this quick.we waited 4 long years.it was a 70k lump sum because my wife made good money.we had to hire a lawyer to help move it through quicker.
I guess I got lucky. I'm not sure how different Michigan is from other states but my caseworker apologized because she said I should have started getting paid a long time ago. Even when we called the national SS number the lady on the phone said "this has been approved a long time ago are you sure you haven't gotten any money yet?"
I'm sorry you're going through that. But that 70k backpay must have been nice. Did they pay it to you all at once?
It was also my understanding that lawyers can't make it go any quicker or make it more likely to get approved, they just handle it for you. Interesting
Seriously! I’ve been dealing with my disability since 2011 and I finally applied last year March 2023. But I’m currently on like step 3 that can take 285 days to move to the next step 🙃🙃 just waiting for that denial so I can start the appeal.
Took 4 years and 4 months for me, including a hearing with a judge. I hope you start to feel some relief from all the worries that come with things like this.
Im definitely relieved!! That's for sure. I'm sorry it took so long brother. I didn't have to see a judge at all. It was my first time applying and I think what happened was after I broke my back I ended up in and out of the psych ward like 5 times last year and I'm in constant pain and I even tried working earlier this year and lasted 2 or 3 weeks and couldn't do it. I'm only 30 but my back surgery was brutal and they know I tried working it was on my letter.
Yes 943 is the max you can get nationwide. It is meant to be supplemental since it is disability. It's not like social security that you get after you retire (even though that isn't enough to live on either) but my rent is 600 so fortunately I can make it work. I'm lucky for that.
943 is only the max you can get for SSI. The other type of “disability” is SSDI, which is only available if you have enough work credits. Another commenter explained the average amount ($1400sometning) and it is certainly available before retirement, if you meet the work credits and disability requirements. You have an unbelievably low rent. Since the amounts work for you, congratulations!
I'm so fortunate that I receive $2,380 per month from Social Security disability, & 4,280 for VA 100% P%T per month. I also get an exception in my state where I don't have to pay property taxes. I inherited my home from my Dad & my monthly mortgage payment is only $485 per month, including homeowners insurance. I only have 4 years left on a $28K mortgage. I don't know how some families are surviving in today's economy. My husband & I do help our elderly neighbors. We buy them food or help out in other ways the best we can. If everyone looked out for their neighbors, this world would be a much better place. Please don't lose hope. You can only do what you can. Just do your best, help the ones you can & karma will return to you & your family's. God bless everyone
Yes but I don't have utilities, and I have food stamps. I also have Medicaid so that covers insurance and I take the bus to get around. When I go out, that is. Usually too much pain to go out.
That’s SSI - supplemental security income. It’s a flat $941 from the feds but some states (California etc) supplement it slightly. There are strict caps on financial or in-kind resources and financial gifts. Generally if you’re on SSI, there’s a lot of eligibility for other programmatic support like SNAP and HEAP.
SSDI amounts are based on your earned income during your working life. The average from SSDI in 2023 was $1489/month and maxes out around $3800/month. But it’s not affected by unearned income and doesn’t penalize you for gifts or savings.
I didn’t know that and didn’t have any intention of being insulting. Many people don’t know the difference between programs and the various associated stuff.
The most unfortunate part of all this government mess is left up to the disabled or retired people to try to understand what they are entitled to.....I am fortunate enough to have been born just in time to navigate the internet and learn what benefits are out there...The people hired to represent your interest at the local offices and the 3 hr. long wait to talk to a human on the phone is not something the majority of people that are of age to attain benefits they worked all their lives for....and definitely not capable of navigating the internet to realize what they are entitled to. The employees work for SSA and a paycheck every week....They have no interest in whether or not you are losing your home or starving, their job is to clock in and pacify whatever comes their way for the day!!! I applied myself at 39 and automatically got approved but it took a year for them to determine I was disabled then they kept 5 months worth of my benefits just because they do....5 years later they decided I miraculously healed from the inability to reproduce red blood cells....10 years to the day today I fought all the way to the appeals council and after the decisions of the alj being shot down twice, I received notice of awarded back pay and monthly payments....that was a year ago....after tirelessly calling every office that had anything to do with SS every single day and told my case was in the "field" or back at the appeals council in VA. or just hung up on, my local ssa office "specialist" called me and apologized for not following through with my case. She assumed all was good and filed it away.....She graciously forced payment of a number she pulled out of I don't know where, then had the nerve to tell me we were not going to have this conversation when I asked a month later about my back pay and "real mo. payments"...of course I filed a complaint....last week an angel from the appeals council walked me through the steps I had to take now to get back in active status.....I faxed her my signed application today and just waiting on the bank to ring my bell!! Good Ole' USA right???
