It's officially official

[JMCKUSICK]

Disability Benefits Hearing
We have processed 4 of 4 steps of your appeal.


1. We received your online appeal on November 1, 2025.Success
2. We conducted a non-medical review of your appeal on April 29, 2026.Success
3. We completed a final review of your appeal on April 29, 2026.Success
4. We have made a decision to approve your appeal on April 29, 2026.Current

It's really really really officially official!!!

Yay, now just waiting the 40-60 days for everything to be done and done.

Thank each and everyone of you for sharing this incredibly difficult journey with me, and for all the help of all kinds along the way.

For all the generosity you showed, what I'm truly the most grateful for is that from the moment I first asked for help, this community has not just helped me financially,but made sure I was never alone, never abandoned, never again in need, especially psychologically speaking, you helped me find my voice, my self esteem, and my true place in this world for the first time in so many ways.

Your encouraging words fed my soul and spirit, your donations kept me housed and the lights on, and your empathy, embraces and understanding inspired me to greater heights as well.

For someone who has journeyed through most of life isolated, what you did I get to celebrate every morning with my Good morning post. You made me feel important, worthwhile, and a part of this amazing family when all I could offer was a plea for help.

To my brothers and sisters here on DU, Thank You.
With love and hugs to each of you, thank you thank you, thank you.
Love, John Mckusick

[SheltieLover]

1. Congrats, John!

[JMCKUSICK]

2. Thank you SheltieLover.

[question everything]

3. And.. you have brought this community together

[JMCKUSICK]

27. That's so sweet of you to say Question Everything,

but the truth is that one by one, you all chose to believe me, or at least believe OmahaSteve. The next thing I knew everyone took a small leap of faith, and here we are together nearing a once seemingly impossible to reach finish line.

For a quick chuckle, I must have hired the right attorney, because he predicted this case perfectly, unfortunately, that meant two denials first lol.

[LoisB]

4. I am genuinely happy for you.

[JMCKUSICK]

33. Thank you LoisB, I know you and so many have been there the whole time

[a kennedy]

5. 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻

Congrats……you deserve it.

[JMCKUSICK]

34. Thank you A Kennedy,

It's always been hard to feel that way if you know what I mean.

[2naSalit]

6. Congrats!

So glad this has worked out in your favor!

[JMCKUSICK]

35. Thank you so much 2naSalit, I appreciate the kind words.

[sheshe2]

7. That is great news, John!

[JMCKUSICK]

36. Indeed! Thank you SheShe2

[Joinfortmill]

8. Wonderful news!

[JMCKUSICK]

38. Agreed 100%

[erronis]

9. Your words are a gift to all. Especially the bit about 'I was never alone"

It's hard to reach out for help, but it's also so important to let others do exactly that. It cements our bonds of humanity and caring and lets us pay it forward.

We're in this together. Thank you, John.

[JMCKUSICK]

41. Thank you Erronisw,

I can only imagine how many didn't have the miracles that I did.

I only hope we get to a point where people aren't being tortured trying to prove a disability.

[Hope22]

10. Congratulations!!

I’m so happy for you! 🎉👍

[JMCKUSICK]

42. Thank you Hope22, I really appreciate it.

[flashman13]

11. Score a win for the good guys. Congratulations!

[JMCKUSICK]

43. Thank you Flashman13

[irisblue]

12. Congrats!

[JMCKUSICK]

44. Thank you Irisblue

[Cheezoholic]

13. Thats great news. I don't know what your financial situation is but be careful with any backpay funds they may give you

I didn't have a regular ban account when mine went through and was on Medicaid and SNAP. When I received my back pay check I did what you're supposed to do, opened a checking and savings account to deposit it in. Wammo, I was put on Medicaid and lost my SNAP benefits because when they saw that single deposit it put me over the limit. Medicare didn't pay for a lot of what the Medicaid did. Now I would qualify for the state to cover my Part B payment of now 206 dollars a month initially. But once again once the state saw that check deposited into my account they're making me pay the 200 on top of losing SNAP. I cannot get a decent Medigap policy in my state because its "technically" against state statute for any insurance in the state to write medigap policy's from with in the state to anyone under 65 thats on Medicare. The Medicaid/Snap office tried to tell me I wasn't disabled because I had Medicare but the only way you can get Medicare under 65 is to be disabled!!

