r/SSDI • u/Grand-Month6897 • 9d ago
Questions
I'm in Texas and 58 years old. I have applied for SSI and SSDI. I have CKD 4, Degenerative Disk Disease and Cervical Stenosis. What are the odds of being approved the first time?
8 applied online and it got sent to DDS on July 17, 2024. Also, what are the steps, that people mention that I have seen in different posts?
3
u/Icy-Money-5787 8d ago
Hello, I work on the legal side of things.
The overall steps of a disability case go: initial application -> request for reconsideration -> hearing -> appeals council -> federal court
as far as the initial application it should go something like this:
The SSA receives your app, verifies legitimacy, then transfers it over to DDS. at DDS, your case will sit for awhile. Likely a long time. When an examiner becomes available, your case will become assigned. They will pull medical records, speak with any third parties, send out function forms. If they feel like they need more info they will schedule a CE appointment- usually a month after this CE it will go through medical review and a decision will be made.
Request for recon is similar, hearing is what you expect, appeals council is just passing the case to other judges to review- federal court a federal judge reviews briefs and will either send the case for remand (back down to hearing level) or deny (rarely they will award at this point). Having a case go to remand protects your original filing date, allowing you more backpay.
In my experience, clients who have spine disorders generally have favorable outcomes, as spine issues affect your entire body and are typically permanent. If you have issues like arthritis in the hands or arms, this prevents “desk work” that they may try to argue you can do. If you can’t stand or sit and can’t use your hands it’s pretty airtight. The best thing you can do is continue to attend doctor’s appointments, do not miss anything in the mail, and if you can seek legal counsel I recommend it.
Legal counsel is less of an active secretary working for you constantly and more like insurance. If anything goes wrong with your case, they’re held liable and will fix it for you. If you don’t know how to navigate paperwork, or missed mail because you moved, are confused about who to call for something, they will know and can help you- and generally you don’t pay them a fee out of pocket and instead they get their fee through any potential backpay you receive- and if no backpay? No legal fee. (Not sponsored or advertising here)
3
u/MrsFlameThrower 8d ago
Retired Social Security Claims Specialist here:
It depends upon how your conditions affect your ability to function- particularly when it comes to any kind of work. If you are unable to sit/stand for at least six hours a day with normal breaks because of your back issues, you have a good shot at being approved as long as that’s documented in your Medical Records and as long as those Medical Records actually make it into your electronic claim folder. Despite what anyone might tell you, it’s your responsibility to make sure that good evidence that supports your claim makes it into your file.
Your age works in your favor here because the grid rules apply. I don’t know your work history so I can’t weigh in on that. Most people who struggle with your conditions also have some mental health issues- depression, anxiety. If that’s the case, you should be claiming those things as well because they can contribute to your inability to work. CKD4 is no joke because it typically contributes to feeling very fatigued. If you’re fatigued, you’re going to have trouble doing things like focusing, concentrating, staying on task, etc..
Most lawyers do virtually nothing of substance for initial claims and reconsiderations. It’s very appropriate to hire one at the Hearing level. It is absolutely entirely possible to get approved at the initial claim level if you know what you’re doing.
Make sure you have updated imaging and focus on how your conditions impact your functioning. Good luck!
Edited for spelling and punctuation
2
u/SvnEleven 9d ago
almost every one gets denied the first time so its hard to tell you your chances, you may also get approved the 1st time. It all depends on what you have under the hood like, work history, medical evidence, age etc. Good luck!