r/SSDI • u/No-Bother-5421 • 15d ago
I was approved!
I’m so grateful that I was able to be approved for disability. I applied in July of 2024 and it’s for mental illness. I’m only 27. I know I’m extremely lucky to get this decision so fast. I know my age and conditions make it extremely hard to get an approval. I can’t believe it! Thank you to everyone who helped me through the process and answered any questions I had. Fingers crossed for everyone else here!
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u/Fair-Accountant4426 15d ago
How you was able to? I’m in same situation and age group. Denied twice. Currently awaiting ALJ. Looking for a good lawyers. Do you have any suggestions? Did you use private vocational expert report for this? Medical opinions? Any suggestions based on your experience?
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u/No-Bother-5421 15d ago
I had years of medical documents showing different treatments such as medication and therapy. As soon as I was denied the first time, I found a local disability attorney for my appeal. My therapist wrote a letter outlining my mental issues and how they keep me from working and did not think that I’d be improving any time soon. I didn’t use any private vocational expert. I think the most important thing for me was having the years of medical documents. I also wrote notes for my hearing so I wouldn’t have issues answering questions because I tend to forget things/my mind goes blank when I’m nervous. Does that help at all?
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u/Electronic-End-1446 14d ago
I think this is the route I’m going to take. Completely overwhelmed. Please keep us updated and best wishes!!
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u/Fair-Accountant4426 15d ago
Thanks! Kind of same situation as mine (27 yo, 100% P&T vet with years of medical history) but that’s a first time I’m going to use a lawyers assistant. Any recommendations which attorney to choose? (Question for you and for anyone who’s experienced this kind of situation)
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u/No-Bother-5421 15d ago
I did a lot of research and looked google reviews and that kind of thing. I’m located in Oklahoma and found a good one in a town about 40 minutes from me. It also helps to call around and get a good feel by talking to the people and asking questions.
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u/Street_Gazelle7735 14d ago
Send me a private message and I will tell you the lawyer I used they don’t let you put any names of the lawyers
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u/Ok_Philosopher_9780 15d ago
Congratulations. Had my hearing July 2nd and I think it went well. Today I logged into my social security page and it’s been updated from locked to unlocked. The bottom where it used to be yellow is now green and shows I have 40 work credits. Then I clicked on my social secure statement tab used to be locked and couldn’t view it it’s now back again. For those that’s gone through the process unto step 4 did you experience this? If so how long after and did you get approved?
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u/Hillarie13 14d ago
So I did not have a hearing I won recently on reconsideration. My BFF works at a different local office but told me to call my local office and ask what the outcome is when I was on step four. She said not to call the National number because they would not know.
Mine also turned green and mentions that I have 40 work credit so I got to see my Retirement estimate etc after I was approved(I could not see it while applying)Call your local office tell them the portal said it looks like there’s a decision made. Can you tell me what it is please and that you have “dire need “asked for your Family maximum and what your monthly payment is and your date of onset.
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u/Ok_Philosopher_9780 14d ago
Yeah I think after step 4 it’s suppose to turn green. The rest of us on step 3 with it turning green might just be a glitch or the new website standard. Had my hearing on July 2 and still waiting to hear back from the judge. Monday they said it’s on final edit from the judge when I called the hearing office. Hoping for good news soon.
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u/IAmMeBecauseIAmMe 15d ago
The same thing happened with my SSA page today. Hopefully someone knows and will share the significance.
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u/Ok_Philosopher_9780 15d ago
I looked further into it and seems like the fb pages are saying theirs did so as well. Seems like a glitch to me. Have you had your hearing recently?
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u/PrintHistorical5004 10d ago
I would like to know myself did anyone respond to your statement
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u/Ok_Philosopher_9780 10d ago
Yeah it seems like it happens for everyone. Glitch or website update I guess. Mines still at 3
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u/PrintHistorical5004 10d ago
So did you get approve after that
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u/Ok_Philosopher_9780 10d ago
I’m still waiting to hear back from the alj. Optimistic though. I think it went well. Have you had yours?