Regardless, I was told, by a disability navigator after the fact, that I should've had a family member cosign that check and turn it into cash first for me. The Medicaid office confirmed this and told me to re-file in 6 months if my bank account showed little to no balance!
So thats what I did. I pulled all of the money out into a fire safe in my house. Its insane. I still have nearly 2 years before I turn 65. So I've now refiled all my Medicaid/Medicare paperwork and my SNAP application. Its pretty insane but I should begin recieving SNAP and at least get the 206 dollar copay for Part B covered now because my monthly income is more than enough to qualify. That will save me nearly 2k dollars until I turn 65 and then will be able to get a decent Medigap plan.

If this sounds crazy its more than crazy, it's insane. I have been advised by 2 different people at the Medicaid office that I should've hidden my back pay cash from them and none of this would've happened. So they expect a disabled person to keep a large sum of cash (mine was over 3 years of back pay) at home in order not to be penalized by the system. Insanity. Like I said, not sure of your situation but if youre in a similar one to mine, especially if you're 60 to 65, just be aware if you're currently recieving any type of state aid before disability. Its been a nightmare for me. That check was for 3 years of backpay yet the state counted it as 1 month of income!!

Once again congrats and I hope your situation is much better than mine!! Good Luck!!!!

[JMCKUSICK]

39. I love your name Cheezoholic lol.

You bring up some valid points. My understanding is that there will be a direct deposit and yes, I've been told I'm going to lose everything except for 25 in SNAP every month because the monthly check will be too high, never mind the back pay.

I've called the area senior center and they can't help me until I get a medicare card.

I know I need a prescription plan with 17 of them every month.

While very relieving, it's also quite overwhelming.

Thank you for the wise words.

[summer_in_TX]

57. Good point, Cheezoholic.

I have a friend in a similar situation.

She has been able to hold the excessive money in a STABLE account.

[tazcat]

14. Yay!!!

[JMCKUSICK]

45. Yay indeed, thank you Tazcat.

[Figarosmom]

15. 👍 determination wins the prize

This goes retroactively to when you first applied too, doesn't it? Oh , happy day.

[JMCKUSICK]

40. We stipulated a later date, losing me about 6 months but removing all doubt records wise.

These things don't make any sense in some ways. For example, did you know that the definition of sedentary work hasn't been updated since the 1970's, you know, before the work station, or remote or computers lol.
please keep the animal videos coming, they bring joy and love to me every day. Thank you Figarosmom.

[Danmel]

16. Congratulations!

Very happy for you!

[JMCKUSICK]

46. Thank you so much Danmel

[70sEraVet]

17. So glad that your struggle paid off!

[BumRushDaShow]

18. Glad you finally got a good outcome out of that process!

NOW ONWARD!!

[JMCKUSICK]

54. Thank you BumRushDaShow,

Onward indeed.

[Fla Dem]

19. Great News!!! Sometimes things just turn out the way they should.

[JMCKUSICK]

55. Thank you Fla Dem,

The hearing was such a formality, it was over in about twenty five minutes and there was nothing that disputed my claim. You know, just looked the time before that and the time before that.

What really makes me mad is that we're all celebrating something that shouldn't need lawyers, appeals, bad doctors asking me to jump up and down on one leg when I can hardly stand without assistance.

I'm being positive about the result, but getting angrier that this is what it took.

Imagine all the people who didn't hire a lawyer and are forced through this alone, or worse, for ed to hire one after the fact and have this drag on for years or til they die.

Did you know that if you die before final adjudication, your estate gets nothing.

I'm sorry that I vented, but this anger has been bubbling with every silly step they said was necessary but it took a judge to have enough sense to just look at the facts.

I pray for the others....that suffer on, mostly alone.

[TBF]

20. I'm so happy to hear this John -

hopefully things will be much smoother going forward!

[JMCKUSICK]

56. Thank you TBF, I'll certainly be able to live on that.

Of nothing else, I certainly have learned to be frugal.

[IbogaProject]

21. Awesome

And best wishes for the processing and calculating your backdated lumpsum goes smoothly and rapidly.

[Spazito]

22. I am both happy and very relieved for you....

this is the beginning of a much more secure future for you.

[JMCKUSICK]

51. Thank you Spazito, yes it will.

[Billsdaughter]

23. It's been a long road John.

So glad you made it to your destination. I said before, but worth reiterating today:

The Wheels of Justice turn slowly, but they do indeed turn.

Here's to you, sir. Congratulations!

[JMCKUSICK]

52. Thank you Billsdaughter,

There just has to be a way to start believing people instead of liar until proven correct

[Permanut]

24. Thanks so much for the update..

With a happy ending! I would do a happy dance but I'm 80 years old so I'm not sure I could do it.

