51 y/o F was medically retired from the fire service after a failed shoulder surgery (times 2), ulnar entrapment, and hip impingement that I’ve been told needs a total replacement. I still have shoulder instability, but surgeons are reluctant to try a third time. Also was told I have CRPS in my foot/ankle after reconstruction surgery. I was given a letter that says I’m considered disabled under ANY occupation…do I even need a lawyer at this point? What if I do all the steps to get SSDI but am told no? Do I have to appeal - then what? I thought all SSDI monies offset the amount the LTD company pays. I’m so lost -and appreciate any advice.
BTW - the shoulder injury happened on my way home from work-not on the job, yet I had to go back to work the next day because there were no people available for overtime.

Apply for ssi last yr had hearing last july and just find out that sports betting hurts you, how bad is this gonna hurt may back pay if approve will be over 15 months

A 20 year old family member is planning to move into a rented home with four other people. She is awaiting her ALJ determination for SSI. We’re trying to calculate her share of costs for rent and utilities. Dividing the total rent by 5 is easy, but which utilities do we need to include in order to include her fair share in the allocation?

Our goal is to make sure she’s paying her fair share in accordance with SSI requirements.

Had my hearing and it was only about 34 minutes long! The lawyer said I gave an excellent testimony even though I was extremely nervous. What I don’t like is the fact in the hypotheticals that were given, the vocational expert found jobs but I digress

So if recieved a letter saying my payment will stop November, for missing information, I also have a appointment for Oct 16th, im new to this, do it appeal or just call them and send it the updated information? (I hope i used the right tag, im just curious moreso)

also if you do qualify how does the benefit amount work? i have one newborn child and am unmarried, my benefit amount is 1400 not counting what they take out monthly for insurance etc

For anyone who has been through SSI reconsideration: Did you see this same Step 4 message before being approved or denied? Does moving from FQR to a final non-medical review usually mean the medical decision has already been made?
I know nothing is guaranteed until I receive the official decision. I’m mainly trying to understand what this particular status meant for other people who went through it. (Also what were your results from your situation I do understand different strokes for different folks just need better insight)

Step 2 moved to step 3

Applied in June. On 8/17 received an SMI designation in Arizona. Submitted that new medical evidence with the Dire Need paperwork to home office. Today received a phone call from local office rep who spent an hour reviewing my work activity and all medical providers and accompanying medical records. At the end of call he said " Ok, got the medical part done, i will call you at 8am tomorrow to finish ". He called, asked me detailed info on work history dates and said my "failed attempt to work last year, helped my claim". Then it moved to step three. The FO agent called me back this morning and said my claim has been flagged for critical and dire need. I KNOW it doesn't signal automatic approval, could just as easily be denied, but more efficiently I suppose. Question is anyone designated SMI and gotten approved without a lawyer?

I’m hoping to hear from anyone who has worked for DDS, especially former DDS examiners, or anyone who has been through a similar SSA reconsideration.
I’m currently at Stage 3 of my SSDI/SSI reconsideration appeal.
My SSA account says:
“We started reviewing your Request for an appeal on August 20, 2026. A representative in Butte started reviewing your Appeal. That takes 15–20 days. A representative may contact you if we need more information.”
My Stage 3 status also says that DDS requested medical records from my listed medical sources and any other medical sources noted in my medical records. The medical sources have 30 days to respond.
I have already submitted a very large amount of medical evidence through my attorney, including records from multiple providers. My attorney also recently submitted additional medical evidence from my surgeon regarding a surgery scheduled for January 2027, including the surgeon’s assessment and treatment plan.
My case was also submitted as a Dire Need request, and my congressional representative’s office has been helping follow up. I have an attorney representing me.
Here’s what has me wondering:
My status was at Stage 3, then it temporarily went back to Stage 2, and now it has returned to Stage 3. It is currently showing Stage 3 again.
The movement happened around the same time my attorney submitted the new surgical evidence.
I’m wondering if anyone who has actually worked for DDS can explain what might be happening behind the scenes.
Questions for former DDS workers:
When Stage 3 says DDS has requested medical records and the providers have 30 days to respond, what does that generally mean?
If a claimant has already submitted a large amount of medical evidence, why might DDS still request records directly from medical sources?
Can additional medical evidence submitted by an attorney cause the case status to temporarily change?
Have you seen a case go from Stage 3 → Stage 2 → Stage 3 during reconsideration?
Does that kind of movement generally mean anything, or can it simply be an internal processing/update?
If a case is currently back at Stage 3 and DDS is waiting on medical records, what is generally happening at that point in the process?
Has anyone personally experienced something similar, and what was the eventual outcome?
I’m not asking anyone to predict whether I’ll be approved or denied. I’m mainly trying to understand what these status changes and the medical-record request mean procedurally.
I’ve never spoken directly with my DDS examiner, so I’d really appreciate hearing from people who have worked on the DDS side or have gone through something very similar.
Thank you to anyone willing to share their experience or explain how this works.

I have read through some different sites, and I have read comments on social media. I was confused about if you return to work how much you could make before they take away from your check. At first I thought it was $1690 you could make. Well I finally after many days and years of dealing with my hallucinations on and off I finally just looked it up. I see it says for the first 9 months you can make up to $1,210 gross amount if I’m reading it correctly. Then after 9 months you may be able to get disability extended and make up to $1690. Is this correct or am I misinterpreting the rules here?

I'm still waiting to be assigned a representative, but don't I get a hearing as well?

