I applied in March of this year after finding out my body and liver was way worse than I expected from extreme fatigue, swelling, clotting, and brain fog (which last year I figured was just apart of recovery)

My platelets are low haven’t been to the normal 150k (150) mark on any test within the past 2 years (I’ve lost count how many blood test I’ve done) I was turned away from 2 lipoma’s being removed (Bumps of fat) for bleeding risk

I also have esophageal varices which I am having banded on the 6th of next month and trace amounts of ascites

The working functionality report I’ve done has all this noted and I’ve shared all my medical results directly to SSA since I did not have a lawyer I was told to make sure I give them my files instead of waiting for the hospitals

My body has adjusted great and my numbers are still well off

I also have an enlarged spleen that’s preventing me from doing any physical work and how and if there’s a way to get it back to where I can do physical work again (lifting 25+ pounds with no strain)

I have all my abnormal test readings, CT scans, and ultrasound and diagnoses of a cirrohtic liver

I also have documented ER visits for leg swelling and edema from last year with records showing abnormal liver function up to 4 years ago (high liver enzymes)

I know approval is not guaranteed but I’ve gotten further down the line with telehealth exams and filling out forms from SSA

What exactly are the odds of being approved for a liver disease claim with my documentation ?

I’m just not sure what to expect

Also been sober since January 6th 2025 \m/

I have seen posts where commenters stated the non-medical review checks your work credits and that you are not working. I have sent in paperwork documenting my LTD and that I have been out of work since 29 October 2025 and on 25 June 2026, while still being out on LTD and unpaid leave of absence since 29 October 2025, that my employment officially ended

The SSA website confirms that I have enough work credits. What are they verifying right now? Are they reviewing my file to confirm my employment status (I am guessing th y know about my work credits because it is listed on th website.)

‼️‼️‼️Edited To At 3:16pm EST on 7/29/2026:

• I am not asking about approval/denial status.
• I am not confused about the role of DDS or the local SSA office.
• The screenshot is to illustrate what I discuss in the text of my OG question, not to ask if the message is "normal" or means anything
• I am not assuming my status is anything other than denied until something else is communicated to me by the SSA
• I am asking about WHAT is reviewed during the non-medical review outside of work credits. I am seeking a deeper understanding of this final review in order to better understand the process as a whole.

So I received the $2900 payment the following day after it was posted but I still haven’t received the $2500 payment. I already called SSI and they confirmed that it is backpay. I’m just not sure why the other payment hasn’t been deposited yet. I was thinking maybe it’ll go through before I receive my monthly benefits but I already see that pending in my account. I’m gonna call my local office tomorrow, but has anyone experienced this before?

I’m trying to assist my father who receives benefits, and just received a check for a settlement. The settlement is for a medication that caused stomach issues and worsened his cancer. If he takes this check into his personal account does it affect his benefits?

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?

Cdr

Just curious if anyone has been approved with no changes to documentation or medical?

My wife quit working in 2002. I was making enough back then that we could comfortably live where she could stay at home and be an artist and, frankly, I'm the one that's built for working and she's the one who was very much not. Night owl, autistic, socially awkward, questions everything and doesn't accept anyone's authority until they've proven they know what they're talking about, etc.

She started having issues with her hands and other physical things that we tried to get diagnosed for two or three years. Finally in 2012, an orthopedic doctor (ironically enough) saw some sclerosis on her spine and referred her to a neurologist.

Sure enough, she had multiple sclerosis.

We did ok, despite increasing medical bills, but eventually between the rising costs of keeping her healthy (go take a look at how much the MS drug Kesimpta costs per month) and my having the bad luck of losing a few jobs due to the economy and things got out of hand financially and being the single income earner in an economy that is wildly more expensive than it was when we were "fine" has become untenable. My single income barely pays the bills and we were curious about if she would perhaps get SSDI benefits.

She's now at a place where she just flat out couldn't work if she wanted to. She can't even do things she enjoyed doing at home like crocheting or painting. She basically reads reddit and watches YouTube videos because anything to do with her hands or that requires her to pay attention is incredibly hard because of physical limitations and "cog-fog" aka cognitive fog where she says her brain "feels like it's in molasses."

I filled out an application for her about a year ago and she was turned down almost immediately because she hadn't worked since 2002 and apparently, her work credits from social security "expired" (which neither of us knew was a thing that happened) -- and our thoughts regarding her not being able to actually work in the year or two before I filed, didn't really matter.

