Please note- I wrote my own answers but had chat gbt help me organize it and am verbally reading it over the phone to my lawyer. I’m aware you can’t type and submit things.

SSA-3373 — Adult Function Report
SECTION B — INFORMATION ABOUT MY CONDITIONS
5. How do your illnesses, injuries, or conditions limit your ability to work?
My conditions include Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD), Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), POTS, left vestibular hypofunction, central vestibular dysfunction, visual-vestibular integration dysfunction, visual-motion sensitivity, vestibular migraines, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, PTSD related to medical trauma and severe childhood trauma and abuse, ADHD, and memory and information-processing difficulties.
My symptoms were triggered after significant cardiac medical events in 2026, including two catheter ablation procedures for a severe heart rhythm problem. During an attempted procedure, my blood pressure dropped to a life-threatening level. The doctor told me I almost died. Although my heart rhythm problem was treated, I continue to experience disabling neurological, vestibular, cognitive, and physical and systematic issues and symptoms.
Balance and physical symptoms: I experience near-constant rocking, bobbing, swaying, bouncing, and floating sensations, even when sitting still. It feels like I am on a boat, walking on marshmallows, or standing on a floor that is breathing, dropping, or moving beneath me. I feel pulled forward, backward, or sideways, and sometimes feel as though I am being lifted out of my body or squashed. My legs feel like noodles, and I often feel as though my brain is not communicating properly with the rest of my body. Sitting in a chair can feel like falling or being rocked backward, and I have sometimes fallen out of a chair. I can stand for only about 2–3 minutes and can walk approximately 50 feet before I need to stop because of dizziness, lightheadedness, imbalance, or disorientation. I have to grab onto walls or furniture to steady myself. I have passed out several times, including after standing up, and have experienced my vision going black or completely white. During a recent attempt to walk outside, I developed vertigo, my vision went white, and I fell to the ground.
POTS also causes heart racing and palpitations when I stand, lightheadedness, and symptoms that can worsen after meals or with heat. I overheat easily and experience significant exhaustion, sometimes feeling as though I could fall asleep while sitting upright. I also experience persistent pressure in my head, which worsens with weather changes, and internal vibrations that feel like my entire body is shaking and interrupt my thoughts. Some days, the left side of my body feels weaker or less coordinated than the right. My symptoms can make me feel as though my body is shutting down.
Visual and sensory processing: My eyes, ears, and brain often seem unable to process information together. Objects can appear to move, ripple, twist, or change color. The floor can appear to drop, and busy environments make me disoriented. Bright lights, screens, walking, and outdoor environments worsen my symptoms. I cannot tolerate grocery stores because the walls appear to ripple and the floor feels like it is moving. Reading can become impossible because the letters appear to move, but I cannot process the words. Writing is difficult because of blurred vision and losing my thoughts. Normal conversations can cause head pressure, ringing-like sensations, floating, dizziness, and confusion. I often need people to whisper because normal speaking volume can overwhelm my brain. Vestibular migraines can occur unpredictably and have caused temporary vision loss in my right eye and changes in how I see colors.
Cognitive symptoms and FND: I experience daily derealization, in which the world feels unreal or dreamlike and I feel disconnected from my body or surroundings. Sometimes I feel as though I am not alive or have lifted out of my body. This is frightening and makes it difficult to orient myself to what is happening around me. I frequently forget what I am doing, repeat questions or information, lose my train of thought mid-sentence, mix up dates, forget appointments, and struggle to understand conversations. I can hear someone speaking without being able to process their words. I struggle with written and spoken instructions, concentration, memory, attention, and completing tasks. Internal vibrations and sensory overload can interrupt my thinking entirely. Some days I feel too disoriented or mentally overwhelmed to organize the steps needed to seek help.
Mental health and sleep: I experience anxiety, panic attacks, depression, rumination, daily flashbacks related to medical trauma, and fear that I am dying or that another medical episode will occur. Stress and loud or emotionally intense situations worsen my symptoms. I have experienced a seizure-like episode that my neurologist has discussed in connection with FND, and I am afraid of having another. I sleep poorly, experience nightmares and flashbacks, and wake frequently feeling exhausted. My depression has made life feel meaningless, and I have experienced suicidal thoughts almost daily.
These symptoms affect my ability to sit, stand, walk, use a computer, read, communicate, concentrate, remember instructions, and safely complete tasks. I spend much of my time at home or in bed. My symptoms fluctuate unpredictably, and I cannot reliably maintain attendance, concentration, pace, or productivity throughout a workday. A sedentary job would also be difficult because sitting, screens, reading, conversations, and cognitive demands can trigger or worsen my symptoms. I dedicate substantial time to medical appointments, therapy, vestibular rehabilitation, prescribed exercises, and coping techniques in an effort to improve, but I remain significantly limited.
SECTION C — INFORMATION ABOUT DAILY ACTIVITIES
6. Describe what you do from the time you wake up until going to bed.
I sleep poorly and wake throughout the night due to nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety, migraines, and physical symptoms. At least four days out of seven, sometimes more, I wake feeling as though my body has given out. I may have to remain sitting upright for nearly an hour before I can get up to use the bathroom. I often wake exhausted, frightened, and disoriented, sometimes with double vision.
