I found a pretty great blog about understanding the process of applying for Disability Bennies.
Read more here.
Based on what I've been reading, (I must add that some of the information is a bit dated, but this writer was actually a claims adjuster. Knows the biz.) the process can be a lot less difficult if you know exactly what steps to follow. I have been jazzed to read advice about having the right information at the time of your interview. It is far better to apply in person than over the phone or via an internet application.
First things first: Calling my local Social Security office and landing an appointment. This way, I have the freedom to choose when I will be ready to present the proper paperwork for evaluation. They will try to dig for your Medical Records, and will most likely find what is needed to grant your approval, but it is a great idea to have a list of:
-Every Doctor that you have had a long enough working relationship with that could hold any water. Every Crohn's patient should have a loyal and trustworthy Gastroenterology professional that they are comfortable seeing on a regular basis. Keeping these relationships fresh will help you very much in the event that if a flare occurs, someone knows just what your body may need, rather than having to move forward with unnecessary and expensive testing.
Side note--
Know, love, and trust your specialist. Form a comfortable relationship. This is one of the most important things in a Crohn's patient's life.
I hated the Doctor that diagnosed me. Straight up hated his guts for not pushing me to inform myself of the things that could happen in severe flares of my disease... Hey, I was 16. These days, I adore my GI Doc.
Dr. Sarah Flier is not much older than I am. She is warm, understanding, approachable, and she's HUNGRY. She legitimately wants to help, and listens to me in a way that no other Gastro Specialist has! Go see her!
-Next, do you have a copy of your Medical Record history?
You should. After a certain amount of time, they can become unavailable to you through your original Doctors if you have been sick for a number of years. Get in touch with whoever you can to find out more about every:
-Diagnosis
-Procedure you have had
-Medications you have taken
-Any tests/ exams/ scans you've undergone
As muuuch as you can find. Call your Doctors and request a Medical Release. You will have to go through some paperwork and perhaaaaps pay a fee. I believe this is absolutely worth it if you haven't kept up with your records. I'll add that I wish I had kept better records of my Crohn's Disease.
-After you gather your list of Ghosts of Doctor's Past, (I have seen more than I even remember...) and obtain as much of your Medical Records as possible, the next important task is listing your entire work history. Upon consideration for Disability Benefits, your previous jobs can say a lot about your sickness, and the last 15 years of your life in employment will be taken into consideration. If you can no longer perform in these areas of work, your benefits will be rewarded a bit more rapidly. This is my hope. They also take a look at some of the areas that you may be able to work in again, and can possibly deny your application, and simply suggest that you try one of those.
Crohn's patients do not belong working in restaurants.
Ok. I am getting in touch with my GI Doc from way back today to get my Medical Records.
Then, making the call to schedule my appointment at the SS office in Boston.
I will post my entire adventure. Here goes nothing.
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