I began the journey a couple of months ago.
Due to the nasty complications of my T1D and proliferating retinopathy, I've been unable to hold any steady work since about 2009... one other job since then, but fighting the unemployment and food stamps and state benefits system is wearing me down.
I have little faith in the SSD benefits either.
Apparently I have to carve my eyes out with spoons to be considered disabled, even though I can barely drive at night anymore (only locally) and can't be in flourescent lighting or bright sunlight and can't do strenuous activity and I just want to jump off a bridge.
Is there any hope that someone can win a disability case from diabetes and it's complications?
I'd advise obtaining an attorney if you haven't. With the attorney's usually its set up, you don't pay unless you win. They are skilled at making sure all the forms are properly filled out, and will help you present you case in the best possible way. Even then it's a crap shot. I know no one who has ever been approved the first time. Almost always your case is denied, then you have to file an appeal...a LOT of people are denied the second time as well, and usually by the third appeal, where it goes before a judge, most people I know have had success getting it approved then. I agree it's ridiculous but I won't get started on that rant. Good luck, I wish I could say sure you'll get approved the first go around, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
My understanding is the same as Christy's, Sagwabetes. I also know that the more documentation you have from medical professionals the better, speaking directly to those things that make you unable to function in a work environment.
I work in insurance claims and, while an attorney may be able to help you with your case, you'd have to pay them which, to some degree, might defeat the purpose of receiving benefits? I don't do that kind of insurance but have had some cases with massively injured people and, in many cases, medical providers will help people get benefits because the medical providers want to get paid.
I have also heard about the denial appeal process and agree that it's a bit bizarre but claims can also be very interesting, in the Chinese curse sense of the word. You seem pretty sharp and, if you can be tenacious, your end result may be better. At the same time, I know you've made big steps towards improving your control and I wouldn't want you to stop doing that in the hope of getting benefits as, barring losing feet/ going blind/ etc. I'm not sure what sort of odds you have getting disability status approved. Another useful thing to get may be documentation from jobs you'd lost, which may substantiate how your condition adversely affected your employability. It may be awkward but they're required to keep those records and should be able to provide them.
Have you tried asking a low vision specialist if he has any people he knows in this area? Do you go to one? These people sometimes have worthwhile, experienced contacts because they are dealing with this as a problem all the time. You are not alone in the problems you are mentioning. To your last question, I can say, yes. Without attorneys. Detail/documentation is needed.
thanks for the feedback
Your best bet is to appeal if denied but this time have a lawyer who is a specialist. In 1998 I filed for SSD and was denied a friend suggested that I appeal. I got the name of a law firm that specialized in SSD and I won my case. Anyone that Ive talked to went the same route and all of their outcomes were the same as mine, appeal and have a lawyer.
Christy has the right answer and summary comment.
I am left to believe they will have you do the initial application on your own and then take over at appeal level to save funds for you.
I would offer without attorney, it is extremely tough. You will need a specialist as well as good medical doctors and doco.
Best wishes and good luck. This is one area where one needs good legal assistance and not try to solve on your own as you get easily bushwacked and cannot really defend yourself.
It takes determination and documentation. When i was granted SSD it was because I appealed and had a lawyer. I won when I appealed I didn't have to do any additional paperwork because I had filled that out when I applied...I guess they didn't need any more documentation...be persistent and truthful.
Yes there is but I am going to suggest that you get a disability attorney to help you.
The attorney will know how to fight for you and how to present your case in the best light. And they will be able to tell you what state your disability needs to reach in order to be considered a disability. By the way, my Nephew is legally blind and he is on disability but he was born that way. I think it is much harder for those who become disabled later in life to qualify for disability.
Also be prepared to be turned down and have to appeal. It is the nature of the game.
Wishing you the best.