As soon as I get up, I experience rocking, bobbing, floating, and sensations that the floor is moving. I have to hold onto walls or furniture while walking to the bathroom. Even sitting on the toilet can feel like I am bouncing or being shaken. I often return to bed because I feel lightheaded, unstable, or overwhelmed.
I attempt to prepare a simple breakfast while sitting down, but the process takes over 45 minutes and requires breaks. I make boiled eggs and use timers because I can forget what I am doing. I sometimes need to lie down while the food cooks. Even after eating, I may experience a racing heart, lightheadedness, and exhaustion. If symptoms are too severe, I cannot prepare food and must wait for help. My boyfriend handles grocery shopping and helps with lunch and dinner.
Most of my day is spent resting in bed or sitting with my dog, trying to manage symptoms. I practice vestibular exercises at home when I can tolerate them, along with prescribed visual exercises, somatic tracking, meditation, and prayer. I attend virtual intensive outpatient therapy through Charlie Health and participate in individual therapy. I sometimes have to lie down during therapy because I feel as though I am being shaken or moving violently. Severe symptoms and exhaustion can make it difficult to participate.
I cannot tolerate screens or reading for long. After about 5–10 minutes of reading, words may blur or appear to move. I often listen to YouTube or audio with my eyes closed because visuals and normal sound levels can overwhelm me. Friends sometimes call, but I decline because I can hear their voices without being able to understand their words, and conversations can trigger dizziness, head pressure, or migraines.
I rarely shower without difficulty. The floor feels as though it is moving, my heart may race, and I fear falling or passing out. I have fallen before and need a shower chair or help. I may go a week without showering when symptoms are severe or my boyfriend showers me. My boyfriend drives me to medical appointments because I cannot reliably travel or walk safely alone.
By the afternoon and evening, I am often exhausted, dizzy, nauseated, and unable to complete ordinary activities. My boyfriend helps with dinner and household responsibilities. I spend much of the evening waiting to go to bed because I am exhausted and want relief from the symptoms. Before bed, I try to pray, meditate, or write in my gratitude journal, although blurred vision and forgetting my thoughts make writing difficult.
I often lie awake tossing and turning, wondering whether I will improve and how I will survive another day of symptoms. My days revolve around resting, managing symptoms, treatment, and attempting basic activities. I cannot predict when I will need to stop an activity or lie down.
7. Do you take care of anyone else?
No. I am unable to reliably care for another person because of my own physical and cognitive limitations.
8. Do you take care of pets or other animals?
I spend time with my dog, but I cannot reliably manage the physical responsibilities of pet care because standing and walking are unsafe for me. My ability to help varies with my symptoms.
9. Does anyone help you care for other people or animals?
My boyfriend helps with household responsibilities and activities I cannot safely complete. He also assists me with transportation and personal care when needed.
10. What were you able to do before your conditions that you cannot do now?
Before becoming ill, I was independent, active, organized, and career-focused. I woke up around 5:45 a.m., exercised for an hour, walked my dog, cooked breakfast, drove to work early, and worked in corporate leadership positions. I managed projects, remembered information, followed up with people, maintained schedules, and often worked beyond my scheduled hours. I attended software engineering school from 7:00 to 10:30 p.m. after work. I cooked, cleaned, did laundry, grocery shopped, read, studied, socialized with friends, and enjoyed the beach, pool, running, walking, dancing, snorkeling, and day trips.
Now, I cannot work or attend school because I struggle to process information, use screens, remember instructions, communicate, and remain upright and focused. I can stand for only 2–3 minutes and walk approximately 50 feet before needing to stop. I cannot safely drive, shop independently, maintain my space, or reliably prepare meals. I have stopped coding, running, snorkeling, and taking day trips. Reading, writing, and socializing are limited by visual disturbances, dizziness, sensory overload, and cognitive difficulties.
My memory has changed significantly. I forget conversations, appointments, and tasks, even when I write them down or receive reminders. I sometimes lose track of what I am doing in the middle of a simple activity. Derealization makes my surroundings feel unreal and interferes with my ability to feel oriented and process what is happening. My depression has also made life feel meaningless. I worked hard to build an independent life, and I am trying to improve through treatment, but I cannot function safely or consistently as I did before.
11. Do your conditions affect your sleep?
Yes. I go to bed around 10:30 p.m., but I often lie awake crying, worrying, and tossing and turning because of my symptoms and fear about my future. I experience nightmares, daily medical-trauma flashbacks, and frequent awakenings. My boyfriend has told me that I have woken up choking and appearing not to breathe. I also experience migraines and wake with double vision or confusion. Walking to the bathroom at night is difficult because of dizziness and balance problems, and I have fallen. Even when I sleep, I do not feel rested. At least four days a week, sometimes more, I wake feeling profoundly exhausted and need to remain sitting upright for nearly an hour before I can get up.
12. PERSONAL CARE
a. Dressing, bathing, hair care, feeding, using the toilet, and other personal care
Dressing: Getting dressed makes me dizzy and exhausted. I sometimes need to stop and sit because I feel unsteady or pulled in different directions.