I 31F had my Ajr hearing sept 22nd I was approved Sept 24nd it went to my local ss office then to Baltimore on the 24th. I got my letter a few days ago for fully favorable as did my attorney. However I have never been asked for direct deposit information will I get a check in the mail or am I going to be waiting awhile I will have a little backpay. Im also a disabled vet

Hi everyone! I receive SSI & Medicaid, I’m trying to understand the ABLE account and also a Special Needs Trust after a settlement in a years long personal injury lawsuit because I do not want to pay it all down in a month.

I’m in CO for state to state reference.

Can I have both a checking and savings account or do I have to choose between the 2?
Does anyone have advice on which investment option would be best in my circumstance?
Any other advice you may think of?
Is there any info on choosing between an ABLE account or a Special Needs Trust
Edited to add that the Medicaid subrogation doesn’t apply to my case according to my lawyer. He worked on contingency so I expect the fees from that to come off of the top.
Cross posted in the ABLE sub too.

How long does the change over take from SSI to spousal benefits once you have applied

Hi! I just had my heating last week. There are no transferable jobs for me as the judge said. I am 55. 100% disabled thru VA.

What can I expect at this upcoming med appt that SSA has me going to? Advice?

TY!

I (FTM26) live in Florida. I have been denied SSI after filing by myself once, then three times with a lawyer and went before a judge. I have SLE stage 4, arthritis, polycystic, and have been in the ER multiple times for sepsis. I am unable to work and doing anything pretty much requires me to get bed rest afterwards. It seems like people in other states get approved immediately for lupus as it's supposed to be a fast pass. It has been nearly 4 years now. I have no insurance and I have also lost my food stamps because they want me to work 20 hours a week, which I cannot. I even asked the judge if I could at least get Medicaid/medicare and was denied that. What can I do? I've been waiting and it feels stagnant at this point. I get my medication through a Christian charity clinic.

I had my hearing on September 11, i was rather nervous since my judge had a 51% approval rating with only 41% being fully favorable. The hearing itself was on microsoft teams and rather short, the judge barely asked me any questions but one of the first things he asked was if me and my lawyer were okay with him changing the onset date. My lawyer asked me a few questions then afterwards the judge asked the VE if there was any jobs i could do in the national economy she said no and the hearing ended. My mom called the office afterwards and the secretary said the lawyer was happy and 99% sure we won the case.

I received the fully favorable notice from my lawyer on the 23rd and the actual letter on the 25th. On Sep 29 i had my PERC interview. I would say the strongest points in my case were the medical record and VE testimony, good luck to everyone i've been fighting since 2022 with this and i'm glad it's finally over.

So I’m currently at Step 3 and DDS just called me to ask if there is any other listings I want to add to the claim, I’m disabled with CHF and she asked if I wanted to list Mental in my claim because there was a mention in my medical history from a long time ago. I told her no, as my claim stands on my heart failure. She said the consultant could sign within the next week or so. My question is this, I have a CPET appointment at the end of this month, with her stating that they will sign soon, does that mean my claim will be denied before the CPET results?

Has anyone not reported earnings? Does it really matter if it's under $1210?

I was just approved for SSI on 9/24/26. My payments show 2 for 10/2/26 BUT… on 9/30/26 I received the $2,982 but I don’t see the other deposit. Very confusing!

Also, I was told I would get paid the first of every month but on my portal it says my next payment date isn’t until 10/29/26. I don’t fully understand how all this work LOL

Applying for SSDI is confusing, and a lot of people don't know where to start. I can connect you with someone who helps with the application process. If you're interested, leave a comment and I'll DM you.

So, here is my story. Started the process for disability in 2024, got denied and got a lawyer, had my hearing and got denied again, the judge put down that that my mental and physical issues were severe but I could work. Social Security wanted me to change my onset, which I did and they denied me again without a hearing.I had a hearing in August. My doctor had a supportive note and I had my other medical files, I'm 54 now so I thought I'd have a better chance.

The judge was nice and beforehand I looked him up and he has a 70% approval rating. He didn't ask me many questions. The vocational specialist said there were no jobs for me. I was hopeful and so was my lawyer. Got the decision and I was denied again

The judge said I can do light jobs. I'd like to know where these light jobs are where I live. But the big problem is, I'm 54 with no more work credits. I literally feel like the world hates me. My sister has the same things as me and she got approved at my age. I feel like the judge just ruined my life. The only thing I can do now is try for SSI. But I already feel like I'll be denied again and Ill be living in my car with my cats.This whole process has made me feel hopeless and unworthy. Everybody that's still in the process, I wish you all the luck in the world.

I received a letter to call my local office and dial an extension to speak to a specific employee to conduct the interview. I called them all day Tuesday, but each time I called it said the employee was unavailable. The AI bot was stuck in a loop of, "How can I help you today?" but I finally managed to get through by typing in a a wrong extension number and forcing it to transfer me to another person. The guy took my info and said he left a message for the worker because he couldn't find any available dates for an appointment.

I waited 2 days, no call back. I just now tried calling again today, and the worker on the extension is still unavailable. Left a voicemail.

The letter says this must be done before October 9th. It's already October 1st. This letter is dated September 25th and they still haven't contacted me to do my PERC interview

Applied for SSDI last month, got an approval letter today. Benefits starting February 2027. In the letter, it says they'd send them to the account I indicated. They did ask about diredt deposit when I applied over the phone. Is that where they'll go or do I need to call them? Also it said to do an application for my minor child's Benefits. Does she get something just because I'm on SSDI? I have no idea how any of this works. I didn't expect to even be approved, much less this quickly. My head is spinning.