Fibromyalgia Support Group

Is anyone on here familiar with Federal Medical Disability Retirement? I'm now forced to apply for disability...I've worked full time for many years, pushing myself beyond what I really should have been. I've had so many ospitalizations & "crashes"...like many of you have known, I'm sure. My boss has been trying to get me to apply for Disability retirement for quite some time now, but I was in denial about how bad my health had become. I realize now that I can no longer push myself & continue to work. So, the process of applying will begin.

I'm terrified of the financial implications. What have some of you done? I am a widow & have NO savings. Right now I'm off work without pay because I've used up all of my leave time.

Any suggestions? I am totally naive about applying for any of this, and the paperwork all seems so overwhelming...and I don't know if it's my brain fog, but I don't understand a lot of it. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I don't know about the state of Michigan but here in Washington, I went to the depratment of social and health services and when I applied for assistance with them they assigned me a caseworker who helped me file my first application with Social Security. I was of course denied and then went and got an attorney who works on a contingency basis, that all started 2 years ago, now I have a hearing on the 13th of this month to see if I have been approved. Maybe you could get some kind of state aid to help you out while you file for Social Security disability. Hope this helps, if you have any questions feel free to ask them. Good luck!

Thank you...I guess I just didn't even know where to start. I feel a little "paralyzed" right now & can't get myself to get the paperwork started. The Federal paperwork from work is a nightmare. I know I've got to get it done so I can at least start the process, especially since it takes so long. I do appreciate your suggestions for SSI/SSDI, though!

i filed mine in aug, had a mental health exam on the 10th, my husbands ex wife just got hers approved after only one denial and one court hearing she hired a lawyer after her denial. good luck

I hope I can be of some help to you because I do live in Michigan as well. I have a couple of questions though. What part of Michigan do you live in? With your age, problems, occupation, I see no problems for you to get SSD/SSI. You may want to get an attorney, it's totally up to you, however, I now do not feel we needed him although I did get some help from a family member who had applied at a much younger stage and was approved. My attorney wanted me to lie on my application, and I said absolutely not, so I wrote the truth, and wish I hadn't hired him because he got a chunk of the money whe I was approved and he wanted me to do something illegal!! If you would like to, you could pm me and let me know what city you live in and I can help you get some help, and if you live close enough, perhaps I could help you myself. I'm surely glad I opened this post, because I hope to be some help to you. Helping others is so rewarding to me!

Hugs~

Christine

I live in the Metro-Detroit area--where do you live? I really appreciate your willingness to help me, because I'm pretty overwhelmed with all of this right now.

Hi

I am terrified that I will have to go on disability. I have been out of work for 2 years. I am a teacher and I am going to take 3 classes to be able to teach special education. I can hardly walk. my knee was injured and it is not getting better.

Ok my question. Should I start early trying to get disability? Is their such a thing as just assistance, while I am off. I have everything fibromyalgia can throw at one person. I am single with out children. I find that I can get nowhere because I do not have children. I am trying not to give up. I live in the chicago area.

jojo

jojo if you are out of work for 2 years you could apply for ssdi, usually based on the years that you've worked and your previous income, requires alot of paperwork and time with every doc faxing paperwork, some first time applicants get declined depending on your state, I was approved the first time, you can still take your courses and in my state I can work up to 10 hours a week. Just some info hope this helps.

Adelle

4him, WELCOME! You need to contact ALLSUP and they can help you with all the paperwork or at lest tell you if you even qualify. I filed myself the first time and anyone that is thinking about or has gone through this, you are ALWAYS Denied the first time around depending on what State you live in. For me, living in Louisiana, the laws are more stricted. After filing with Allsup, All the headache was gone as for the paperwork. You get a letter from the SSD department telling you of an upcoming appt. or an exam, you will have to go talk to a shrink, this is all part of the process. Keep all appts they set for you and when they ask you questions, be honest. Tell them what you can or can't do on a daily basis, how long it takes you do anything is helpful. I will be more than happy to help you get the ball rolling. If you want anything else, that you think could help, PM me and I will help you. Again, WELCOME TO OUR GROUP. God Bless You and Good Luck! shortstuff

Post edited by: shortstuff116, at: 01/04/2011 01:24 PM

I echo Adelle's words, honey. Good luck in your venture. I will continue to pray for you.

Hugs~

Christine