The SSI Disability Fiasco--Part 3-A
By pyewacket
@pyewacket (43903)
United States
May 29, 2007 5:13pm CST
Well the next time I post my up-date on what's going on with my SSI Disability disaster and mix-up that I've been going through, I how to label it Part 4.
I feel like the noose is hanging around my head a bit...as I'm hoping, really, really hoping that the jerks over at Social Security will shake their butts just a bit faster and re-instate my benefits by the end of this week.
The woman caseworker at Queens Case Management has been a "little" help, but it seems like I'm doing more of the leg, paper, and phone work than she is--I've been in touch with various Public Assistance places and now the process is going through to at least help pay for one month's worth of electric, gas and maybe even rent bills. I've been in touch with the utilities as well and have explained the situation, and are allowing me a short extension.
I plan to call that woman representative from Congressman Crowley's office again tomorrow...she's the one I was in contact with last week (Monday) who deals with SSI/Disability issues--and had wanted me to fax over a cover letter authorizing anyone in the Congressman's office to intervene in my behalf--plus fax over the various letters that I had gotten from SS relating to the termination of my benefits and of that overpayment of $4,910.00 they claim I owe them...yeah, right sure....It was amusing since the next day I got a call from the caseworker at Social Security I had dealt with before--no doubt the representative from the Congressman's office had called them at Social Security and that kind of shook them up a bit.
Well today was by no means a laid back one for me either...My caseworker at Queens Case Management called and wanted to come over today, rather than her usual Wednesdays...I had to sign more forms..yikes...forms..forms..forms...After she left I dashed out a bit as I had to do some grocery shopping, came home and did have other plans for today..BUT
On Friday,I decided to also e-mail NY Senator John D. Sabini--figured nothing ventured,nothing gained...so as I'm puttering around the apartment a bit, I get a call from a "Lilyana" a representative of the Senator's office!! She wanted me to do the same thing...zap out a letter of authorization allowing them at the Senator's office to intervene in my behalf and the same letters from Social Security---when I got home I called, but she had already left, but the guy I talked to confirmed that the faxed material was there...When I had talked to her she did tell me that she has contacts with Social Security and I guess to make them shake their butts faster...But LOL..my gosh, now Social Security will be getting a phone call from a Senator's office--Hehehe
Gee, my life is dull isn't it?? I need some more excitement...LOL
so keep those prayers coming....tomorrow is going to be another busy phone day for me...yikes I'm starting to get laryngitis from all these phone calls I'm making!!
So stayed tuned for Part 4--and hopefully it'll be good news!!
13 people like this
13 responses
@lalav1 (1052)
• United States
29 May 07
I feel for you, when I first became disabled I was on SDI, State Disability, got an extension and then had to go on to SSDI, Social Security Disability Insurance. It took a lot of work to fill out the application on the computer, about 3 hours, no lie. I had to look up dates, doctors, phone numbers, etc. I'm told many people are denied and have to apply again. I was lucky and got it on the first try, but I found out if you have more then $2000 in an account of any kind, including an IRA you are not eligible for SSI, Social Security Income, (money in addition to SSDI) which is not enough for anybody to live on. I am very lucky both my mom and stepdad and my best friend invited me to live with them. I moved in with my friend.
I also found out as long as I am on SSDI I cannot put any money in to my retirement acount. Also, imagine my surprise when I found out I would not be eligible for Medicare until I was on SSDI for 2 years! At least I still had my Cobra Coverage health insurance from my old job, (they laid me off) just before I had my doctor's note to go on disability. Actually I am lucky it happened that way, even though it is expensive, cause now I'm sick. Luckily Cobra gave me an extension that will last long enough for me get on Medicare.
At first I had a lot of trouble with my health insurance company. I had to pay for everything and then wait to get reimbursed because one place didn't let the other place know I was covered. Just lately I had to make about 25 calls to my health insurance company before someone there finally helped me with what I needed. So, I know how you feel, it's all a big pain in the you know what. I really hope it all gets straightened out for you soon.
2 people like this
@lalav1 (1052)
• United States
30 May 07
That's terrible! No wonder you are so upset. I would be freaking out. I believe they told me they review your case every three years here in California. Is your doctor helping you out and did you say you have reapplied even though they now say they were wrong and reversed their decision. That's just cruel, the way they handled that. Could you go to an attorney specializing in this type of case who won't charge you till your case is won? I wish I knew how to help you.
@texasclassygal (5305)
• United States
29 May 07
I am so happy for you that I am smiling as I am typing this response. What a smart cookie you are, that is great to get everyone involved, wouldn't hurt to go even a bit further especially since everyone is concerned enough to want your paperwork. I wish the best for you and you are always in my prayers on this one. I think it is going to a great turnout for you. Whatever you do, keep all correspondence you are getting with the congressman and the Senator's office, you might need them later on in the years if they try to do this you again, which they might. Take care, my friend. I will be awaiting the Part 4 with hopefully good news.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
29 May 07
A lot of folks have told me that Social Security hopes that us folks will get so disgusted that we'll back out and give up...uh, well they don't know me--hehehe--and yes I hope part 4 will be the good news one!!
2 people like this
@texasclassygal (5305)
• United States
29 May 07
They must have flunky attorneys working for them if that is the case, that is the tatics that most attorneys work from, bombard them with paperwork so that they will be discouraged and quit the lawsuit, sounds like the same thing, keep in there, keep your head high and never give up, it will eventually go your way.
