Social Security told me to fuck off.... again...

[OldBaldy1701E]

Well, I am done with this shit, how about the rest of you? I guess I don't qualify for any aid from the government since I am not greedy enough to have been what most consider a 'proper American' when I was younger. (Never had a credit card, never got a loan, never bought a car or anything on credit... ergo, I must be evil or something.) I guess it is time to die slowly since I am too much of a coward to end it quickly. My body is in bad enough shape... I can just start eating junk and not stop... that should do the trick.

[XanaDUer2]

1. Please have a free consultation with a SSDI lawyer

Mine performed miracles. Good luck

[OldBaldy1701E]

25. I am on my second.

So far, both have proven to be ineffective. I guess one has to be in the 'clique' to get anything in this country. I mean, I could try the social media thing and attack the SS office and the government for turning me down, and it might work as the piranha pool does get results on occasion, even if there is little left from the attack. But, I am not like that. I was told to be nice to others and it would come back to me. It didn't. I was told to be respectful to others and others would be respectful to me. They were not. At this point, I am not believing anything anyone says. The world took advantage of my naivete and my nice nature for over five decades. It got what it wanted from me. Now I am the one asking and the reply is 'meh'. It is no wonder that 'going postal' is a common thing here. It is no wonder that suicide is on the rise here. When you live in a place that does not seem to want you to live... well, what else can one do?

[GreenWave]

2. Social security is based on your and employer's contributions.

If some bloke never worked, they do not get a dime. But the more you work and put in, the more you get at a certain age. I suggest get near 70 so you get that LAST 8% boost until Colas kick in. And you can keep on getting more moolah by continuing to work.

[TexasTowelie]

4. It appears that the OP is seeking to be classified for disability.

Suggesting that the OP attempt to make it to 70 to maximize benefits doesn't seem plausible for someone in that situation.

There are a number of studies that indicate that taking early retirement at 62 is probably the best option for people suffering from health problems. Why continue working until the age of 70 to maximize benefits if the health problems will leave someone incapacitated or dead before they reach the goal line? It makes more sense to take care and enjoy oneself rather than deal with the additional stress of being employed and unhealthy.

[OldBaldy1701E]

26. Yes, it does.

But making sense is not exactly our society's strong suit.

[Jirel]

9. This is a myth. You maximize nothing by waiting.

Social Security lawyer here, with mathematical facts -

Did you ever wonder how your monthly retirement amount is calculated when you’re in the zone to claim it between 62 and 70 1/2? Social Security has an actuarial table for how long people are likely to live. The TOTAL spent in your benefits, between the day you start taking them and that actuarial “expiration date” is identical.

That men’s the only way you get a better deal, i.e. win, is to LIVE LONGER than your “expiration date.”

How do you live longer? By worrying less, getting better food and medical care, not wearing yourself out, having funds for fixing problems with home or car, and so on. That means that it pays to take your retirement whenever you are ready, not as late as possible. If you are better off, you can bank the excess funds, grow them through various investments, and have a nest egg on hand for various later needs.

Telling people to wait, as some “financial advisors” do, is terrible advice.

[GreenWave]

11. Exception to the "rule" here.

Remember they exist for a reason.
Water!
Walk!
More Water!
(Those are the Big 3 many ignore on a daily basis.)
Stretch. (More variety is good)
Avoid Processed foods.
Eat fewer convenience foods.
Let your body do its job: Create its own protein, sugars once in a while.
Realize there is more to this planet than just plants and animals.



Also not mentioned if you have a non working for wages spouse some differences apply as well.

[Farmer-Rick]

3. I assume you are applying for SS disability

Get a lawyer especially if you are in a red state. The state controls access though the funding and general eligibility is controlled by the federal government.

You don't have to have put in to it to get it out. But someone, like your parents, had to put into it.

My uncle was minus a kidney, had inoperable back pain with severe hypertension and they still told him no. He applied twice. He then got a lawyer and he got his disability. It was back paid to when he first applied so he got a big lump sum.

So, keep trying. Red states are particularly bad at helping get benefits for the disabled.

