By trade I am a massage therapist, but haven't been able to work since I got my license...my body just can't do it. So seeing as I really havne't worked much in my life, my husband thinks I am not eligable for disability or SS.

DOes anyone know anything about this? I would think I should be able for something....what about people who are born with illnesses that can never work, they can get money....

THank you

Here's a link for the Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool (BEST). It will help you find out if you could be eligible for benefits from any of the programs Social Security administers: https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps7/best/benefits/

Here's the main SSD page: http://www.ssa.gov/disability/

Hope this helps.

Lori

Isn't it so sad, that here we are...these once naturopaths, believing in alternative healing, etc...and now we are subject to a life of hell.

thanks for the links, I wll check them out.

hugs to you,

j

Based on the information you gave, you could get the benefits listed below now or later in addition to any benefits you're already getting.

Spouse's Benefits

To be eligible for Social Security spouse’s benefits, you must:

Be married for at least one year to someone who receives Social Security retirement or disability benefits;

Be at least 62 years old or caring for a child (under age 16 or disabled) of the retired or disabled worker; and

Not be getting a higher Social Security retirement benefit based on your own work.

Based on the other information you gave, you could get Social Security spouse’s benefits whenever your spouse begins to receive benefits if you are not getting a higher benefit on your own work record.

http://disabilityblogger.blogspot.com/2006/09/social- security-disability-ssi-and_27.html

http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/social-security-disability- lyme-disease.html

I hear a lot of rumors but some of them include that the SSD denies the first time: everyone under 50, everyone with fibromyalgia or CFS, everyone with Lyme. But if you appeal the decision, you will get it as long as your medical records reflect illness. I think it involves a lot more than that.

I was denied the first time and I am waiting for appeal. At the time of my denial, my treating physician was my pain management physician, and he submitted a letter that stated that I would never be able to work in any gainful capacity - and had the medical records to back it up. I was still denied. But I had fibromyalgia and was under 50, so...I don't know.

I know I could never be gainfully employed...tire too easily, too much pain, can't lift too much, can't stand too long, can't sit too long...sometimes the government just pisses me off....I know people on disablilty who are just fine....and I know people who really need it who are denied

Yeah, I'm bitter. Last winter, my doc retired two weeks before I received the paperwork from my work disability (for the 2-year mark). I didn't have another physician who could step in - I had specialists who were treating me, but not a primary physician who had a history with me who could say that I was disabled for these reasons. So, I guess you always have to have a spare or you lose your benefits.

I have severe fibro , small fiber, large fiber and autonomic nervous system neuropathy. I have degenerative disk disease in my spine. I am full of arthritis. My muscles are weak and I have atrophy in my left arm and left leg. The muscles on the inside of my feet have weakened and my big toes are starting to go underneath my other toes (they've moved 1/2 inch in the last 6 months). I've lost 110+ lbs. in the last year for no reason, with 70lbs. lost in 4 months. I have almost no motility in my intestines. I've had seizures and abnormal brain scans. I have Raynaud's, severe full-body pain and fatigue, migraines, TMJ, muscles twitching and shaking, dizziness, nerve pain, a constant vibrating hum that runs through my body like I have a screwdriver in an electrical socket. In two months I lost half my head of hair, lost most of the use of my hands. My eyesight has deteriorated rapidly. I have scars all over my body from multiple rashes. I have pain all over my body like someone is stabbing me. I have large spots of burning in different places all over. My face burns 24/7 like a severe sunburn, and it makes my eyes water all the time. I wear the numbness in my legs like thigh-high stockings. Due to severe muscle weakness, I've lost the ability to laugh and cough and have trouble breathing. ANS neuropathy symptoms are responsible for decay in many root-canaled crowned teeth and I can't afford to get them all fixed (root surgery and replacement of crowns and bridges). Geez, I could go on and on but my point is that we all have so many symptoms and need disability for as long as we need it.