Migraine

Okay, I made the plunge and applied for disabilty and I have filled out more forms, provided so many medical records it makes my head hurt (insert humor).

My question is; how long will this process take? I have been waiting two months, have called and left messages and zip, nada, zilch. Their response looks like my wallet right now...empty.

Anyone have any suggestions about what to do next? I plan on going up there again this week and see if they know what is going on and why my calls aren't being returned.

Just curious if anyone else has been through this process?

i hate to be the bearer of bad news but the process tends to take awhile. I filed back in April 2005 - I have been denied twice and appealed twiced. The next step is going before a judge and I'm waiting to find out the date. I have a lawyer and this is as fast as it goes.

Right now it is estimated to be 5 months before you get your first answer. Sorry.

Jeepers!! No wonder I haven't gotten return phone calls yet. It was hard enough to quit my job and even harder to ask for assistance to pay bills! Oh well, let the waiting begin huh?

I applied in Dec. of 2006 and got accepted in either April or May of 2007. You get back pay for all the months you waited which is a large chunk of money. It is worth the wait. I really hope you get accepted.

Hey Beaker. How did you get it so fast? Where accepted the first time you applied? I am waiting for a hearing and it has been over two years. My atty. thinks that I will get it once we get the hearing but it could be another year before I get the hearing. What was your trick?

Beaker/Ali-You sure did get it fast! I called today and found out my caseworker is out for three months on leave and they can't get through to her voicemail. You would think with my DH in the military I would be used to the red tape but GEEZ!!!

Anyway, I was told by the lady who answered the phone that my paperwork just came back in (even though I provided everything when I applied) she asked if I would oppose being seen by their physician to which I applied no; then she asked what exactly is my disability.

When I told her chronic migraines she just said "oh, well, I'm sure someone will write to you soon."

I am with Ali on this one...how did you get it so soon? Persistance? I provided my history for years so I wouldn't think that would be an issue?

quote:

Originally posted by Beaker:
I applied in Dec. of 2006 and got accepted in either April or May of 2007. You get back pay for all the months you waited which is a large chunk of money. It is worth the wait. I really hope you get accepted.

From my understanding being sent to one of thier doctors is a very good sign. Make sure to give him/her ALL of your medical records prior to your appointment. You want to prove to that doctor that you are disabled.

I'm in North Carolina. I don't know if it is different for different states but I was told that migrainers don't get approved until they get to the hearing part. I hope for you it doesn't take that long. It is just a waiting game!

Ali

Hi!
I just looked at my paperwork. I actually applied in Nov. of 2006 Not Dec. of 2006. I was accepted on May 31, 2007. So it was about 6 months. Whenever they called me or sent me a letter requesting me info. I faxed my info to them so they would get it right away. I had a lot of problems with Jefferson Headache Center sending my records to them so I had to call Jefferson and make sure they were sending all my records. I also had a family doctor and two hospitals send records to them. I did everything ASAP and didn't sit on it.

I really don't know why I was approved right away. I had a really bad year with several ER visits, my family doctor, and Jefferson visits. I also had depression issues so I had records from a psychologist sent. I only saw her three times so I don't think that made much difference but who knows what she wrote down! LOL!!

If you have any other questions let me know.

Hi, Beaker! Welcome to the forum!

I know pretty much nothing about the disability process, but I still wanted to say hello!

Ali-I'm your neighbor; I live in Virginia! I think Jamie is in NC too.

If I end up going to a hearing I will bring my moving van of medical records. Virginia can be a crazy state sometimes. I'm not big on waiting games but I understand their point, they need to make sure I am legit.

Thanks!!

quote:

Originally posted by Ali:
From my understanding being sent to one of thier doctors is a very good sign. Make sure to give him/her ALL of your medical records prior to your appointment. You want to prove to that doctor that you are disabled.

I'm in North Carolina. I don't know if it is different for different states but I was told that migrainers don't get approved until they get to the hearing part. I hope for you it doesn't take that long. It is just a waiting game!

Ali

Hi Beaker-Thanks for the info. I have done just like you did and six months really isn't that long so I guess I can't complain (ok, I can but shouldn't complain) after only a few months into it. It was just disappointing when my caseworker is AWOL with no one handling the case.

quote:

Originally posted by Beaker:
Hi!
I just looked at my paperwork. I actually applied in Nov. of 2006 Not Dec. of 2006. I was accepted on May 31, 2007. So it was about 6 months.

If you have any other questions let me know.

Hi Laura from VA and Jamie from NC. The east coast gang. Good luck with the process. I was told it could still be another year. It is hard to be patient but sometimes we have to be.

Ali

quote:

Originally posted by Ali:
Hi Laura from VA and Jamie from NC. The east coast gang. Good luck with the process. I was told it could still be another year. It is hard to be patient but sometimes we have to be.

Ali

Hey Ali,

That just made me think of a truth based on your sentence which is both a truism and a response...

"It's tough having patience when you're the Patient."

Hope you're holding up well!

That is so true! lol Where in NC do you reside? I'm in central NC.

Who do you see for your migraines? I go to Chapel Hill.