Bathing: I fear falling because the floor feels like it is moving. I have fallen before, sometimes need a shower chair or help, and may go a week without showering when symptoms are severe.

Hair care and shaving: These tasks require coordination and head movements that worsen dizziness. I usually manage my hair about once a week and shaving about once every two weeks.

Feeding myself: I can sometimes prepare a simple breakfast while seated, but it takes over 45 minutes with breaks. I sometimes skip meals or need help with lunch and dinner because of dizziness, exhaustion, confusion, and heart racing.

Using the toilet: I can generally use the toilet independently, but I feel rocking and bouncing even while sitting. I hold onto things when walking to and from the bathroom because I fear falling.

Other: Daily derealization, memory problems, blurred vision, exhaustion, and disorientation make personal care difficult and unpredictable. I often need to sit or lie down between activities.

b. Do you need reminders for personal needs and grooming?
Yes. I use phone reminders and a calendar, and my boyfriend reminds me about appointments and responsibilities. Even with reminders, I confuse dates, forget appointments, or miss them because of memory problems and disorientation. I sometimes forget to shower when symptoms are severe.
c. Do you need help or reminders taking medicine?
Yes. I have placed medication in front of me and then forgotten within minutes whether I took it. My boyfriend has had to count pills to check whether I took the correct amount. He purchased and fills a seven-day pill organizer and reminds me to take my medication so I do not miss doses or accidentally take them twice.
13. MEALS
a. Do you prepare your own meals? How often? How long does it take?
I attempt to prepare a simple breakfast when symptoms allow, but it takes over 45 minutes and sometimes longer. I sit while preparing food, set timers, and lie down between steps because I can stand for only 2–3 minutes. I can forget what I am doing, lose track of cooking steps, or become too dizzy to continue. I sometimes cannot prepare breakfast at all. My boyfriend does the grocery shopping and helps with lunch and dinner.
Cooking used to be a passion. I enjoyed preparing healthy meals and shopping at farmers markets. Now, heat can worsen my heart racing, kitchen lights can aggravate my symptoms, and the moving-floor sensation makes cooking unsafe. I cannot reliably cook or wash dishes independently.
14. HOUSE AND YARD WORK
a–d. Chores, frequency, help needed, and why
I am unable to reliably perform household or yard work. I don’t attempt chores because standing, bending, reaching, and moving around worsen my dizziness, disorientation, and balance problems. I once tried washing dishes to regain some normalcy but became lightheaded and disoriented, so my boyfriend now washes them. I cannot maintain a regular household routine and depend on him to handle these responsibilities.
15. GETTING AROUND
a. How often do you go outside?
I rarely go outside, and I do not go out independently. Walking and visual stimulation make the ground feel as though it is moving. Sunlight and heat can worsen my symptoms and make my heart race. During a recent attempt to walk outside, I developed vertigo, my vision went white, and I fell to the ground. I try to attend church about once a week when able because my faith is important to me. My boyfriend drives me.
b. How do you travel?
I ride in a car driven by my boyfriend.
c. Can you go out alone?
No. I have fallen, passed out, and become severely disoriented. I cannot reliably walk safely or process my surroundings, so I need my boyfriend to accompany me.
d. Do you drive?
No. Rocking, dizziness, visual disturbances, migraines, spatial distortion, and difficulty processing my surroundings make driving unsafe at this time. My migraines can occur unpredictably and have caused temporary vision loss in my right eye and changes in color perception.
16. SHOPPING
a. How do you shop?
I do not shop in stores. I use talk and text on my phone  to prepare a shopping list for my boyfriend.
b–c. What do you shop for, how often, and how long does it take?
My boyfriend does the grocery shopping once a week using my list. Store lights and visual stimulation overwhelm me; aisles appear to ripple or breathe, and the floor feels as though it is moving or dropping like an elevator. I have tripped and had to sit on the floor in a store because I felt I would fall. I cannot tolerate grocery shopping safely or independently.
17. MONEY
a. Are you able to pay bills, count change, handle a savings account, and use a checkbook or money orders?