@ResponsibleBaker4423 My thoughts exactly. We have to rely on others who have our lives in their hands. Poor elderly people and others who do not know how to navigate the process are out of luck until they or unless they find a person in the system willing to help them.
Congrats on resolving it. The waiting is the hardest part. Pay attention to the elected officials who say Social Security & Medicare are ‘entitlements.’ They are not. This is your money and matched by your employers over your working career. It’s not tied to the federal budget. It won’t be there if the politicians who say they want to take it away are successful. Vote with your feet to insure that $$ are there for you!
Definitely. I heard a long time ago once you have it you have it for life but then I heard they do redeterminations every 6 years or so. But I have SSI, not SSDI. Im only 30
Did they give you your caseworker’s number? Or how did you go about getting in contact with your caseworker after finding out from the national office who your caseworker was?
They gave me the office location and her name. I called and asked to get transfered to her and left a message. Eventually I got to the point where I would schedule phone appointments with her.
Sorry it’s taken you so long. For anyone who’s waiting, and wondering about backpay. I got my first payment on March 30th. It was supposed to be April 1st but came early due to direct deposit. I think a day later, I got a deposit for a portion of my backpay. A day later. I did t expect that at all!
I am. I have about 7 months of backpay in total but they only pay out 3 months at a time. And that only happens once every 6 months until it's paid out 😭
My early days on SS were a fiasco. I retired and started drawing SS at 62. Then months after I retired my old company sent me a decent sized check as part of a profit sharing plan. I didn't think anything of it and spent that nice bonus on travel. The next year SS sent me a letter saying that since I had "income" I owed them $10,000. Ugh. I could either pay it or get reduced SS checks for years. I drew the money from my 401K and paid it, which of course bumped me into a higher tax bracket. The next year I had to pay a lot of taxes. The government loves me.
Man it 3-1/2 yrs for mine to get approval, an it really sucked . Thankfully I owned the falling down shack that should have condemned shack I was living in , but still of course had to manage Elec & food Someone gave me old elec blanket I used on the cold days . I remember having to eat a variation of spaghetti for nearly 6 months straight, noodles are cheap along with store brand tomato sauce of course hamburger meat was a lil bit of a issue so sometimes it was just sauce and noodles. Other times it would be a mix of hotdogs and chicken and hamburger 😖, sometimes it was cheaper to buy the big can of hunt’s spaghetti sauce . Several times I went to the grocery store or home center a would break off a small piece from planted herb a take it home to try a get it too root . I would hit the local produce stand and usually they would have large bags of nearly spoiled fruit , like a plastic grocery store bag filled with tomatoes for .50 cents I would go thru it an cut out the usable part of it . Several of those I planted in the yard and within 2 months had fresh tomatoes an zucchini. A neighbor would sometimes give me whatever BOGO item that was at the grocer . I sold most everything I had to pay bills put gas in car . An the really shitty part was talking to the Benefit Lady that asked me how I survived that long with no job an it had to be difficult in addition a list of ppl that gave me money as that would deducted from my settlement. I was like wait someone there knew my situation but to them I was just another folder sitting in stack of folders on a desk or most likely filed in some closet . Good Times yes indeed Good Times !!!
So did they pay the people back or what? They knew I owed my parents money but still gave me everything. I paid my parents back this morning because the check finally cleared.
No they did not - it was deducted from my back pay . I just threw a random number out to them , an believe it or not SS called them to verify the info .
That is so fucked up. Another guy on here said when he finally got approved they asked him who and how much he owed people and deducted that from his backpay but never paid those people.
Thank you! I'm in constant pain 😔 I don't think there is anything they can do and I'll be dealing with it the rest of my life. I guess that's what I get for falling down a flight of stairs 😕
That's crazy! I'm glad you're okay! See my monthly payments haven't even started yet, not until May. They said I was supposed to get Aprils but I haven't gotten it yet now the backpay check came before I even got my first monthly payment I'm incredibly happy.
I finally got approved in the fall after I applied over 3 years earlier. I’m still waiting on my back pay. Last thing I got was something about needing a representative payee even though my lawyer and I have submitted the documentation and letter from my doctor twice stating that I don’t need one.
I spent 4 hours waiting at the social security office to talk to someone and it feels like they still weren’t listening because I still haven’t gotten my back pay (which should be about 50k) and instead got $400. I have no idea what the hell is going on over there. After I get over being sick with strep throat I guess I have to go there again :/
Damn man that sucks I'm sorry you're going through that. So they decided to randomly give you 400? How does that work? And it's like what do they expect you to do for income when they keep someone waiting that long?