[OldBaldy1701E]

24. My first attempt was in a red state.

This second one is in a blue state. And, surprise, surprise... there is no difference in that I am denied and will have to slowly waste away while watching my beloved work himself into an early grave trying to keep us afloat. Face it, when one is in the lower social tier, one gets marching orders and that is all. And, if one does not march (for whatever reason) then one is left out to perish.

[Farmer-Rick]

28. Well, the states are now in deny mode, even if you are in a blue state.

You don't always have to pay the lawyer. In TN the lawyer takes a part of your lump sum payment.

My uncle was struggling to keep a job because of all the off time he had to take due to the pain. The lawyer just took a part of his SS payment. TN limits how much a lawyer can take. Probably most blue states do to. But it doesn't seem to stop good lawyers from helping out poorer folks. Really, look into a good lawyer it may not cost you anything more.

[OldBaldy1701E]

32. TN was the red state I was living in at the time. (n/t)

[Farmer-Rick]

33. I know, TN has a 40% approval rate of initial application

It could be worse. DC has a 30% approval rate. The highest is around 65% in Alaska.

[walkingman]

5. SS has nothing to do with your credit rating.... as a previous poster mentioned

it depends on how many quarters were earned in the last 10 years ending with the year your disability begins. If it is a medical disability that usually requires doctor certification.

You need to be more specific if you would like additional information.

[OldBaldy1701E]

14. I have not worked in ten years.

I worked all the time for the 37 years previous. I guess that counts for nothing.

[walkingman]

16. Are you presently drawing SS?

[OldBaldy1701E]

18. Negative. I receive nothing from anyone.

Except my beloved husband, who works part time after Panera royally screwed him over during the pandemic. (Oh, not just him, BTW. They dissolved an entire division... something like 3000 jobs nationally, just removed... during the lockdown... with little or no warning... but we love unfettered capitalism, right?)

[OldBaldy1701E]

27. I am aware of that.

My point was that, since I was not a good little wage slave, I do not get anything from the society that espouses being a good little wage slave. Sorry for the confusion.

[Grasswire2]

6. My U.S. senator broke through the red tape and obtained disability designation for my daughter.

Now an adult.

But when she was still a minor, she was denied benefits until we finally asked our senator for help. Voila. I contacted his local office, not D.C.

[OldBaldy1701E]

17. I wish I had such connections, but I am less than a blip on any politician's radar.

So I doubt any would give me the time of day. Thanks for the suggestion though. Who knows, such a channel might open.

[3Hotdogs]

19. You walk into any congressional local office and ask for constituent services.

Explain your problem and ask for help. Do that before contacting an ss lawyer. It worked for me when I was seeking help getting through V.A. red tape with my mother. Many Congress reps have one or two offices in their district.


If you end up needing an SS lawyer, call your county's Bar Association office and ask for SS lawyers. Initial consultations are free or $25 or so.

[Grasswire2]

22. no, no, don't think that way.

I didn't have connections. The local office of a Senator is usually adept at advocating for constituents.

I sent a very brief summary of my daughter's medical situation, and a photograph of her, in a personal letter to him at local office. I was also intent to pay a call to that office if needed. He came through. It took time, but it happened.

[Beachnutt]

7. Youtube will educate you on

getting Social Security retirement benefits

[Fiendish Thingy]

8. It's not clear what benefits you are being denied

SS retirement benefits wouldn’t be affected by credit scores or history.

SSDI would want to know your assets, but also would need to determine your eligibility for disability separate from your assets.

Sorry this is happening to you, hope things work out for you.

[OldBaldy1701E]

15. It was for Disability.

I have no assets. I have nothing but the skin on my ass and even that is about to fail. I guess I will have to cut off both arms to be considered and even then they will tell me that I can still work because I can walk.

[walkingman]

20. Here are some of the issues -

1.In order to draw SS disability you must show a disability. Sometimes (most of the time) this has to be verified by a physician.

2. The number of work credits you need to qualify for disability benefits depends on your age when your disability begins. Generally, you need 40 credits, 20 of which were earned in the last 10 years ending with the year your disability begins.

3. To qualify for public assistance (food stamps, Medicaid, and you are married it will depend on you income.

4. If you are age 62 or older you can draw SS based on your work credits or if your spouse if drawing SS you can also draw on his benefits if they are larger than your.