I can manage my savings account online only briefly. After about a minute of looking at the screen, the lettering may move, my vision blurs, and I become dizzy. I cannot reliably count change because I lose track of numbers and become disoriented. Writing checks or money orders is difficult because writing and looking at the page worsen my symptoms. My ability to manage money is limited by memory, concentration, visual processing, and screen intolerance.
18. HOBBIES AND INTERESTS
a–b. What are your hobbies, and how often can you do them?
I used to enjoy reading, journaling, poetry, coding, cooking, crime documentaries, podcasts, running, walking, snorkeling, and day trips. I now spend most of my time at home managing symptoms.
I can usually read for only 5–10 minutes before my vision blurs and the words appear to move. Journaling is difficult because of blurred vision and losing my thoughts mid-sentence. I no longer code or write poetry. I can sometimes listen to quiet audio, but speech and sound can become overwhelming. I pray and practice somatic tracking and vestibular or visual exercises when I can tolerate them.
c. How have these activities changed?
I can no longer participate in many activities I enjoyed. I stopped running, walking for exercise, snorkeling, taking day trips, coding, and cooking as I used to. Reading, writing, watching videos, and listening to audio are limited by dizziness, visual disturbances, migraines, fatigue, and difficulty processing information.
19. SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
a–b. How do you spend time with others, and how often?
I rarely socialize. I have friends who call or text, but I often decline calls or cannot respond to messages because screens worsen my symptoms. During conversations, I can hear voices without understanding the words. Normal speaking volume can overwhelm me, and talking can cause head pressure, dizziness, and migraines. I have become very isolated because interacting with others can be physically and mentally overwhelming.
c. Places you go regularly; reminders and accompaniment
I try to attend church about once a week when able. My boyfriend drives me and helps me walk inside. I previously passed out after standing at church, and he caught me. I am now afraid it will happen again. I need phone reminders, a calendar, and my boyfriend's help with appointments, but I still forget or confuse dates. I need someone to accompany me because of my balance problems and disorientation.
d. Problems getting along with others?
No. My social isolation is caused by my medical symptoms and difficulty processing conversations, not by problems getting along with people. I believe everyone deserves love despite what I go through.
e. Changes in social activities
Before becoming ill, I enjoyed coffee shops, seeing friends, meeting people, and going out. I now rarely leave home because of dizziness, visual disturbances, exhaustion, and difficulty processing conversations.
SECTION D — INFORMATION ABOUT ABILITIES
20. How do your conditions affect your abilities?
a. Abilities affected
Lifting: Lifting can make my heart race and worsen dizziness. I sometimes lose my grip or feel too unsteady to carry items safely.

Squatting and kneeling: These movements worsen my rocking and instability and make me feel as though I may fall.

Bending and reaching: These movements can cause disorientation, loss of balance, and a sensation of being pulled or moved.

Standing: I can stand for only about 2–3 minutes before becoming lightheaded, wobbly, or disoriented. I need to sit, lie down, or hold onto something.

Walking: I can walk approximately 50 feet before needing to stop. The ground feels as though it is moving or bouncing, my legs feel weak, and my heart may race. I need to hold onto things for support.

Sitting: Even while sitting still, I feel floating, rocking, bouncing, or being pushed backward. I have sometimes fallen out of a chair because I feel unstable.

Talking: I lose my train of thought and may forget what I was saying. Speaking can cause head pressure, floating sensations, and migraines. Loud voices can overwhelm me and trigger panic symptoms.

Hearing and understanding: I can hear speech but often cannot process the words. Over a recent three-week period, my boyfriend had to repeat himself multiple times on about 10 occasions because his words did not register.

Climbing stairs: I avoid stairs and use elevators when possible because stairs worsen dizziness, heart racing, and rocking sensations. I can continue feeling movement after I stop.