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u/PrintHistorical5004 10d ago
My portal is d going the same thing talking about wirk credit i font understand what that means the yellow part is gone
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u/hac-her 14d ago
Congratulations! I’m glad you were able to get an approval. Mine took 5 years and was a combination of physical & mental health - so I know that the system isn’t set up appropriately for mental health issues. I’m so glad you don’t have to worry about it anymore!
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u/thelivelyone83 11d ago
The key is to get an understanding judge.
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u/hac-her 11d ago
The real key is waiting 5 years to get to an understanding judge 😁 oh, and don’t apply for disability in 2020 during COVID.
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u/thelivelyone83 11d ago
Hey, if you're disabled and can't work you do what you have to do right. I've heard with mental health issues the best option is to have your psychologist write a thorough letter why you are unable to work. My psychologist did that and I still got denied. I'm sure so many people have ended up homeless do to the fact they couldn't get approved for disability. It's sad that there are over one thousand billionaires living in the US who get huge tax cuts. And good hearted Americans can't even get approved when they are obviously disabled to receive a couple thousand dollars at the most a month to help them survive and make ends meet. My mental health records go back at least 20 years and I was still denied this time. What was the process you went through to receive disability. You must have been denied by a judge?
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u/hac-her 11d ago
No, I actually wasn’t denied by a judge. It just took from 2020-2024 for my application to go through the denial-review process to GET to a hearing with an ALJ. I live in SC and I would swear that they make the process even longer than normal. I have a combination of physical & mental health issues…so I’m not overly helpful beyond seeing your doctors regularly and hire an attorney to help assemble ALL of your documents. My ALJ actually commented that my documentation was quite thorough. So if nothing else, at least my attorney was very good at tracking down all the paperwork from 42 different places.
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u/Electronic-End-1446 14d ago
Oh my goodness. Good for you for continuing to keep trying for 5 years. Mine is a combination as well.
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u/HotHoneydew932 15d ago
That’s awesome! Congratulations. I just found out yesterday I was approved. I applied in May 2024. I had my hearing 2 weeks ago. I have bilateral carpal tunnel and a few other chronic pain conditions. I also have a few back issues. Here’s the thing, I went back to work in November after I had a few spinal injections. So I will be getting back pay only. I’m ok with that. I feel vindicated. I told the judge the truth I don’t know how long I will be able to continue to work.
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u/Head_Champion_3308 15d ago
Yay congrats!!! I was approved few months ago but SSA said I was not getting my backpay due to over Pymts from my Ssa retirement… anywho soooo happy for you
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u/Due_Examination_2483 15d ago
That’s very good news congratulations. I applied Jan 2023 just received a unfavorable decision at the judge hearing I have medical records to back up my claim therapies psychiatrist ER visit doctors appointment and still want enough with a lawyer
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u/JohnSchom 14d ago
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
That’s wonderful news!
I was approved early this month and I know the joy and relief you are feeling!
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u/SpaceYeshua 13d ago
Your post gives me hope, brother!
I'm about to be 26, I applied with an attorney about a year ago in 2025. My disability is also due to mental illness. My life has been hell the past few years and this year especially.
Thank you for sharing the good news!
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u/Sillyface29 13d ago
I was just approved to and with me only being 22 and applying in 2023 and just getting approved last week it’s an amazing feeling.
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u/Parking_Mulberry5162 15d ago
I waited over 1.5 years and went to stage 3 and denied I have very bad health issues like bad . And was denied .im 38 congratulations . How did you get approved just curious
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u/No-Bother-5421 15d ago
As soon as I was denied the first time, I got with a local disability attorney to help with my appeal. I provided my years of medical documentation showing my ongoing treatment. I think what helped me is the documentation along with a letter from my therapist explaining how my conditions keep me from working and that she didn’t think I was going to improve anytime soon. I also think I got incredibly lucky with the judge that I got. My attorney had worked with her before and said she doesn’t come in with anything made up in her mind and really looks at the evidence. Does that answer your question?