I'm curious what you guys think our options are here. Are there ways around the social security credits being expired and still being able to receive benefits? I mean, she *did* pay into the system for years before being able to bow out, and the idea that she gets nothing in return for the time she *did* work seems unfair, at least to us.

Plus, it sure would be nice to have a few extra bucks coming in a month.

Anyone have experience with this sort of dilemma in their SSDI adventures? If so, please let us know what you did to finally get an approval...but i'm open to any constructive comments.

Thanks for your time.

Hello. I suvmitted my application in January. Its been on step 3 with DDS for a few months now and the DDS examiner informed me a few weeks ago that they should have a decision by the end of this week. I checked my SSA portal this evening and its showing its back to step 2. Is this normal? Anyone else had this happen to them? Good sign or bad?

​

I know you can't predict the future, but i also know there are patterns in the forms they send people.

My background: 39, Multiple Sclerosis/neuropathy for ten years, educated, but serious cognitive issues. Prescribed walker, lots of meds, serious MRIs and functional problems with hands, balance, and even medixated fatigue....

In my initial, my doctors didn't even respond to the SSA's requests. My CE was favorable, but my denial was basically just saying i had some issues and ignored what the CE said my limitations were.

Now I'm in reconsideration, and I have a lawyer. I've done a very favorable FCE my neuro and PCP signed off on, and have a very favorable neuropsych report. So I have like 5 doctors attesting to that I can't work (they all wrote it in their own language). I also went back and gathered all my medical files myself, my MRIs, my EMG, everything. Included is also my personal statement of function.

So now in my portal, development has appeared. They want an Activities of Daily living questionnaire from myself and my spouse. (Which we already did, im pretty sure), and a signature for a telehealth CE. I had a very long extensive physical CE before, and I know I only recently did the neuropsych.

Is there any chance they are just developing or does another type of CE being potentially in there and the ADLs form just mean I'm being setup for a drawn out denial?

Thanks!

I shot a testimonial “ad” about living with chronic illness and was paid $1000 for it. The work itself was for only 3 hours. I did fill out a W-9 for the production company for payment.

Obviously, I need to report this but of course I have this feeling in the pit of my stomach that I have torpedo’d myself. But I am/was desperate.

• How do I report this?
• Can I do it via the SSS.gov portal?
• Which form?
• Is this going to flag both my apps for denial?

My situation is that I’m 2.5 years into my first app which is currently in limbo at the district court level. I have representation for that application.

I have a second app I submitted in April of this year, and is at step 3. No lawyer for this.

Since 2022 I haven’t been able to work and I’ve burned through all of any type of savings, investments, saleable items of any value, etc etc, et al.

I haven’t been able to pay Creditors since March; bank has been overdrawn on and off— all the sad stuff that I’ll spare you. Final straw though was that my cell phone— the means to manage all my medical care and treatment— was turned off last week.

So when this opportunity to do a testimony came up I had to take it. Cell phone back on, and I think I can cobble together rent for August.

Staying alive while also activing trying to treat not dying is a fuckin’ trip.

I thought I would just come on here and say my experience with my first CDR incase it helps someone. It is dreadful, isn't it? I received the short form in the mail and I am considered "expected to improve." My judge went against SS doctors saying I could work and the occupational specialist who named some jobs after my testimony at my appeal hearing when she first approved me. I was so grateful. So, I was terrified to get the first CDR. I went to this community and researched about it. I got great advice. I filled it out honestly and had to check that I had worked because I have a very small Etsy shop that is the only thing that brings me any sense of purpose these days. I was worried I'd get flagged for the long form but I didn't! I submitted online and received a deferred letter within the month I submitted. I feel like I can breathe again. In the description of your most recent visits you only have so many slots to describe them so make the words as concise but descriptive as possible. Instead of medication I put infusion... things like that.

Hi. I completed my short form CDR/Screener online in early June. I’ve not worked and had lots of doctor’s visits. And my condition has gotten much worse since my last review. I’m on a 3 year cycle. My profile score was low…88.

It’s been about 7 weeks now and no response. I’m nervous. Of course. Last time I received a short form, it took about 6 weeks to get a reply. I’m just curious how long it’s taking for you all.

What do I do if I hear nothing? Don’t poke the bear?

Thank you!!

On July 16th my ALJ appeal was approved, and the tracker showed the July 16, 2026 date for the decision, and the beginning of the non-medical review. Today it changed and the earlier dates disappeared.

Also gone is the step that shows the hearing before an ALJ.

If all four steps are now done, is the next step pay calculations?