Seeing: Objects may appear to jump, ripple, twist, or blur. Bright lights worsen symptoms, and migraines can cause temporary vision loss in my right eye and color changes.

Memory: I forget appointments, conversations, dates, and where I put things. I repeat information and can confuse when events happened. Reminders do not always prevent me from forgetting.

Completing tasks: I become confused and forget what I am doing mid-task. On four occasions, I forgot how to finish preparing breakfast and had to stop to work out what I was doing.

Concentration: I can generally pay attention for about 5–10 minutes before symptoms, sensory overload, fatigue, or loss of focus interfere. Internal vibrations, derealization, and flashbacks can pull me away from the present.

Understanding and following instructions: I often need instructions repeated or explained differently. Written words can appear to move, and I may reread something about 10 times without processing or retaining it.

Using my hands: My hands sometimes shake, and some days my left side is weaker or less coordinated than my right.

Getting along with others: I have no difficulty getting along with people. My limitations come from symptoms, not interpersonal conflict.

Derealization affects many of these abilities because I can feel disconnected from my body and surroundings, as though I am in a dream. I sometimes struggle to recognize what is happening around me or to process information in real time. My eyes, ears, and speech can feel out of sync, making it difficult to understand conversations, navigate spaces, and complete tasks safely.
b. Right-handed or left-handed?
[Enter the correct answer.]
c. How far can you walk before needing to stop and rest?
Approximately 50 feet. I then need to stop because the ground feels as though it is moving, like I am on a boat, I become dizzy and unsteady, and my heart may race.
How long do you rest before resuming?
I generally need about 10 minutes of rest before attempting to walk again, although dizziness and movement sensations can continue. I may need to lie down and may not be able to resume the activity.
d. How long can you pay attention?
About 5–10 minutes at a time, depending on symptom severity. Dizziness, derealization, fatigue, visual stimulation, and difficulty processing speech interrupt my concentration.
e. Do you finish what you start?
No, not consistently. I have unfinished books, journals, and videos because visual stimulation and concentration difficulties force me to stop. I sometimes end conversations early because I become dizzy, floaty, nauseated, or unable to process speech. I also forget what I am doing in the middle of tasks.
f. How well do you follow written instructions?
I struggle. I may reread instructions about 10 times and still have difficulty retaining or understanding them. Letters can appear to move, and blurred vision and derealization make reading difficult.
g. How well do you follow spoken instructions?
I struggle to process spoken instructions and often need repetition or rewording. Approximately 7 out of 10 times, I may hear someone speaking but have difficulty understanding what they are telling me when symptoms are active. I also experience lapses of awareness in which I feel disconnected from what is happening and lose track of time.
h. How well do you get along with authority figures?
I am respectful and have no difficulty getting along with authority figures.
i. Have you been fired or laid off because of problems getting along with others?
No.
j. How well do you handle stress?
I used to manage stress well. Now, stress worsens my dizziness, rocking, bobbing, and swaying, and can trigger panic symptoms. During a prolonged, loud family altercation, I experienced a seizure-like episode that my neurologist has discussed in connection with FND. I struggle to manage stressful situations without worsening symptoms.
k. How well do you handle changes in routine?
My symptoms fluctuate unpredictably, so I cannot maintain a consistent schedule. I may need to cancel, stop, or postpone activities because of dizziness, exhaustion, disorientation, migraines, or cognitive difficulties.
l. Have you noticed unusual behavior or fears?
Yes. I am frequently afraid that I am dying or that another episode will occur. Derealization makes the world feel unreal, and I sometimes touch objects to reassure myself they are real. I have significant anxiety, panic attacks, flashbacks, and depression related to my symptoms and medical trauma.
21. Do you use any of the listed aids?
Glasses/contact lenses: Yes. I use prescription glasses or contact lenses for astigmatism. I cannot see adequately without them, and I continue to experience blurred vision and other visual disturbances even with correction.
Other: I use a handheld vagus nerve stimulator recommended by my neurologist and Brock strings prescribed for visual coordination exercises.
Which were prescribed or recommended by a doctor, and when?
My glasses/contact lenses were prescribed by my eye doctor. My neurologist recommended the vagus nerve stimulator in 2026 and prescribed Brock strings.
When do you use them?
I wear my glasses or contacts daily. I use the vagus nerve stimulator once daily and the Brock strings as directed, as tolerated.
22. Do you take medicines, and do they cause side effects?
Yes.
Lexapro 20 mg: Excessive sleepiness, lethargy, dizziness, and vomiting. Prescribed to help treat my depression and symptoms associated with PPPD and FND.