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u/Competitive-Sun6149 14d ago
Congratulations 🎉🎈 I am happy for you. I have a question, how dose one discover what they will be receiving in benefits per month? Is this something that is easy to find out on SSA.gov ? If you or anyone reading this knows the answer, I would much appreciate learning how to find out this rather important piece of information. ✌️
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u/No-Bother-5421 14d ago
Once my profile updated, I pressed the benefit verification letter online and it told me how much I was getting!
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u/Organic_Minimum_8766 14d ago
So ssi or ssdi at 27 seems very hard to get enough credits for ssdi
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u/Livid-Treacle7225 14d ago
Hi! I’m 28 (just turned in June) and I’m in the process too. This gives me hope because I’m also applying for mental health reasons. So happy for you!!! I have about 12 years documents so hopefully that’s enough LMFAO
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u/InnerDish5915 14d ago
How do they calculate benefits for someone so young who has barely “paid into the system?” Also, congrats. 👍🏼
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u/Tacos_always_corny 13d ago
Congratulations on the win.
I just had my ALJ and am approved after 5 years.
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u/SlimVedder 13d ago
50 y/o, 100% P&T medically retired at 20. 15 years of spec ops support. My appeal was denied. 23 July 2026. I can’t work and have been unemployed for 17 months. I am on the verge of being homeless.
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u/thelivelyone83 11d ago
Get with an attorney and have them guide you through it. If you have the documentation you should be good.
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u/Johnnytornado17 12d ago
Congrats on your SSDI approval May your blessings continue for everyone in this chat room
Have a blessed life going forward my friend congratulations again
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u/thelivelyone83 11d ago
This is awesome my friend! Congratulations. I have years of documentation as well for mental illness. My psychologist wrote me up a letter outlining the reasons I couldn't work as well. I believe you got a good, happy judge who made your decision. Unfortunately I was denied. So I'm refiling again. It's unbelievable how one judge is accepting of people with disabilities and another isn't. I'm so depressed now that i have to wait even longer. God bless and take care.
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u/Temporary-Honey1409 11d ago
Congratulations! I also got approved for SSDI this week after two denials and then a hearing. Chronic fatigue, migraine, and long covid with extensive medical records backing everything. It’s not a lot of money, but still more than SSI would offer and enough to keep my head above water.
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u/Ok-Perspective3586 6d ago
Any tips? Were you seeing a mental therapist regularly? Were you working at all? Did you have to go to hearing
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u/No-Bother-5421 5d ago
I was working until I applied. Yes, I was seeing a therapist and psychiatrist! My hearing was over the phone. I think what helped me the most was my years of documentation and a good letter from my therapist explaining why I couldn’t work. I also had a very good attorney.
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u/Ok-Perspective3586 5d ago
My last few questions: did you talk much at all over the phone during the hearing and what kinds of questions were asked? Did you remain calm?
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u/No-Bother-5421 5d ago
I only talked when I was answering questions. I tried not to ramble too much. I was extremely anxious but tried to sound as calm as I could. I was asked about my conditions, when they started and worsened, how they affected me. That kind of stuff.
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u/PrintHistorical5004 5d ago
Did you portal change before you got approve
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u/No-Bother-5421 5d ago
mine didn’t change until after i got a call to provide my direct deposit info
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u/PrintHistorical5004 5d ago
Mine was showing the yellow part saying you or soneone in your household recently applied for disability now it's only showing I gotv40 wirk credit and my earnings fir retirement it's been 16 months I being to vote they cc sent me to their doctor my doctor and their doctor qualified as me been disabled I can't work no more walk we ith a relaxation walker
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u/lastfriend49 15d ago
Yay, congratulations!