1 person likes this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
30 May 07
It is just so sad you have to spend so much time and effort trying to sort things out. I am glad someone else is trying to help. It can be such a mind boggling thing. My son is on SSI and we had a lot of trouble at first and my doctor contacted our Governors office and that seemed to be the end of the fighting. I hope they help.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
30 May 07
Mmm..gee, maybe I should try the Governors office next!! Couldn't hurt none
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
30 May 07
Do you know I really hope that the next update is that it is sorted this is so stupid it is unbelievable I just can not believe it
I thought it was only here that is was so bad but obviously not but I have to say one thing at least your Senator is helping my MP did not help me one bit at the beginning of this year
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
31 May 07
From the things I've read I'm beginning to think disability benefits are lousy all over the world!
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
30 May 07
Yes it is...nice to know I have some strong backing behind me....
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
30 May 07
Keeping you in my prayers dear and just know some good is going to come out of all of this - you are handling it all remarkably and I'm proud to call you my friend for dealing with all of this hassle with such good spirit.
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
30 May 07
Thank you dear I do really appreciate all the prayers I can get... Yesterday I copped an attitude and rounded up every plant pot I could find - I then spent most of the day digging up what I could of my plants - flowers, herbs, and shrubs to take with me.
Today I'm so sore I can barely move and my daughter and her fiance stopped by this afternoon and he's going home to find me some more pots. I've had some of these things for 20 years - I'm not leaving them behind!
Waiting on news from court on son.
Pretty sure I'm going to opt for the apartment - further from church but better yard and cheaper but my sister is checking on a house not far from her for rent - apartment is further from family than I am now.
Got paid $300 for writing work but still owed almost $400 - I'm scraping pennies to make rent this month and filing for assistance tomorrow.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
30 May 07
My it sounds like you're trying to take as much of your place as possible...I will like I said continue my prayers for you and your son that things turn out good for everyone and everything in your life
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
30 May 07
And I'm keeping you in your prayers...how are things going on your end of it??
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
1 Jun 07
Oh wow! You go girl! You do whatever it takes to get your money back!
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
30 May 07
Well I'm glad that the utility companies have been nice enough to give you some extensions. That does help. I know in my area the electric company has something set up for those who run short to apply for assistance and have at least part of their bill paid, if yours has that it might help.
Sounds like things are at least moving or at least you shouldn't feel like you are standing still. Hopefully that is all good things with it. You are in my thoughts and I hope it works out quickly.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
30 May 07
Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts emeraldisle..I hope things move quicker now too ;-)
@sigma77 (5383)
• United States
30 May 07
hmmm...This is turning out to be a book. lol. If you are expecting some butt-shaking from the government, I will pray for your return to the planet earth from the lofty cloud you are now residing on. It is incredible how in this government you always have to go through a maze of channels and an endless stream of calls to get some resemblence of action from a government that is supposed to be the people's servant. Why isn't there one person or number you can call or cantact and get some real action toward resolution of your issue? If they call this efficiency, then someone has pulled the wool over someone's eyes. I wish you a swift and positive outcome to this perpetual government oversight. I will give you a ring sometime in the next life to see how you are coming along.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
30 May 07
Yes, this is turning out to be a novel....someone once actually mentioned I should do a book, like a memoir of all the crap I've dealt with in my life...what you've been reading here about all this mess is only a itsy bitsy fraction of the lovely events I've gone through. Maybe that's why I haven't fallen apart yet...I've gone so through so many "chanllenges" one after another after another that gee, maybe life would be dull without them--LOL
Ah, yes, to call just ONE person or number to get this resolved...oh, wouldn't that be nice, but alas I guess our lives aren't meant to be that simple...
@retardedrugrat (4791)
• Canada
30 May 07
It's hilarious that SS are going to be getting a call from the Senators office, and that they had a call from a Congressman's office, but on the other hand, isn't it disgusting that you have to go to these measures just to get what you're entitled to?
I hate the way that SS seem to drag everything out. You send them every single shred of evidence that you have, and yet they still ask for more. Then they tell you they lost the forms you sent them and could you please resign and send them again. In the meantime, you're starving and have NO money, but they just don't care. Do you see the pattern here yet?
I hope everything gets sorted out for you, and soon. This has gone on for way too long, and I don't know how you've coped. Hang in there though, things do seem to be picking up.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
30 May 07
I have heard so many horror stories from others who have had a real time of it with SSI--and that they drag on and on and on You're right though, I've sent them every possible shred of evidence going to them--there really isn't anything else I can send--yikes
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
30 May 07
Not to mention carpal tunnel from all the papers you've been signing. We're all hanging in there and hoping with you!
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
30 May 07
hoping for good news for you:)
i bet all the senators & congress people are shaking them up a bit.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
30 May 07
I guess SS didn't expect calls from a Congressman and a Senator's office..
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
30 May 07
What a nightmere you are going through from the social security system. I started social security November 06. I am 48 and disabled. If I had to pay any of the money back then I would be screwed.
I get less than a quater on social security than what I could be making if I could work. I am an RN and was making $34 per hour when I had to stop working due to dizziness and other illnesses.
Good luck with you I know you are going threw He77.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
30 May 07
Well as I've said, I've been getting SSI since 1996, so that's why it was a real shock to be cut off like this...when I first was applying at least back then I had the safety net of my mother still being alive and living with her...so there was money coming in from her point of it...now I have no safety net..nothing and that's the scary part of it.