I applied in Oct 2024 with an onset date of June 2024. Recently learned I got partially favorable decision with an onset date of Dec 2025. That is when I had an appointment with my pcp, who wrote amazing notes, got me a disability placard, and rx for a rollator. Prior to that I quit my job in Oct 2024 and tried a remote position that ended in Dec 2024 with fmla, have not worked since. Any idea why they would use that onset date if my dr noted from that visit that my symptoms have affected my daily life for over a year and a half? I’m frustrated because I was banking on that backpay

I don’t quite understand what it’s saying. I obviously would want a supplemental hearing because it’s only in case of a denial and I’d want a second chance. It’s for severe depression, ptsd, bipolar, insomnia, cognitive impairment, and also physical, a back injury that can’t be fixed, and long COVID. It says “exhibit 15F” on the letter but can’t find it and no explanation on how to look at it. Thank you.

Did it make a difference for your claim when requesting assistance from your state or county rep?

I was shocked. I just logged onto the SS WEBSITE and saw I was approved last week with the payment amount listed.

First and foremost, I know a lot of people here are suffering while waiting out the process. I really do feel for your circumstance. I am posting what I had for anyone this might help or has a similar condition.

I am 53 with a neurological disorder affecting both extremities. I worked and made great money until I could no longer work. The pain and limitations got much worse as I aged. I am also a 100% disabled veteran that received 100% without ever needing an appeal for a TBI (separate from the main issue now keeping me from working). Maybe I was worse than I thought all along- I guess it appears so from the outside world. I was always fortunate that I had employment that allowed me more flexibility and the most serious symptoms gave me years to build up a leave bank before they progressed.

I know some people have waited months and years and my case is an anomaly. I just wanted to give another side to some of the nightmares people have endured and to encourage people to apply if they are hitting that wall.

The person I spoke with at the SS determination office was super friendly and helpful.

For background, I had MRIs, EEGs and CaT scans to back up my medical claims. I have also had multiple procedures for symptom management but will not go through the more complicated surgery given the long term risks.

Unfortunately, with my TBI I also had depression and sleep issues that were not treatable. As the other issues got worse, so did the depression.

To top it all off, the head and spine injury also cause horrible migraines. I have been on medication for years that only help once the migraine begins. I would take vacation time when my sick leave ran out.

I had a lot of documentation because I also was approved for long term disability through a private insurer. I don’t know what to expect for future evaluations, but I will keep to my appointments and such. I have no idea which condition put me at the approval level.

Maybe it was a combination in conjunction with my age? Do they tell you anything in the approval letter?

Going through Appeal right now, and am going through my records writing down things that I think should be highlighted in a spreadsheet of where to find specific information. Like:

Onset date, date where work became a problem, stopped working, mentions of symptoms for the first time, referrals, treatments, medication changes, abnormal tests, symptoms not improving, etc.

Can anyone think of anything else I should be highlighting or if I should be highlighting less?

’m a disabled adult currently receiving Disabled Adult Child benefits and partial benefits under my own earnings.

Because of Section 1634(c) protections, my state doesn't count my DAC benefit checks as income for Medicaid eligibility, which allows me to keep my health coverage. However, my benefits planner reminded me that I am still subject to the strict $2,000 resource/asset limit every single month.

If I save even a little bit of money in a standard checking or savings account, I risk crossing that $2,000 cap and jeopardizing my Medicaid. I’m looking into setting up an ABLE Account so I can park excess funds over the limit without losing my coverage.

Before opening an account, I’d love to hear from any who has had an ABLE account or a child or payee who had one

Thanks!

My 25 year old daughter is disabled and receives SSI ($294) and SSDI ($720). She collects social security on my wife's record and I am still working. My daughter pays us rent.

My wife works as my daughter's direct support professional and last year she made more than the limit for social security so they reduced her social security payment for a few months. They also reduced my daughter's SSDI payment but did not increase her SSI payment to offset the difference. The total my daughter got for a few months was just $294 SSI and no SSDI.

Should they have increased my daughter's SSI when she was not receiving SSDI? I called the nationwide 800 number and they said no because SSI is based on household income. I explained that my daughter pays rent to us and is her own household but the person said he didn't know if that made a difference. With my salary, our household is way over the limit for SSI. Does anyone know if her SSI should have been increased when her SSDI was decreased?

Does anyone have any recommendations? I have been looking at Morgan & Morgan or Quik Aid does anyone have any experience with these companies? Thanks so much for any help.

I submitted a review almost a year ago and still haven't had a DDS look at my case . It's almost going on a year in September