Anyone have Tips on Appearing before ALJ???

[nidean847]

Hi guys,

Haven't posted in a while due-to illness and short trip back home(chicago).
But I would love to hear tips from anyone who has gone before the ALJ to obtain SSDI benifits.
I just got my letter saying that they will contact me 20 days before the actual hearing date.......hmmm!!
Some folks say that it can take up to 18 months here in the state of Florida. Any help/tips will be much appreciated.

Nicole

[wvspunky]

Hello Nicole I to haven't posted in awhile but I can tell you I live in Wv and it took me about 6 months to get my SSD and SSI benifits. Its all a big pain but hang in there you'll get it.


Robin
WV

[raggedyann1]

Nikki,

Do you have a lawyer? Do all your doctors support your application for SSDI? One thing that has helped some members is to contact both of their senators and their congressman for help in speeding things along. And yes it actually helps. There is some arcane rule in Soc Sec that requests from congress push that application higher up in the stack. Is it fair? No but that is the way it goes. I was fortunate and approved without having to go thru the appeal process. However there are lots of good posts going back a couple of years in this forum. If you searched hearing and anydate for this forum you will find lots of information that can help you.

Take care,
Karen

[nidean847]

Hey Karen,

Yes I have a lawyer and my rhuemy is supportive but I still got turned down twice.
I was looking at some older post but with due the search per your suggestion.
I also contacted my congress person but I have wrote his office with no response and I also called but they said the congress man couldn't help me unless I was be evicted from my home...that would be tool ate then...I don't know......don't know why he can't help me get a speedy court date unless I am homeless.

thanks for your suggestions,
Nikki




<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(raggedyann1 @ Mar 10 2006, 03:09 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
Nikki,

Do you have a lawyer? Do all your doctors support your application for SSDI? One thing that has helped some members is to contact both of their senators and their congressman for help in speeding things along. And yes it actually helps. There is some arcane rule in Soc Sec that requests from congress push that application higher up in the stack. Is it fair? No but that is the way it goes. I was fortunate and approved without having to go thru the appeal process. However there are lots of good posts going back a couple of years in this forum. If you searched hearing and anydate for this forum you will find lots of information that can help you.

Take care,
Karen
[/b][/quote]

[flowergarden]

Nikki, make sure it's your STATE senator and rep that you contact, not the federal ones. The company helping me with my SSDI claim was very specific about that.

Also, email usually gets through faster than snail mail, due to security measures.

I also would not vote for the politician who treated you so poorly! And I'd let them know that. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif

[raggedyann1]

Nikki,

Pickles a long time member here went through her congressman and some of the social security memos refer to our federal lawmakers so I would tackle both state and federal. If you search Pickles you may find more information about how to do some of this.

Karen

[nidean847]

Thanks guys,

I will keep trying!!!

Nikki




<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(raggedyann1 @ Mar 11 2006, 02:48 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
Nikki,

Pickles a long time member here went through her congressman and some of the social security memos refer to our federal lawmakers so I would tackle both state and federal. If you search Pickles you may find more information about how to do some of this.

Karen
[/b][/quote]