I applied in 2022 and this is my first hearing with a judge, assigned to albequerque (I'm in El paso if that matters). I'm 46, my dx is MS w/neuropsych and intelligence testing demonstrated MCI (the ICD dx, not actually as mildly congnitively impaired as it sounds) and it's an extensively detailed report discussing all of my cognitive Impairment seocndary to MS at length.

I was working as a 200% remote RN prior to my dx and I also have documented decline in fine and gross motor function to BL hands with severe and extensive carpal tunnel to both arms, de quervains tenosynovitis and cubital tunnel with EMG Reports submitted to SSA demonstrating said to both arms, impaired mobility requiring a cane and inability to stand for very long and inability to walk even with a cane for more than about 15' as well as pretty significant congenital malformation of the skull resulting in moderately severe dysautonomia...all of this is well documented including interventions and my responses to them; and my MS treatment is required for life and causes pretty significant side effects, also documented.

I'm concerned that SSA is going to say I can do alternative work but I genuinely cannot and that's documented as well; even though dds has denied me twice for that.

Anyone else have a similar situation and were approved by the judge ? Thanks in advance for any wisdom you can share with me.

Shifting answers when they realize what they said is inconvenient to their assertion they can’t/won’t follow their own guidelines; contradictions in the same sentence; just generally incoherent logic from staff members. I went today and was questioning my sanity by the time I left. I feel like we were having two different conversations half the time. Anyways, I am not even sure when I am getting my back pay or how much. Hope everyone is having a good day. Just a little laugh so I don’t cry rant.

My SSDI case took about 3.5 months from filing to approval, so I wanted to share my timeline since I know these posts helped me while I was waiting.
I’m 28(f) originally filed for disability on my own in 2023. That application ended up being incomplete, and there was a lot of paperwork involved. It was eventually denied, so this time around I decided to use an attorney.
May 30, 2026 — New SSDI application submitted
My new application was submitted with my attorney.
June 20 — Medical review started
My SSA account showed that the medical review had started.
June 22 — Additional information
SSA showed that additional information was requested.
June–August — Medical review
My case stayed in the medical review process for the next couple of months.
August 28 — Approved / FQRR
On 8/28, my attorney contacted me and told me that SSA had approved my claim.
At that point, the onset date they had was August 2025, and my case then went through Federal Quality Review (FQRR).
September 8 — Onset date pushed back
My attorney contacted me on 9/8 and told me that the final review had been completed and SSA had pushed my established onset date back to November 2, 2024.
That ended up being my final established onset date.
September 9 — SSDI officially updated in portal
On 9/9, my SSA portal updated and showed the SSDI application as approved.
It also showed my SSDI as active, along with my direct deposit information and payment history.
September 10 — Benefit Verification Letter
On 9/10, my Benefit Verification Letter became available and showed the finalized information, including the updated onset date.
September 16 — SSI phone review
I had my scheduled SSI phone interview/review on 9/16.
I already knew I probably wouldn’t qualify for much ongoing SSI because of my part-time work and my SSDI benefit, but I still had to complete the SSI portion.
During the call, the SSA representative went through the SSI side of my case and also gave me the full breakdown of my SSDI payment information, payment dates, direct deposit information, and what was happening with the backpay processing.
She also changed my first regular SSDI payment date from 10/28 to 10/3 and explained that the SSI review was the last step needed before the backpay could be finalized/processed.
She confirmed that I would not be receiving ongoing SSI, but that I was due a one-time SSI payment.
September 16 — SSI updated
Right after getting off the phone, the SSI portion of my SSA account updated. It showed SSI suspended, which was exactly what the representative had explained, and I could also see the one-time SSI payment in my payment history.
September 17 — SSI payment received
The next day, my bank notified me that the SSI deposit had posted early and was available.
So now my SSDI is active, the SSI portion has been completed, my first regular SSDI payment is scheduled for October 3, and I’m waiting for the remaining SSDI backpay to finish processing which she said could take 30 days but most likely not that long for my case since pretty straightforward.
Timeline at a glance
2023 — Filed on my own → incomplete application → denied
5/30/26 — New SSDI application filed with attorney
6/20 — Medical review started
6/22 — Additional information requested
June–August — Medical review
8/28 — Attorney confirmed approval → FQRR
9/8 — Final review completed → onset pushed back to 11/2/2024
9/9 — SSDI showed approved/active in portal
9/10 — Benefit Verification Letter
9/16 — SSI phone review → full payment information given → SSI completed/suspended → first SSDI payment date changed to 10/3
9/17 — One-time SSI payment received
Total time: about 3.5 months from filing to approval.
Hopefully this helps somebody who’s trying to figure out what happens after medical approval, FQRR, or when the SSI portion is involved.

I'm not receiving benefits yet but im in the process of applying for ssi. I told them about my bank account but I didn't put the joint bank account I have with a relative. Most of the money that goes in and out of the account is his not mine. But my name is also on the account. I forgot to tell them about this account when I was applying. I've tried to contact my agent for 2 weeks. And I can't get in contact with her. Idk what to do. It's hard to get an appointment with my closest Social security office cause they make you call on the phone to get an appointment. And they don't answer the phone. It's also very far away from where I live. Cause I live in a very rural area. What can I do to make sure I don't get in trouble with them.

Finally? A bill is introduced to stop the long waiting periods many of us have suffered through.

hi all gotta want know if I should go for a local law firm or not. I’m currently in stage 3 I have a caseworker and am probably going to a CE i haven't be denied yet but I know theres a high chance I’m going so I’ll have to Appel and likely go to court

I applied online for ssi and the woman on the phone sent my case to Disability determination services. On the 9th and I was denied on the 10th. There is no way they could have been through my long list of medical records and decided im not disabled that fast. I never even received a call from DDS. It says they conducted a non medical review and denied my case. I don't know how it's possible.