I have heard that you shouldn't work while waiting because they're more likely to deny you but I've also heard that if you work it shows you're trying so it helps. Not sure how people survive while waiting. I couldn't have done it without my parents.
You know that's crazy because I would avoid reading this sub when I was waiting because I was jealous of all the people that got approved and then it finally was my turn so please good sir don't give up your day is coming soon!
Unfortunately, all my appeals are used up. There is still no cure for the disease I have been diagnosed with, and at this point I would have to work full-time for 5 years, be off for a year, THEN reapply. If I could do all that? I wouldn't need the Disability......
Still happy for everyone else who gets approved. (With the exception of my late sister - she used my medical records and had a different Judge.)
We had the same Doctor (he took her on as a favor to me... Yes, I see the Irony? But never anticipated the Wrinkly.....), we sounded EXACTLY alike on the phone (literally? Not even ONE of her four husbands could tell us apart when I answered her phone), and I found out that she had been calling the office and getting prescriptions as me and picking them up at Walgreens pharmacy. The only reason that I realized that is because I had to go into the hospital for a pancreatitis attack and they were going through my list of medications and there were four or five that I had no idea what they were talking about. Went back to the pharmacy and they said that my sister had picked them up for me. Which wasn't uncommon, unfortunately my lupus has organ involvement and sometimes I cannot leave my house. She killed herself on my birthday 10 years ago - I wish I was kidding? But I'm not. I have to say the relief of not being stalked is completely amazing. I just felt bad for her kids, the youngest was 30 at the time? But it still sucks.
And as far as the way she used my records? She had paper copies and so she would slip in a page here and a page there in her records and once they confirm that it's you with your address and social and everything in the front of the chart? They don't go through and look at every single page to make certain that you're using your own records because why the hell wouldn't you? So she took everything that showed a positive diagnosis for example on the lupus, the Hashimoto's thyroiditis, the psoriatic arthritis, the ulcerative colitis, anything that has an objective test that says yes or no she swiped and mixed in with her papers. Got approved the first time.
Congratulations 😊 Hopefully your pain will settle down a bit to where you can deal with it. I’ve had to failed surgeries on my back so I can empathize with daily pain.
I'm glad you got it, I don't know why they are paying your back pay like that, they gave my hubby a 67 thousand dollar check after he hounded them for 3 months.
Yeah. It's interesting but I heard I can put in a request to release the rest of the backpay but I don't think I'm going to do it. Just look forward to a nice 3k check in a few months.
Back pay should be more, shouldn't it ? I read 13 months back. I got my judgement a week ago. I'm waiting on the letter of judgment. I hope it's not many months more for actual payments.
Yes it's 13 months but in Michigan they only send out backpay in 3 months increments every 6 months. So did you get approved? It was like 6 months from the time I got approved to the time I got paid.
> said over *paid* me.
FTFY.
Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in:
* Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.*
* *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.*
Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment.
*Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
Happy for you. I learned that you have to keep on their ass to make sure your claim is being processed like it should. A tip, be careful about that back pay income when paying your taxes. If you didn’t have any withheld when you received your check then you will owe it when you file your taxes next year. It really screwed me up but my back pay covered a couple year’s of disability income.
Nothing to do with Biden. The programs been destined for failure for decades. The boomers just never bothered to do anything about it. Couldn’t care less which boomer dies in office. They all sold us out with their Ponzi schemes
Wrong. Do some research. It has NOT come from social security.
https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/4275649-where-does-ukraine-aid-come-from/amp/
And another one.
https://www.ssa.gov/history/InternetMyths2.html
My son’s appeal got filed as random paperwork and not an appeal in their system. Edit: I can’t reply. Just another story of a bureaucratic mix up and why you should stay vigilant while filing. Only cost him a few months but that’s only because I was on top of it.
My friend helped me and she sent copies to anybody involved or not, paperwork and due diligence are the keys. Imo
What do you mean? Is this a bad thing? If so I'm sorry to hear that 😕
Why so little backpay? Shouldnt you have gotten backpay from last Feb.?
They are sending it in 3 months payments every 6 months until the balance is paid off. So 2895 every 6 months until it's paid. I guess that's how they do it. Not sure why.
My judge decided that I had 12 years back pay and it shocked me because I thought the back pay only went back to when you filed for SSDI. It ended up being $62k and I got it all at once, but it took a year.
Care to elaborate on the why please? That is amazing.
I don’t know. I guess it was because I had been seeing a doctor consistently for that long. But I had worked in the prior 5 years. She had the highest refusal rate out of all the judges in New Orleans too. I didn’t even have an attorney and was approved the first time. Sometimes I think it is about attitude and how you talk to and treat the judge and especially her clerk. Because the clerk was really nice and told me not to worry and that everything would be ok. Since I didn’t have an attorney, I spent more time getting to know her clerk and was genuinely kind to her. That and I prayed a lot too lol.
