londonteatime
04-23-2006, 09:51 PM
I got your message, Jenn, but couldn't find a way to reply!
Anyhoo, you can check the status of your application by going to www.socialsecurity.gov/applyforbenefits.
Click on "check your claim status." A page will pop up and you fill in your social security number and claim number. It will tell you where your application stands.
For a long time, mine said that Social Security is working on the Medical portion of the claim. I checked every few days even though I was told not to expect a decision for 4-5 months because Austin has a big backlog. I was SUPER SURPRISED when I checked the status on Friday and it said a decision had been made! There is a phone number to call on the "check status" page so when I got the message that the decision was in, I called the phone number. I got a representative immediately and he checked for me, returning with the great news!
About an hour later, the lady from the local office who filled out my app. for me called. She was working on my back benefits. Wow, what an angel she is!
To give you an idea of the timeframe -- I went to SSA to do the application on Feb. 6. I received the big packet of forms to fill out about Feb. 22. I had a heckuva time writing out all of that info and I called the disability examiner and told him there was no way I could have it back within 15 days. He was mega-grumpy and said I needed to mail it back ASAP but he would note my file that I called and was having trouble. It had to go to Chicago for some unknown reason but I was so paranoid, I sent it Express Mail so I had a record of it getting there. It arrived March 9 or 10.
I hadn't heard a word since then. I was really expecting them to send me to one of their doctors or to a therapist/psychiatrist because I reported having problems with depression. My GP showed me the forms SSA sent him and he, too, told me not to be surprised if they sent me to their own docs. We were both surprised at the equal emphasis they placed on depression, even though I wasn't being treated for it. My GP wrote on the forms that treating depression isn't his expertise but depression is to be expected for someone dealing with the diseases, symptoms and severe pain that I have.
So, that's my story. Probably a lot more info than you wanted, lol, but if it helps someone -- GREAT! I wish you the very best of luck!!!!!!
Julie
Anyhoo, you can check the status of your application by going to www.socialsecurity.gov/applyforbenefits.
Click on "check your claim status." A page will pop up and you fill in your social security number and claim number. It will tell you where your application stands.
For a long time, mine said that Social Security is working on the Medical portion of the claim. I checked every few days even though I was told not to expect a decision for 4-5 months because Austin has a big backlog. I was SUPER SURPRISED when I checked the status on Friday and it said a decision had been made! There is a phone number to call on the "check status" page so when I got the message that the decision was in, I called the phone number. I got a representative immediately and he checked for me, returning with the great news!
About an hour later, the lady from the local office who filled out my app. for me called. She was working on my back benefits. Wow, what an angel she is!
To give you an idea of the timeframe -- I went to SSA to do the application on Feb. 6. I received the big packet of forms to fill out about Feb. 22. I had a heckuva time writing out all of that info and I called the disability examiner and told him there was no way I could have it back within 15 days. He was mega-grumpy and said I needed to mail it back ASAP but he would note my file that I called and was having trouble. It had to go to Chicago for some unknown reason but I was so paranoid, I sent it Express Mail so I had a record of it getting there. It arrived March 9 or 10.
I hadn't heard a word since then. I was really expecting them to send me to one of their doctors or to a therapist/psychiatrist because I reported having problems with depression. My GP showed me the forms SSA sent him and he, too, told me not to be surprised if they sent me to their own docs. We were both surprised at the equal emphasis they placed on depression, even though I wasn't being treated for it. My GP wrote on the forms that treating depression isn't his expertise but depression is to be expected for someone dealing with the diseases, symptoms and severe pain that I have.
So, that's my story. Probably a lot more info than you wanted, lol, but if it helps someone -- GREAT! I wish you the very best of luck!!!!!!
Julie