[JMCKUSICK]

28. We'll do one together, with our perfect mental bodies.

[Permanut]

37. You're on..

[MNRPh]

25. Super good to hear!

I am relieved this worked out for you! We all appreciate you!

[JMCKUSICK]

29. Thank you MNRPh, you are so very kind.

[MLAA]

26. Official!

[JMCKUSICK]

48. Officially official lol.

[Karadeniz]

30. Woo woo!!!!!!!!

[JMCKUSICK]

49. Woo woo indeed Karadeniz.

[HighFired49]

31. Great news!

So glad this all worked out for you.

[JMCKUSICK]

50. Thank you HighFired49

[debm55]

32. Wonderful news, John. Love, Debbie

[JMCKUSICK]

47. Thank you Debbie, you have been such an angel

[electric_blue68]

53. Excellent news!

[Ziggysmom]

58. I knew you would win. Judges have the power and ability to approve claims

which the regular Disability Specialist cannot do. Different rules & regs for each level of appeal is really stupid. Congratulations, now you can breathe easier 🥰

[JMCKUSICK]

59. Thank you so much Ziggysmom, and please know I pray

For your peace of mind and well being too

[Clouds Passing]

60. YAY 🎉 you persevered, you won 😀

[JMCKUSICK]

61. Thank you CP, your save advice and suggestions played

A major role in my mental well being. I can't imagine what this would have been like without you and so many others. Thank you

I hope you're grinding along in a positive direction too.

[Clouds Passing]

83. It's too hard to navigate that process without help.

I’m moving forward…….s l o w l y but surely. Thanks for asking. I hope you are moving forward into greater strength and endurance. Be patient with yourself and tolerant of the world.

[niyad]

62. huggggggggs. Holding you in light and love.

[JMCKUSICK]

63. I can feel it from here, Thank you Niyad.

I'm amazed that I already have a benefit letter and a Medicare number.

[Alliepoo]

64. What great news!!

I am SO happy for you!!!

[JMCKUSICK]

66. Thank you Alliepoo.

[Quanto Magnus]

65. Congratulations!

It is a super sh@#$y time to get to the end of that process. I went through it from 2009-2018.

Good on you to stick it out.

[JMCKUSICK]

67. Thank you Quanto Magnus, I wouldn't have survived that long.

[Faux pas]

68. Face it John,

we just plain LOVE YOU

[JMCKUSICK]

73. That's so sweet, and I actually believe you Faux Pas. That's new for me. Thank you!

[proud patriot]

69. DUers are awesome

[JMCKUSICK]

74. Yes yes yes, a thousand times yes Proud Patriot.

[calimary]

70. Hey John, I don't presume to speak for everybody here, but

I’m sure of one thing: DU is the best, and it’s the DUers who make it so! You can always find a friend or companion or someone to celebrate with you, or a shoulder to cry on, ANY hour of ANY day, here.

It’s somehow the best meeting place I’ve ever found, where complete strangers suddenly realize they have a bond with someone else here. Often it’s a bond with MANY someone elses.

I’m glad your benefits hearing went well. One thing less to worry about, ‘eh?

Love and hugs back atcha!

[JMCKUSICK]

75. You are so right Calimary, and that's pretty unique.

Been on others and there isn't the willingness to bond beyond politics, here that's not the case....Family!

[AZ8theist]

71. Congrats, John!!

But it shouldn't have to be this difficult to get the benefits you deserve. The system SUX sometimes.
Kudos to you for hanging in there!

[JMCKUSICK]

76. Thank you AZ8theist, none of this was possible without all of you!

[wendyb-NC]

72. Congratulations

So glad to hear you got it.

[JMCKUSICK]

77. Thank you WendyB-NC

[sinkingfeeling]

78. Congratulations! Finally.

[FalloutShelter]

79. The best news, John.

Congrats.

[JMCKUSICK]

80. Thank you Fallout Shelter it really has been.

[mvd]

81. Congrats!

I am so glad your efforts paid off. If I wasn’t also financially struggling, I would have donated, but believe me I was there with lots of good vibes and thoughts. Happy for you!

[JMCKUSICK]

82. Thank you Mvd,

Please know that while the donations were critical in keeping me housed, your and so many others' kind words, thoughts wishes, prayers and vibes were hugely important as well. I can't count the number of times one of you wrote something that just broke me down to crying because of the love, grace and empathy that all of you have offered.

Please know that the words are equally the reason why I'm alive today.