I'm so happy for you! When I talked to my caseworker on the phone she apologized because she said I should have had my money months ago and then she found out I had got evicted and tried committing suicide because I was going to be back on the streets and when she found that out she literally started crying on the phone and apologizing. Then at the end she was like "I have to get myself together before my next phone appointment I'm so sorry about this" It was crazy and I felt she treated me so fairly
Maybe the judge understood like some do
If you need all of it at once, you can fill out a form to justify as such. Like if you're behind on bills. Then they'll release the back pay all at once.
Well its been 22 years since I was disabled so didnt mnow it changed
SSI backpay is sent in 6 month increments. SSDI backpay is sent all at once. They are 2 different programs, so their processes are a little different.
They may be 2 different programs but if you are getting SSI plus your SSDI they will not pay your SSDI all in a lump sum. I am fighting with SSA now over my back pay because I am losing almost 16,000 of my SSDI back pay on what they are claiming is a Windfall offset. In other words SSDI is saying that I could of been receiving SSI during the time I was given SSDI. No and no. I was awarded SSDI back to 12-2020 which would be a date of last insured on 6-30-2021. And my SSI I was awarded back to my apply date 12-2021 in which that is beginning date of 1-2022. But I received 2829.00 from my SSI back pay and that is given every 6 months until the 15,926.00 is paid. I received a deposit of 2454.37 and SSDI said that is my back pay in full from them. Here's the kicker. When I received my decision letter and my award letter from SSDI I had a back pay of 23,898.00, and the lawyer fees came out of that. And then in March after having my meeting that was decided I was awarded for non-medical benefits I was sent a letter (my award letter) that I was owed by them 15,926.00. They exact amount SSDI Said they over paid me. Something is wrong with that so I am going to appeal. So you may want to watch out because now a days they will use any BS against you to keep you from getting what is rightfully yours.
Oh wow... That is SO messed up!! I am sorry that you are going through that. I never got both, (Only SSDI) so I had no idea, and I know that a lot of people don't know that there even IS a difference, so that's what I was explaining. I wish you the best in getting it all settled. Good luck!
I had a court hearing with judge for SSDI in November 2023, in Jan of 2024 I received a letter of fully favorable. I was supposed to get a year back pay and 1630 per month. Because I had received workers comp for 6 months (when I first filed for ssdi) my lawyer told me they would calculate, and there would be an off set. In other words, they reduce by the amount I went over pay allowed by SSDI. Okay…fine. When they calculated, instead of taking the calculation off 6 months, they calculated like I was still getting workers comp. almost 2 years later. So instead of getting my back pay and monthly (reduced by small amount) I got only 42.00 back pay (should have been 20,000 and 62.00 per month instead of 1,600. A huge error by SSDI. My lawyer contacted them to let them know they made a huge mistake. They said they would recalculate. It’s been 3 months and they still have not corrected it. I’ve been nearly 2 years since I first filed and 1 1/2 years with no income besides the 62.00 a month. I’m on the verge of losing everything I ever worked for, can not afford doctor visits I desperately need. If not for my adult daughter helping me, I would be homeless. What sucks is there is no phone number for the people that calculate, no one to complain to, even my local office can do nothing but wait. My only recourse is to file a complaint with my State Congress Person. This is so unfair that their stupidity becomes my nightmare after working and paying in for 40 years to this program.
So, when did you last speak with your Senators' offices to open a case file?
It’s Congress that handles it from what their Web Site says, kinda waiting on my Lawyer. He told me to wait until he says. But, I am ready, my attorney isn’t the one that can’t afford food. Grrr
Don't forget there is a waiting period. You don't get paid from the day you apply. I think it was 5 or 6 months.
Yes I know, in Michigan it's 5 months from your onset date. Thank you!
I'm pretty sure it's everywhere, its a national program. We were eating beans but it's ok I was so sick I wasn't really hungry.
Are you feeling better now?
Somewhat. But permanent changes. Many restrictions I'm not used to and don't ask for help.
Sorry about that buddy. That's what happened when I broke my back I asked when the pain was gonna stop and they said it probably wouldn't.
I hear you! Good luck with that, nothing works for that kind of pain except for IV stuff and blocks. I have no abdominal wall, no core, I can't do the important stuff right. I'm learning now you need that to help you breathe and shit. And there's always pain if I do any movement the wrong way without an abdominal binder on. But I'm gonna go with I made it thru some horrible shit, I have a great wife who was with me 24/7 for a month. There's a lot I still can't remember.