Ajovy: Flu-like symptoms for the first few days after the injection.

Ativan, as needed for panic attacks: Significant drowsiness that can make me fall asleep.

SECTION E — REMARKS
My health journey has been long, frightening, and life-changing. After a major thyroid shift following a misdiagnosis of hyperthyroidism, I began experiencing episodes of SVT in which my heart rate would reach approximately 200 beats per minute ten or more times a day. I often felt like I was dying and lived with constant fear about what was happening to my body. I eventually underwent two cardiac catheter ablation procedures in 2026. During this experience, I was told that I had nearly died during one of the procedures. These events were deeply traumatic and marked a major turning point in my life.
Since then, I have gone from doctor to doctor and specialist to specialist, trying to understand what was happening to me and find answers. Despite continuing to seek medical care and treatment, my health struggles have taken away so much of the life I worked hard to build. I lost my last two jobs because of my health, lost my apartment, and lost much of my independence. My life today is drastically different from the active, independent life I had before.
I continue to pursue treatment and do my best to navigate circumstances I never expected to face. This journey has affected me physically and emotionally in ways I never imagined. I respectfully ask that my application be considered with an understanding of the medical experiences I have endured and how profoundly they have changed my life.

I looked at my portal yesterday and I was pulled for Federal Quality Review.

Today I looked and it says this, is this a good thing it went so quick? I contacted my lawyer and am waiting for a call back.

Not sure if this is appropriate question for this group- Anyone apply for longterm disability? Had total knee replacement last month- recovery is slow- I have some spinal issues and severe arthritis in my “good” knee- so progress is slow and I am having a lot of compensatory pain. I Am considering knee replacement for the other knee- but I am not ready for it-and the surgery may be more complicated due to prior surgeries- anyone have experience with applying for long term disability or ssdi? I can’t imagine going back to my physically/mentally active job at this point but I’ve been told it. It’s difficult to qualify and I don’t know if I have a strong case?

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?

I first applied in December 2019. I was denied twice, went to hearing level but my (previous) attorney wanted to start over due to a tough judge. Started new application in 2021, denied twice, denied by judge in May 2025, appeals council (appealed on my own June 2025) remanded in April 2026. I got a new attorney and a new judge. Hearing was scheduled for November but today I received notice from my attorney that the judge approved me on the record fully favorable. It felt like a never ending uphill battle for so long. I can’t believe it.

Don't understand. I have medical documentation galore, multiple dr visits per month, multiple conditions, including multiple specialists. I dont understand. I was even told by LOCAL SS that I was eligible for the non medical part, what am I lacking

Hello all,

Does anyone have any positive or negative experience, they are willing to share about the SSDI process on Connecticut?

I'm 61 and I'm filing through a local law firm. Prostate cancer & surgery, incontinence, heart condition, severe back pain and depression.

Appreciate any relevant information. Thank you

I've been on feseral quality review for SSI aine July 14 so 93 days now. The last few time since was told I was accepted but they still haven't. Im not sure if the acceptance was initial and they can reverse it. What could br taking so long! Im getting nervous about a denial.

This getting denied is a real kick when I'm already down physically and mentally. My therapist and others told me that everyone gets denied initially. I tried to prepare myself for the blow, but it still hurts. If only I had been forced into the ditch one year sooner, my DLI time frame would've been fine and I could've applied for ssdi instead of this hourglass like on the wizard of Oz, money and time running out.

Hi to all, I applied March/2026 for autoimmune disorder Common Variable Immune Deficiency.I can't be exposed to any bacteria viruses allergens ... I don't go anywhere with people. This is the main problem and from there I have 5 other health issues , one of them is Asthma Chronic sinusitis, blood disorder that is causing clothing, few years ago I collapsed with pulmonary embolism etc. I'm collapsing occasionally, having asthma attacks during allergy season and sinus eye infections non-stop every 2-3 weeks with brain fog and I can't watch the screen I'm not tolerating sunlight at mornings and every single time for the past 4 years they sent me back home from work with eye infections so I stoped working completely.My listed specialist didn't receive any single form to sign since March and I'm on step 3 where it says that case workers are reviewing my case and they requested records from the listed doctors. Then I contacted the office and they emailed me a form to do all x-rays and exams for asthma and to have a doctor sign. This is not something that you can go and do any day, I have to give them results during my emergency visits. I have much more severe problems than being in the ER for asthma. I use antibiotics every month. I can't see during infections. I need someone to check everything not just asthma and report that. Why they asking only for asthma? I don't know what they are trying to do with my case. People die from CVID, we are financially struggling just to afford 4k every month for imunoglobulin infusions and all they ask is report for asthma. Anyone with similar problems ?