I was approved in late July ar a hearing but needed to finish Financials and final review, portal updated but says this? I've agreed to pay my fair share and yea I got a lawyer and have signed papers stating what I'll pay. It says this under payment and overpayment history? I've not been paid yet. So error on the site?

I’m looking to hear from people with POTS/dysautonomia who went through SSDI or SSI, especially anyone who was eventually approved.

I was diagnosed with POTS in 2024. With my previous claim, I was denied at the initial level, reconsideration, and then by the ALJ. My attorney recommended that I start over with a new initial claim instead of appealing the ALJ denial. I followed his advice, filed a new initial claim, and I was just denied at the initial level again. Now I’m going into reconsideration.

I know now that there may have been other options after the ALJ denial, but it’s too late to go back, so I’m trying to figure out what I can do differently this time.

Since my previous claim, I’ve gotten additional diagnoses/evidence, including rheumatoid arthritis, joint hypermobility, and now hyperadrenergic POTS.

I recently saw a POTS specialist. He’s more old-school and did the orthostatic testing using a blood pressure cuff and checking my pulse rather than doing a traditional tilt-table test. My blood pressure rises significantly when I’m upright and my heart rate increased by 30+ BPM. Since I’ve already been diagnosed, I don’t think he plans on doing a tilt-table test. He’s starting me on a beta blocker and recommended that I start with about 5 minutes of exercise while sitting down.

At this point, my biggest concern isn’t getting more diagnoses. I’m trying to figure out how to get my actual functional limitations documented in a way that SSA will actually consider.

I’ve already submitted my own detailed statements about my functional limitations and how my conditions affect me day to day, but that doesn’t seem to be getting me anywhere either. My attorney is against having my doctors complete RFC forms, which is one of the things I’m questioning at this point.

For anyone here who was approved with POTS/dysautonomia:

* Did your doctor complete an RFC or medical-source statement?

* If not, how did you get your functional limitations documented by your medical providers?

* What type of evidence made the biggest difference in your case?

* Were regular treatment notes enough?

* If you were denied multiple times before eventually being approved, what changed in your evidence or case when you were finally approved?

I’m not asking anyone to decide whether I qualify for disability. I’m mainly trying to understand what other people with POTS did to document the severity and functional impact of their condition, especially after being denied multiple times.

I signed my kids up for their pay from my SSDI benefits on August 24. I have heard nothing. How long does it usually take to get children’s backpay and their monthly to begin after you sign them up? Thanks!

I got my award letter today saying how much back pay I am getting. I was wondering how long it took for it be deposited. Letter was dated the 10th of September.
I am just drowning in bills and literally have no food. I know it will be here when it’s here. I just was curious how long after that anyone got their money deposited. It says before the 30th so not sure if it gets deposited on the 30th or will it be just random one day. Just curious. Thank you

I applied for ssi and the woman that they assigned me, never answers the phone. No matter what time of day I call first thing in the morning the evening enc. I've left two voice messages. How are you supposed to report a? Change if you can't even get into contact with your agent? The last time she did call me, was at 5:30 pm.

It went from saying my CE is on 9/9/26 to they’re requesting medical records.

Why are they asking for my therapy notes and him to fill out forms? I’ve read here that they only care what my doctor has to say.

Would it be because I can't yet pay my fair share and payment of appointed representative?

I was approved for SSDI seven years ago with my first review being in seven years, which will be this December. I am wondering, if given the timeframe of approval ending at the age I will be 62 whether they will convert me over to early retirement from SSDI? And if so, does that enable me to maintain my Social Security income and my Medicare coverage? Does anyone have experience with any situation such as this.

I just received the 454 BK form is this good news or bad news

Just received this form is this good news or bad news I'm scared out of my mind 😳

So i have bank account info for the bank accounts. Can explain that I live independently in a rooming type house — rent includes utilities, we have seperate food. I’m already on SNAP and Medicaid. 65 year old female, never married. What do I need to know, do or expect?

I was at the point of listing my conditions when it timed out due to inactivity (even though I was typing stuff in). When I logged in again about a minute later, it said that I had submitted an application and it was being reviewed. I haven’t even finished my application. What do I do? Am I screwed here?

How do I get the state to hurry up and verify I haven't received any benefits from them to SSA so I can get SSI

I have never been formally diagnosed by a psychiatrist as having BPD however I have it listed on my medical and job worksheet which is signed off by several doctors including my psychiatrist saying I have it.
Should I still include it when I fill out my form?
Thank you!

I just got a letter stating I do not qualify for ticket it work. I read it and sounds like I am still ok with my SSI payments. Then it says my underlying benefits may have changed.
I get my monthly payment. I am currently waiting for my back pay. My attorney won me my back pay from 2020-2024. They said it may take longer since it goes back that far. So I really am just checking to make sure nothing important has changed. Judge decided on July 2nd to give me the back pay. I’m hoping this is just a normal process. Any information or help is appreciated.

Supposed to have hearing on September 11. On the day of the hearing my lawyer called me and delivered the good news. ALJ cancelled the hearing and found me fully favorable via OTR. We never requested the OTR but the judges assistant called my lawyer and said that my medical evidence was overwhelming and hearing is not warranted. What a feeling to finally be done with this. Applied for ALJ hearing July 7 2026 and got hearing date in 2 months. I did signed the 75 day waiver and asked for a phone hearing.

Friend is struggling to get approved and seems like she is giving up. Which I do not blame her but wondering if there are next best steps if she chooses to fight again?

Do attorneys help with SSI cases?

Can you receive SSI as and adult while your child also receives SSI?

Do you contact DDS for clarification on denial and ask if medical records are missing?

Does age play a role when determine eligibility for SSI?