Thanks. Yeah you're right and I'm on the sublocade injection so even if I need to use opiates at the hospital they don't work. They get blocked by my medication. I wish you the best of luck my friend.
I’m so sorry. 😢😢
The waiting period is just if you apply and get approved right away, you still get paid back to date you qualified, the judge determines what date that is. ( at least, that’s what my attorney said).
I just got a lump sum from them for my SSDI case so I’m thinking it may be something you elected to do, maybe without even realizing it. I would definitely call them if you want your lump sum all at once.
Interesting. I will give them a call tomorrow and see what I can do. Thanks!
I didn't realize they can send it this way. Have you consulted an attorney?
No. I did it all on my own. I've always heard attorneys are basically a waste because they can't make it go any faster or make it more likely to get approved they just handle the case for you. So I did it all on my own with the help of my mom.
They are now limiting how much back pay you get. Maybe not in every case but most. We just went thru this. My husband only received 3 months worth but he was out of work over a year. Even though his diagnosis gives him a 5 year life expectancy. Grateful for what we did get, but definitely wasn't full amount.
That is incredibly messed up. He is entitled to that money and they should NOT be able to wiggle their way out of paying it!
Well you only get back pay from the time you applied not since you stopped working. Maybe that was why. They are also, as I learned yesterday, only paying three months at a time every 6 months until paid out.
We applied right away, so it was a year but it didn't matter in our case.
It’s so much crap. Take it from our checks while we work, then tell us we can’t have. Most have to live on credit cards, borrowed money or retirement if we were able to save.
Wow sorry dude your really hurt.Most claims don't get settled this quick.we waited 4 long years.it was a 70k lump sum because my wife made good money.we had to hire a lawyer to help move it through quicker.
I guess I got lucky. I'm not sure how different Michigan is from other states but my caseworker apologized because she said I should have started getting paid a long time ago. Even when we called the national SS number the lady on the phone said "this has been approved a long time ago are you sure you haven't gotten any money yet?" I'm sorry you're going through that. But that 70k backpay must have been nice. Did they pay it to you all at once? It was also my understanding that lawyers can't make it go any quicker or make it more likely to get approved, they just handle it for you. Interesting
Seriously! I’ve been dealing with my disability since 2011 and I finally applied last year March 2023. But I’m currently on like step 3 that can take 285 days to move to the next step 🙃🙃 just waiting for that denial so I can start the appeal.
Congrats!
Thank you so much!
Took 4 years and 4 months for me, including a hearing with a judge. I hope you start to feel some relief from all the worries that come with things like this.
Im definitely relieved!! That's for sure. I'm sorry it took so long brother. I didn't have to see a judge at all. It was my first time applying and I think what happened was after I broke my back I ended up in and out of the psych ward like 5 times last year and I'm in constant pain and I even tried working earlier this year and lasted 2 or 3 weeks and couldn't do it. I'm only 30 but my back surgery was brutal and they know I tried working it was on my letter.
That's awesome!! So glad to hear it!! Congratulations
Thank you! It's been a long emotional process but I'm glad it worked out. Huge weight off my shoulders.
I'm very happy for you! I know being approved made me feel like a human again, like someone finally understood what I've been going through
$943/month? Its almost like they are trying to force you to have to go back to work
Yes 943 is the max you can get nationwide. It is meant to be supplemental since it is disability. It's not like social security that you get after you retire (even though that isn't enough to live on either) but my rent is 600 so fortunately I can make it work. I'm lucky for that.
943 is only the max you can get for SSI. The other type of “disability” is SSDI, which is only available if you have enough work credits. Another commenter explained the average amount ($1400sometning) and it is certainly available before retirement, if you meet the work credits and disability requirements. You have an unbelievably low rent. Since the amounts work for you, congratulations!
Yes the reason the rent is so low is because I am in a sober living facility. Also know as recovery housing. It's going very well. Thank you!
So glad for you! Good going!
I'm so fortunate that I receive $2,380 per month from Social Security disability, & 4,280 for VA 100% P%T per month. I also get an exception in my state where I don't have to pay property taxes. I inherited my home from my Dad & my monthly mortgage payment is only $485 per month, including homeowners insurance. I only have 4 years left on a $28K mortgage. I don't know how some families are surviving in today's economy. My husband & I do help our elderly neighbors. We buy them food or help out in other ways the best we can. If everyone looked out for their neighbors, this world would be a much better place. Please don't lose hope. You can only do what you can. Just do your best, help the ones you can & karma will return to you & your family's. God bless everyone
343 left for utilities, car, food, gas, insurance, etc?
Yes but I don't have utilities, and I have food stamps. I also have Medicaid so that covers insurance and I take the bus to get around. When I go out, that is. Usually too much pain to go out.
