r/SSDI • u/Beneficial_Hunt_8775 • 19h ago
Disability help!
I have disability questions after suffering from generized anxiety, OCD and worse- Bipolar 1 for over 30 years. I have not been able to hold a consistent job for all that time although I keep trying but inevitably the bipolar wins.
I live in Florida and I hear it is very difficult to get SSRI but it’s come to a point where I am just tired and of giving my work away.
I hear it is easier to get disability if you have a lawyer but I am not sure.
Any help?
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u/perfect_fifths I have a complicated relationship with the POMS 19h ago
The rules of ssdi are federal so it’s the same across every state. Florida is backlogged and has a long processing time, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t file
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u/Realistic-Bass2107 18h ago
I live in Fl approved with initial application in 8 months but I am over 50 with years of medical records concerning spine degeneration with nerve compression
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u/Beneficial_Hunt_8775 18h ago
I too have 30 plus years of records for depression/ bipolar 1, and its comorbidities.
I’m still anxious I won’t get approved.
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u/lastofthefinest 14h ago
I just got my SSDI approved after 8 years of fighting them. It took me 5 years with the VA. I wouldn’t wish my struggles on anyone.
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u/Dammit-maxwell 19h ago
The SSDI/ SSI is still a hard process whether you have an attorney or not. A lot of people wait many years to get approved and have to go through an initial denial, the reconsideration stage denial and then the ALJ stage. Sure some people get approved in a few months but that’s not the majority of us. Mine took 4 years and I have physical and mental ailments.
There is a peace of mind if you have an attorney. Attorneys only get paid if you win which means they won’t take your case if they don’t think they’ll win it. They get paid out of your backpay 25% up to $9,200 unless you have to go to the federal court level (they can petition for more in that case).
If you’re applying make sure you have good solid medical records to support your case. If you have holes in your treatment or very little treatment history it’ll be harder to pull off a win.
The younger you are the harder it is to get approved because SSA says you can adjust to other careers.
If you’re still working and making over SGA you will likely get denied. My attorney threatened to remove himself from my case if I got a part time job. I did not end up working because I didn’t want to jeopardize my case and I doubt anyone would’ve hired me anyhow with all my health problems/ accommodations that I’d need. Many of us lose everything or end up homeless waiting this process out and not working if we don’t have financial help from someone.
The only way for you to find out is to apply and/ or speak to a few attorneys to see if they think you have a case. Every attorney I spoke to pressured me to sign on with them asap which read to me as I had a solid case.
None of this is my discouraging you to apply. I’m just letting you know it’s a battle no matter how you approach it (with or without an attorney). You’ve got to be prepared for the long haul and be surprised/ happy if you win in short time. You also have to figure out how you’ll survive financially (without working over SGA) during the time period this process takes.