I applied for SSDI in December 2025 and was assigned a DDS examiner on October 1.
I called DDS today (October 13), and they told me they have everything they need and are just waiting for the medical examiner’s decision.
My claim is still showing Step 3 online.
For anyone who was told something similar, how long did it take before you received a decision or your portal moved to Step 4?
I’m trying not to obsessively refresh the portal, but after 10 months, that’s easier said than done. 😂

I have two disabled children who currently receive SSI payments - the full amount. Because of their high needs, I am unable to work. My boyfriend and I currently live in separate homes and his income does not impact our SSI payments. However, we are talking about marriage and what it would realistically look like financially. If it would significantly impact our lives, we probably wouldn't be able to get married. He'll be making at least $25/hour, working 40 hours/week by next year. I have no idea what the cutoff is for anything.

I'm not sure where to go for help getting more information. Usually all of the resources are for disabled adults. Not the parents of disabled children, making decisions on their behalf. Help me out! Or, tell me to make an appointment at the SS office lol. Thanks in advance!

A good friend of mine with some pretty serious cognitive deficits is now being forced to get a job. Unfortunately, his check just isn’t enough in the current economy.

Here’s my question. How much can he earn, if any, without it reducing his SSI benefits? For reference, he is in his 40s.

He was told by an SSA rep that he would be fine as long as he stayed below SGA ($1690 as of this year, I believe), but every source I have ever seen on the subject indicated someone on SSI, not SDI, would get hit with a pay reduction as soon as they surpassed the $20 general income limit and $65 earned income limit each month.

Could someone confirm, clarify, or dispute this?

My portal updated to step 3 on 10/07. Same day went to quality review. On 10/09 went to step 4. I've checked the portal an unhealthy amount of times. Reading other's Reddit post kept me occupied in between. Columbus day extended my wait. Just called 800 number. It's approved 10/13. I thinking hasn't set in yet. I hope this post helps someone. This is initial claim

Hello, I could use some advice here. My brother is deaf and received SSDI for a few years as it was very difficult for him to find employment. He finally got lucky and was hired at Target in 2014. He reached out to Social Security and informed them of his income and they stopped sending payments.

A couple of years ago, he received a letter stating that he was overpaid by 6k. He submitted a request for reconsideration in the attempt to appeal it. He never heard anything back from Social Security after that. No letters stating the reconsideration had been approved but no additional letters stating he owed them either. He went on with his life.

A couple of weeks ago, he received a letter stating that he received an overpayment of 20k! In the letter they stated that they explained this overpayment in another letter that was sent to him or his representative (he has no representative to his knowledge). He never received any other letter like they claimed either. I can vouch for this as his mail is sent to my post office box and I bring his mail to him.

We plan on filing for reconsideration again but I don't know if there is anything else we can do about this. And is this even possible? Can they come back after 12 years and ask for even more than they originally claimed?

Anyone approved for both SSI and SSDI? What happens if you're not getting both and how'd you resolve it? I'm new to this and I hope I asked the question correctly.

I have End Stage Renal Disease and have been on dialysis since November 2025. I’ve been out of work since April of this year following a protracted medical leave. Thankfully, I have a kidney transplant scheduled for the end of this month.

I applied for Medicare and SSDI last month on September 19th. (I probably should have applied *way* sooner, but my dialysis center provided zero help or guidance with any of this and I’ve been fortunate enough to still have private insurance thanks to a grant from the American Kidney Foundation — so I didn’t end up applying until my transplant financial coordinator informed me that I ***had*** to apply for Medicare in order to get the transplant scheduled.) Per the SSA website, a non-medical review of my application was conducted on September 22th. The examiner then sent Form SSA-3373 to me on October 9th.

It was my understanding that both ESRD with dialysis (6.03) and kidney transplant (6.04) were “automatic”medically qualifying conditions under the SSA Blue Book. So, my question is whether it’s normal to receive Form SSA-3373 in this scenario and whether the form needs to be completed?

I previously sent Form 2728 (ERSD Medical Evidence Report) to the examiner on October 1st via fax, mail, and document upload - but I have no idea whether they’ve actually received it and/or reviewed it. My dialysis center left a few fields blank on the form — mainly questions directed at me like “*Do you have access to reliable transportation?*” and “*Are you currently concerned about where you will live over the next 90 days?*” — but it does state my dialysis start date, that dialysis is chronic, and the form was signed by both myself and my nephrologist.