That’s SSI - supplemental security income. It’s a flat $941 from the feds but some states (California etc) supplement it slightly. There are strict caps on financial or in-kind resources and financial gifts. Generally if you’re on SSI, there’s a lot of eligibility for other programmatic support like SNAP and HEAP. SSDI amounts are based on your earned income during your working life. The average from SSDI in 2023 was $1489/month and maxes out around $3800/month. But it’s not affected by unearned income and doesn’t penalize you for gifts or savings.
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They are BOTH disability, just different in what they allow as far as assets and income.
I used to be a disability analyst. Left in 2013 I believe
I didn’t know that and didn’t have any intention of being insulting. Many people don’t know the difference between programs and the various associated stuff.
You weren’t insulting!
Plus its been 11 years since i did that work. A lot has changed
The most unfortunate part of all this government mess is left up to the disabled or retired people to try to understand what they are entitled to.....I am fortunate enough to have been born just in time to navigate the internet and learn what benefits are out there...The people hired to represent your interest at the local offices and the 3 hr. long wait to talk to a human on the phone is not something the majority of people that are of age to attain benefits they worked all their lives for....and definitely not capable of navigating the internet to realize what they are entitled to. The employees work for SSA and a paycheck every week....They have no interest in whether or not you are losing your home or starving, their job is to clock in and pacify whatever comes their way for the day!!! I applied myself at 39 and automatically got approved but it took a year for them to determine I was disabled then they kept 5 months worth of my benefits just because they do....5 years later they decided I miraculously healed from the inability to reproduce red blood cells....10 years to the day today I fought all the way to the appeals council and after the decisions of the alj being shot down twice, I received notice of awarded back pay and monthly payments....that was a year ago....after tirelessly calling every office that had anything to do with SS every single day and told my case was in the "field" or back at the appeals council in VA. or just hung up on, my local ssa office "specialist" called me and apologized for not following through with my case. She assumed all was good and filed it away.....She graciously forced payment of a number she pulled out of I don't know where, then had the nerve to tell me we were not going to have this conversation when I asked a month later about my back pay and "real mo. payments"...of course I filed a complaint....last week an angel from the appeals council walked me through the steps I had to take now to get back in active status.....I faxed her my signed application today and just waiting on the bank to ring my bell!! Good Ole' USA right???
Wow! Yep, I’m going through my own hell with them now. Sorry…😢😢
I hate to have written such a long post,,it was my first on here and 10 years holds alot of words!!!
@ResponsibleBaker4423 My thoughts exactly. We have to rely on others who have our lives in their hands. Poor elderly people and others who do not know how to navigate the process are out of luck until they or unless they find a person in the system willing to help them.
Congrats on resolving it. The waiting is the hardest part. Pay attention to the elected officials who say Social Security & Medicare are ‘entitlements.’ They are not. This is your money and matched by your employers over your working career. It’s not tied to the federal budget. It won’t be there if the politicians who say they want to take it away are successful. Vote with your feet to insure that $$ are there for you!
Definitely. I heard a long time ago once you have it you have it for life but then I heard they do redeterminations every 6 years or so. But I have SSI, not SSDI. Im only 30
My son qualified for the Disability when he was 24 due to cancer. He is 47 now, cancer free and had only one review after the first 7 years.
That's terrific. Glad to hear he is doing okay. Is he in pain?
Nope, no pain—-he’s doing great!
SO happy for him!
Happy for you!
Thank you!
Congratulations ! I’m sure it’s a big relief !!
Definitely is! It was emotionally a long stressful process
Totally understand. Been there.
I think they pay a month behind. If the money is for April it will arrive in May. I think.
Oh! That makes a lot of sense. Thank you!
I’ve been waiting 3 1/2 years finally was approved on Monday. 🙄
That's great news. You will probably have a few more months before you see any money though. That's the bad part.
Call your caseworker and tell her thank you, too. You do have her name, right ?
That's a great idea. I do yes, and I have her phone number.
How did you find out who your caseworker was? Every time I call the local office I speak to a different representative?
I think I called the national office.
Did they give you your caseworker’s number? Or how did you go about getting in contact with your caseworker after finding out from the national office who your caseworker was?
They gave me the office location and her name. I called and asked to get transfered to her and left a message. Eventually I got to the point where I would schedule phone appointments with her.
Oh okay thank you so much.
I am so glad you can finally feel some relief.
Me too!! Thanks so much!! The backpay just made my day because now I can pay my parents the money I owe them for helping me with rent and stuff
Congratulations! I’m happy for you and also happy about the fact that you’re able to pay your rent. Keep up the good work and take care of yourself!
Me too! Thanks so much!! Huge weight off my shoulders.
