| The stories told here are based on true events, but | | | | her medical needs. Sharon could sense that she would |
| names (and some details) have been changed. These | | | | soon be out of a job. She decided to apply for Social |
| stories are intended to show how different types of | | | | Security disability in 2004. |
| disabilities can be treated by Social Security as they | | | | Erica, the woman with bipolar disorder, qualified for only |
| go through the disability application process. | | | | SSI because she had little income, and hadn't earned |
| Remember that each disability claim is different from | | | | enough work credits to qualify for disability. Social |
| the next, and your claim may be as unique as your | | | | Security requested her medical records and |
| individual situation. | | | | determined that she did meet the listings for mental |
| Erica's moods were out of control. Many days she | | | | disorders. Her condition was severe enough that she |
| was severely depressed. She had lost interest in | | | | could not perform any type of work. She now has |
| leaving her house, or sometimes even leaving her bed. | | | | Medicare and is receiving mental treatment. |
| Erica felt that she was worthless and had thoughts of | | | | Andrew, the man with back problems, qualified for SSI |
| ending her misery. But sometimes she felt edgy, almost | | | | and disability. He had very little income, and had |
| hyper, and couldn't concentrate or focus. Sometimes it | | | | worked enough to earn work credits necessary for |
| was difficult to get a point across when talking. She | | | | disability insurance. He also qualified separately for |
| knew something was wrong, so she began seeing a | | | | Workers Compensation benefits, so his SSI and |
| doctor in 1995. She was then diagnosed with bipolar | | | | Disability benefits were offset a bit. He is still in chronic |
| disorder. She applied for Social Security disability in | | | | pain, but at least he doesn't have to worry about |
| 1996. | | | | financial support. |
| Andrew was experienced in his job, but accidents | | | | Sharon did not qualify for Social Security under |
| happen to even the most experienced of workers. An | | | | Anxiety alone, and she did not qualify for her Arthritis |
| accident at work left his spine injured, and from then | | | | alone. After she applied, she lost her job and could not |
| on he had chronic pain. No medications helped, and he | | | | find work. Her disability and SSI case went to hearing, |
| had to change positions every twenty minutes | | | | where they stated that she could perform work such |
| because of the pain. It affected his sleep, his daily | | | | as a toll booth, where she could stand and sit as |
| activities, and prevented him from returning to work. He | | | | needed for her Arthritis. But since she has Anxiety |
| immediately applied for Social Security disability and | | | | also, which prevents her from stressful situations (and |
| Workers Compensation. | | | | in her case, enclosed spaces), there was no job she |
| Sharon had several problems. Her arthritis was getting | | | | could perform. So she was approved for Social |
| worse every week, and sometimes her legs hurt so | | | | Security Disability and SSI at the hearing level. If Sharon |
| bad she couldn't stand. She couldn't do her regular daily | | | | had been able to work, she could have worked a few |
| activities such as gardening and taking walks. But | | | | hours without losing her benefits (up to SGA levels). |
| Sharon had another major problem: anxiety. She | | | | These are stories that many can relate to, but each |
| couldn't handle stress very well, and sometimes she | | | | individual disability claim is different in many ways. |
| lost control in the worst places. Her work had been | | | | Wherever you are in the application process, best of |
| understanding, but they were becoming frustrated with | | | | luck. |