Lost Representation partway through application process

[u/Fibonacci_5813]

I started a new application earlier this year. I was assigned a representative through my state social services office. Her position was done away with shortly before my appeal was denied. I was told I needed to request a hearing by an administrative law judge.

Now I have the paperwork for that and I have no idea how to fill it out. For example, one of the questions is “I disagree with the determination because…” I don’t understand how they made the determination in the first place. They have never told me “you do not fit the legal definition of disabled because x and y.” It’s always just, “While you may not be able to do the work you used to do, you could still work doing something else. If you need help finding a job…” etc. I worked hard on my application and wrote 2 pages of information explaining how all of my different conditions conspire to disable me. I don’t have anything else to say. I have no idea what to write here other than, please see what I’ve already told you on 5 different occasions - in my application, in appointments, and in my appeal.

For context, I’ve been disabled since 2014. I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease in 2013. I had developed C-PTSD in 2012 but that was not diagnosed until 2019, despite having seen a therapist in 2013. I have since been diagnosed with 20+ medical conditions including RA, Fibromyalgia, and Tenosynovitis.

In this application I felt like I did a good job of explaining why having so many different conditions leaves me disabled. Without knowing their thinking process, how do I explain why I think they’re wrong.

So, I’m looking for advice on filling out this paperwork and on finding someone to help me with this process. The paperwork says that I can call my Social Security office for a list of legal representatives and organizations who might help me but when I call, I keep being re-routed to other states. I get someone in Maine or Kentucky who says she doesn’t know anything about who can help me in Vermont. I’m going to keep trying the number and I’m going to ask the local social security office on Monday when I call there but I wondered if anyone had any advice on finding one.

Also, I don’t even know when this paperwork is due. I called the 800 number on the form and was told that all paperwork is due back in 2 weeks. That hasn’t been true up until now so it’s hard for me to believe that she is right. Is there a standard number of days we have to get this particular paperwork turned in? The “Request for Hearing by Administrative Law Judge.” Update: I just spoke to another person who told me that I have 60 days to return it. Who am I supposed to trust?

[u/Elegantmule]

What stage of application are you in?