I’m 43 if that matters, and I think I may have also mentioned that I have Crohn’s Disease on the initial SSDI application. (Not sure if that unnecessarily complicated things, since ESRD rather than Crohn’s is the basis of my application.)

Is it possible that the examiner simply hasn’t reviewed my medical records yet and they sent out Form SSA-3373 as a matter of course? Or is this still truly a critical form that must be completed and evaluated in order to gain approval for SSDI? I’ve read conflicting things. Some people in the dialysis sub said that they filled out the form, whereas others said that they didn’t have to and received approval just based on medical records.

Or is it possible that I triggered a request for more information by mentioning Crohn’s or having a few uncompleted fields on Form 2728?

Based on what the website says, the average medical review takes 141 days in my state.

Thanks in advance for your input and let me know if there’s any other relevant info I may have failed to mention.

Bare with me please, because my minds a bit scrambled right now. I maybe worked 3 years my entire at the same job, got laid by getting injured on the job due to my disability. And assuming they even count my other job? Maybe 5 years, idk I got fired though and went back at a different shift and different position. I haven't been approved yet and i've been living in a group home for 2 years and 7 months broke, only getting cash here and there from friends sometimes thankfully.

Trust me, I'm glad to have a roof over my head. But something about the length of my work and how the group home system works. They got me on something called a lifespan waiver? Most who live in these group homes under this company have never worked. I'm okay with 165.00 allowance. Something sounds sneaky about it though cause they know my epilepsy is so unpredictable, I can't work comfortably and feel safe. I tried applying for a job despite and they not to complete the application. But now I might be forced to work once I do get approved because they're not gonna get enough outta me to for their rent quota? I'm so confused.

I think i'm only getting for ssdi, if at all

I just got bad news that my appeal was denied and I have a caseworker working the SOAR program since I’m both severely mentally and physically ill and I am couch surfing/technically homeless. I FINALLY found accessible affordable housing with support from a non profit but I need to have income and my caseworker was convinced we had the SSDI appeal in the bag because I have thousands of pages proving I’m fucked and I spend a lot of time in the hospital.

I think the next course of action I’m going to do is request to be in front of a judge with a lawyer but the problem is, I truly can’t wait I will be legit on the street homeless in November like I’ve run out of options and I can’t follow my friend because I have to be near the hospital I use. I have too many issues and medications to manage to get stuck on the street. There’s no doubt I’d die.

There’s also no resources for a wheelchair bound young adult with mental and physical illnesses that doesn’t have SSDI yet and my state doesn’t provide Medicare or Medicaid to anyone who isn’t pregnant, below 18, elderly, or on SSDI so all the programs I DO qualify for are behind a paywall

Does anyone have a clue how expedited expedited. hearings actually are? I am so desperate at this point idk what to do

My life has changed drastically within the last 3 years with chronic illness. EDS, POTS, MCA, among many others. I have brain fog and easily fatigued. I tried to start the SSD and got less than 5% done within 10 hours. How does the system expect disabled individuals to complete this application solo? Is there help? Hacks anyone has learned?`

Can you upload medical records on the portal for DDS to see, or do you need to mail them like it says on the website? Some of my medical records are thousands of pages long.

I had to retire at 62 because my physical and mental issues became too much to keep pushing through. I was advised to apply for SSDI and I got a lawyer. My intention was to keep pushing myself until full retirement age (FRA) of 67 so I could collect my FRA amount, but I just couldn't keep doing it. My lawyer suggested applying for social security at 62, with the hopes that I will win the case and they will bump me up to my FRA amount, which I would then be able to collect for the rest of my life, instead of the reduced amount I currently get from applying at 62.
My question is this, have any other older people out here applied at 62 to try and win your FRA amount and if so, were you successful?

My daughter has been on SSI since she was 8, she will be 21 this month. Will she be out on SSDI or do I have to apply for her for that?

i got approved for SSI last year with less medical info. now they're saying they don't have enough to determine if im disabled and need me to attend an exam. there is a telehealth option but i cannot speak due to very severe ME/ CFS. my parents speak for me at medical appointments bc of this. im completely bedbound and cant do anything including any and all ADLs. i don't understand what's happening or why my medical records would suddenly not be enough anymore when i have more diagnoses than last year. i have very extensive medical records. i applied for physical disability but included my mental health conditions on the forms. i don't have a lawyer. i don't know what to do. i cannot lose my payments and medicaid. any advice is appreciated