Since you are married you must have some assets? Husbands income, housing, property, savings, etc. You might be surprised how much you can make and still qualify for public assistance - depending on the state where you live.

[OldBaldy1701E]

21. Okay.

1. I don't know what else to do about it. They can't observe me every second of every day to see what is going on and since I cannot command my issues to be 'Hollywood' obvious when it matters, I am at a loss.

2. Which all means that I paid into a system that is unwilling to help me. I guess I should be glad that I helped others. Because that is all I am going to get out of it. Let me be clear. I will not survive to retirement age as things stand. If the intention is to try to 'outlast' me, then they are well on their way to doing it. I guess they have to try and hang on to as much of that pile as they can and making sure that an ever-growing percentage of the potential claimants never get the chance to make a claim is a good way to do it.

3. SNAP benefits ran out four months ago. They will not renew them. I have no income. My husband makes squat because he had to scramble to get a job after the company he worked for screwed him and 3000 other people during the lockdown. But apparently, making any money is an excuse to say that we are too 'solvent' to be in dire straits.

4. I am three years from that. And, as I am reading things, that line is going to go up even higher. I won't make it to that age unless I get some freaking help.

Property? Savings? I guess those are valid questions but they are also hysterical to someone who has had the life I have had.

[OldBaldy1701E]

10. Sorry... Let me clarify...

I applied to get Social Security Disability for the second time. They determined that I do not meet the definition for the second time. I had an attorney for both attempts. The first one basically 'disappeared' after a three year battle culminated in the first judge telling me that I was ineligible. I have notified my attorney who is handling this second attempt of the decision by the panel. Now I am at the point where I can a) appeal, b) re-apply, c) drop the matter entirely, or d) go play in traffic. Option d is the best one.

[GreenWave]

12. I am sorry to hear about that.

Apparently others knew from previous posts and I was caught en media res. My apologies.

[OldBaldy1701E]

13. No apology necessary. I was vague due to blinding rage.

Still am. Not sure how I am able to type.

[Farmer-Rick]

30. If you trust your 2nd lawyer, appeal

I would appeal if I was in your situation. If you don't trust your current lawyer get a new one to help you appeal. My experience with lawyers is you have to go through several of them to find a good one. Lawyers who have recently passed the bar seem to be better, if you ask me.

My uncle got his SS disability after 4 attempts 2 filings and 2 appeals. It was a surprise.

We thought he wouldn't get it. He felt like he was just going through the motions. But he was a tenacious little prairie dog. Then surprise, he won. He got a $10,000 lump sum payment and that was after the lawyers fees.

Also if your condition has gotten worse....which most conditions left untreated do get worse, document, document, document. My uncle was always documenting everything.

[XanaDUer2]

31. Great advice

Id def appeal with a new attorney. My attorney got it on my first appeal.

His office did everything. Met deadlines, collected medical records, everything.

[hunter]

23. I'm totally screwed that way too.

Seriously, the last time I ever bought anything on credit with my own good name was 1987.

My primary survival skill, as a mentally ill crazy guy, has always been me being the nice guy.

There are multiple universes where I'm welcomed to sleep on the sofa or the garden shed for so long as I liked.

1976-1986 in this universe.

It could have been a laundromat.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everything_Everywhere_All_at_Once

[kozar]

34. Please slow down

Read your DU email and call me

Koz

[OldBaldy1701E]

35. So, here is why I am so upset about this.

Other than the fact that I am looking into the abyss, that is. The previous Tuesday I had received a call from my attorney who informed me that her staff had contacted the SS office to inquire about my case. They were informed that it had been approved. She told me that she would believe it when she saw something in writing, but she felt 'cautiously optimistic'. When I saw that letter this past Friday, I figured that it was confirmation of what my lawyer had told me.

Well, it wasn't. I am tired of struggling against the inevitable. I will never know anything but struggle, loss and failure. Thus has it been, and thus it shall ever be.

[OldBaldy1701E]

36. An Update... of sorts...

So, my attorney has been trying to find out what has happened, and it appears that although I was denied the Disability, there is also the matter of Supplemental Security Income, which I also filed for. THAT is what I appear to be approved for. However, we have not heard from SS yet to find out if this is the case. Thanks for all the input and good thoughts.