Social Security Disability Review

A note to bring everyone back up to date: I had SSD for a little over 3 years, of which I had to go before a judge with a lawyer to get the benefits the first time around. Well, this past September they started a review of my file and here's the latest.

The review decision came in and while my "conditions are troublesome" I should be working 40 hours a week!!!

So, I'm back at war fighting for my disability rights. I had to go to court the first time around and I'm prepared to go for it again if necessary.

I have four stages for the appeal and the first one I'm going it without a lawyer. It's a Reconsideration where you can present new information and meet with a Disability Hearing Officer (someone who has supposedly never seen your case). You can also bring people to your meeting who are witness to your disease, such as friends or family. My Mother (who I live with) and my sister (an RN) are coming with me. I have my main Rheumy Doctor working on a detailed letter, since they only took her office visits notes during the review.

I've filled out the required paperwork, very detailed with every last piece of information I can think of, and I've turned in everything on time. Oh, a long time family friend wrote a great letter about her watching me grow up and going through everything, all the changes, from being healthy to being where I am now. It's the most amazing letter. Whether anyone bothers to read it or not, well, that's another question. So, now it's just sit back and wait.

(My expectations are non-existent - I'm sure this will go on and on. I'll probably need a lawyer AGAIN and go to the next level.)