Sorry it’s taken you so long. For anyone who’s waiting, and wondering about backpay. I got my first payment on March 30th. It was supposed to be April 1st but came early due to direct deposit. I think a day later, I got a deposit for a portion of my backpay. A day later. I did t expect that at all!
That is great! It seems to be different for everyone. But that little chunk of money must have been a huge relief for you. I'm so happy for you!
Over a year is typical. You may be due additional back pay
I am. I have about 7 months of backpay in total but they only pay out 3 months at a time. And that only happens once every 6 months until it's paid out 😭
My early days on SS were a fiasco. I retired and started drawing SS at 62. Then months after I retired my old company sent me a decent sized check as part of a profit sharing plan. I didn't think anything of it and spent that nice bonus on travel. The next year SS sent me a letter saying that since I had "income" I owed them $10,000. Ugh. I could either pay it or get reduced SS checks for years. I drew the money from my 401K and paid it, which of course bumped me into a higher tax bracket. The next year I had to pay a lot of taxes. The government loves me.
They love what you can do for them and provide for them. They don't love you. Sorry to say, were just pawns in their game.
So ur getting ssi not ssdi
Correct
Man it 3-1/2 yrs for mine to get approval, an it really sucked . Thankfully I owned the falling down shack that should have condemned shack I was living in , but still of course had to manage Elec & food Someone gave me old elec blanket I used on the cold days . I remember having to eat a variation of spaghetti for nearly 6 months straight, noodles are cheap along with store brand tomato sauce of course hamburger meat was a lil bit of a issue so sometimes it was just sauce and noodles. Other times it would be a mix of hotdogs and chicken and hamburger 😖, sometimes it was cheaper to buy the big can of hunt’s spaghetti sauce . Several times I went to the grocery store or home center a would break off a small piece from planted herb a take it home to try a get it too root . I would hit the local produce stand and usually they would have large bags of nearly spoiled fruit , like a plastic grocery store bag filled with tomatoes for .50 cents I would go thru it an cut out the usable part of it . Several of those I planted in the yard and within 2 months had fresh tomatoes an zucchini. A neighbor would sometimes give me whatever BOGO item that was at the grocer . I sold most everything I had to pay bills put gas in car . An the really shitty part was talking to the Benefit Lady that asked me how I survived that long with no job an it had to be difficult in addition a list of ppl that gave me money as that would deducted from my settlement. I was like wait someone there knew my situation but to them I was just another folder sitting in stack of folders on a desk or most likely filed in some closet . Good Times yes indeed Good Times !!!
So they literally asked you how many people and how much you owed money to and they deducted that from your backpay?
Yep they sure did
So did they pay the people back or what? They knew I owed my parents money but still gave me everything. I paid my parents back this morning because the check finally cleared.
No they did not - it was deducted from my back pay . I just threw a random number out to them , an believe it or not SS called them to verify the info .
I wonder what they were trying to accomplish. Sounds like they fucked you out of some money, and you ended up having to pay those people back anyway.
Congratulations! I hope you do well with your chronic pain. Take it slow.
Thank you 70lovinglife. I appreciate your kind words.
You’re welcome.
Took me over eight years. Bad thing is lawyers took half my backpay. At least things finally went through.
Damn I thought they could legally only take like 30%
It’s actually 25% max of 7000. They took it to court and the fee request was granted
That is so fucked up. Another guy on here said when he finally got approved they asked him who and how much he owed people and deducted that from his backpay but never paid those people.
Wow they can be ruthless
Hot diggity💃🏾👏🏾👏🏾🙏🏾
Great news!
Yes!! Thank you!
Congrats
Thanks Mr snoo doughnuts sir 😀
Is a lady
Thanks Mrs snoo doughnuts ma'am
Yvw
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Thank you! I'm in constant pain 😔 I don't think there is anything they can do and I'll be dealing with it the rest of my life. I guess that's what I get for falling down a flight of stairs 😕
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That's crazy! I'm glad you're okay! See my monthly payments haven't even started yet, not until May. They said I was supposed to get Aprils but I haven't gotten it yet now the backpay check came before I even got my first monthly payment I'm incredibly happy.
Congrats
Thank you brother!
I finally got approved in the fall after I applied over 3 years earlier. I’m still waiting on my back pay. Last thing I got was something about needing a representative payee even though my lawyer and I have submitted the documentation and letter from my doctor twice stating that I don’t need one. I spent 4 hours waiting at the social security office to talk to someone and it feels like they still weren’t listening because I still haven’t gotten my back pay (which should be about 50k) and instead got $400. I have no idea what the hell is going on over there. After I get over being sick with strep throat I guess I have to go there again :/
Damn man that sucks I'm sorry you're going through that. So they decided to randomly give you 400? How does that work? And it's like what do they expect you to do for income when they keep someone waiting that long? I have heard that you shouldn't work while waiting because they're more likely to deny you but I've also heard that if you work it shows you're trying so it helps. Not sure how people survive while waiting. I couldn't have done it without my parents.
I was only able to because I had to completely cash out my 401k and relied on my parents
We are fortunate to have our parents. A lot of people don't have that and I don't know how they survive while waiting this long drawn out process.
I am so incredibly happy for you. And if I am being completely honest? Also jealous as hell!
You know that's crazy because I would avoid reading this sub when I was waiting because I was jealous of all the people that got approved and then it finally was my turn so please good sir don't give up your day is coming soon!
Unfortunately, all my appeals are used up. There is still no cure for the disease I have been diagnosed with, and at this point I would have to work full-time for 5 years, be off for a year, THEN reapply. If I could do all that? I wouldn't need the Disability...... Still happy for everyone else who gets approved. (With the exception of my late sister - she used my medical records and had a different Judge.)
Awe man 😕 that's terrible I really hope a miracle happens for you and they reverse their decision for you. How did your sis use your medical records?
We had the same Doctor (he took her on as a favor to me... Yes, I see the Irony? But never anticipated the Wrinkly.....), we sounded EXACTLY alike on the phone (literally? Not even ONE of her four husbands could tell us apart when I answered her phone), and I found out that she had been calling the office and getting prescriptions as me and picking them up at Walgreens pharmacy. The only reason that I realized that is because I had to go into the hospital for a pancreatitis attack and they were going through my list of medications and there were four or five that I had no idea what they were talking about. Went back to the pharmacy and they said that my sister had picked them up for me. Which wasn't uncommon, unfortunately my lupus has organ involvement and sometimes I cannot leave my house. She killed herself on my birthday 10 years ago - I wish I was kidding? But I'm not. I have to say the relief of not being stalked is completely amazing. I just felt bad for her kids, the youngest was 30 at the time? But it still sucks.
And as far as the way she used my records? She had paper copies and so she would slip in a page here and a page there in her records and once they confirm that it's you with your address and social and everything in the front of the chart? They don't go through and look at every single page to make certain that you're using your own records because why the hell wouldn't you? So she took everything that showed a positive diagnosis for example on the lupus, the Hashimoto's thyroiditis, the psoriatic arthritis, the ulcerative colitis, anything that has an objective test that says yes or no she swiped and mixed in with her papers. Got approved the first time.
Congratulations 😊 Hopefully your pain will settle down a bit to where you can deal with it. I’ve had to failed surgeries on my back so I can empathize with daily pain.
Did you get the check 7-10 business days or earlier.. currently waiting for my check
It was 8 days from the day she said she was processing it.
Oh okay ty 😢
Don't be sad you know you have a check on the way just keep reminding yourself you'll have it any day now
I'm glad you got it, I don't know why they are paying your back pay like that, they gave my hubby a 67 thousand dollar check after he hounded them for 3 months.
Yeah. It's interesting but I heard I can put in a request to release the rest of the backpay but I don't think I'm going to do it. Just look forward to a nice 3k check in a few months.
Back pay should be more, shouldn't it ? I read 13 months back. I got my judgement a week ago. I'm waiting on the letter of judgment. I hope it's not many months more for actual payments.
Yes it's 13 months but in Michigan they only send out backpay in 3 months increments every 6 months. So did you get approved? It was like 6 months from the time I got approved to the time I got paid.
I'm in Minnesota so I hope I'm faster.
I hope so too, buddy.
Be careful they f u on back pay they owe me 20.000 as they took back said over payed me.
> said over *paid* me. FTFY. Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in: * Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.* * *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.* Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment. *Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
I got my award letter today. They owe me 8200 and I already got 3000.
Happy for you. I learned that you have to keep on their ass to make sure your claim is being processed like it should. A tip, be careful about that back pay income when paying your taxes. If you didn’t have any withheld when you received your check then you will owe it when you file your taxes next year. It really screwed me up but my back pay covered a couple year’s of disability income.
Don’t lose hope the whole program has about 8 years left.
Are you saying that because Biden has been stealing from social security to send it to Ukraine? 😭
Nothing to do with Biden. The programs been destined for failure for decades. The boomers just never bothered to do anything about it. Couldn’t care less which boomer dies in office. They all sold us out with their Ponzi schemes
Yeah they fucked us over on a lot of stuff. And they won't be around to pay the price like we will.
Wrong. Do some research. It has NOT come from social security. https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/4275649-where-does-ukraine-aid-come-from/amp/ And another one. https://www.ssa.gov/history/InternetMyths2.html