Anyone ever have their SSD revoked?

[ForAandA]

Hello everyone. DH was classified disabled in September 2007. We began receiving Social Security (SSD) in January 2008. Dh also received 4 years of retro this summer (what a blessing!).

Dh is very worried about his review. He was told to expect a review 1 year in, which would be anytime now. Some background, DH has a broken neck, his back is broken in 4 places, has degenerative disc disease, stenosis of the spine, numerous stomach issues, and OF COURSE, depression. Who wouldn't be depressed with all of that. He is only 32 BTW .

Dh is classified as "permenantly disabled". He has not improved at all, actually is worse off this year than last. So, why are we worried? Because it is social security. They seem to have their own rules

So, back to the original question. Has anyone had their benefits revoked? Did you fight it? Thanks in advance!

 

[mgilmer]

I have helped patients get SSI and SSDI and it can be very hard to get it, but once you get it, the burden to prove no continuing disability is on the Agency and they cannot prove that easily.

 

[ForAandA]

Thank you for your advice

 

[minkydog]

I think I understand. My DH was finally approved for SSDI about 18 months ago. Its definitely been a blessing, but DH worries about losing it all the time. He's only 51 and never dreamed he would be disabled at a young age.

In his case, proving he was "really" disabled was the hard part. He has sarcoidosis, a lung disease that *usually* doesn't make people all that sick. In fact, most people just get over it without treatment. Proving that DH not only was extremely ill but actually disabled took a long time (he has been disabled for the past 5yrs!)

DH worries about losing his SSDI in part because he knows he cannot work--he simply does not have the stamina to work for more than a few minutes at a time. He worries that they'll change their mind and we'll be left high & dry. It's not likely to happen, but he worries. He's depressed and ill much of the time. At times he worries that maybe he's "just faking it" and he's really not disabled--of course, one trip to the laundry room cures him of that thought!

I highly doubt that my DH will ever work again. But that doesn't stop him from worrying about providing for his family or trying to push himself to do whatever he *can* do to keep up with the rest of us. I do my part to help ease his burden, but he still worries.

Hugs to you. It's hard being the caregiver.

 

[mechurchlady]

1997 around Christmas I got approved and my health is better defined and it is of course worse with age and diagnosis.

I got installments of back stuff and it was past due on the last one. I found out that the person who was in charge of my case left and all her work was still in her desk drawer untouched.

I have have had one review since then and once they were starting one but then cancelled. I filled out paperwork and have not heard from them since.

SCARED yep TERRIFIED yep but why? I know I have mental illnesses stemming from aspie like stuff, ADD, sensory issues, and birth defects as well as celiac and various joint problems and a bad disc and morbid obesity. My problem is that my illnesses are thankfully rotational. I am right now going through food allergies and celiac problems and swollen ankles. Normally it is my rump from setting on a broken bed and the usual joint and back pain. I can work but I would have a hard time in a regular job because of nap attacks, low energy, stress, brain quirks and not being able to stand, walk etc enough. I do not worry as much now that I got through that last review. Now that that is over I breathe easier because I passed their criteria and know I will never get better. I do worry because with out that income I would have none as I have no solid job history, no references, and no job skills other that driving sweepers, dog grooming years ago and um annoying people. I would love a job but no way could I survive.

In your case you might not even get reviewed for years if they are back logged. There was a push for them to get off their rumps and stop denying some people who were really ill while fakers got in because they knew how to work the system. People were waiting years for approval while out of work, it was very bad 10 years ago. The push was to get more cases taken care of instead of follow ups. I doubt it has changed.

 

[ForAandA]

His case as been so unusual. We applied in March of 06. Peperwork took over a year, and he was originally denied August of 07. Isn't everyone denied the first time around

We requested a hearing, and was given a court date right away. Only waited a month for a court date. Just three days after sitting in front of the judge, he was approved. It was truly a blessing. The retro was a shock as well. This is why he feels as though it can be taken away. Because it was almost too easy. We know that he will not be able to work for the rest of his life. Heck, the judge agreed. But yet, he worries every day.

I have to be honest, I work. I work full time. My children need medical benefits, money for college, and other things which his monthly check will not cover. I will never figure out how people live on what they give. It is just not enough.

I guess DH is just waiting for the other shoe to drop. I keep on telling him that the shoes dropped years ago when he became hurt, and that everyone is now barefoot

 

[arminnie]

Let me try to be reassuring here. I know of several people who have been diabled for years and years (decades even).

I only know of one person who was approved with no problems. And she is the one who has the most "invisible" disability. I do not know what it is (nor is it any of my business).

It would not be responsible for the government to never check back. Sometimes people do get better. Not very often, but it is possible that somebody might improve. It might be totally impossible in your case - but in general they just sort of randomly (or regularly) check everyone once in awhile.

I don't know of a soul who has had it revoked while they were still unemployed. The only way I know that it has been discontinued (not revoked) is if the person involved used the "ticket out" option and got retrained for a job that they could do. In these cases it was the individual not SS who made the decision they could work doing something.

FYI - the retro part was not just something nice they did. It is the law. When benefits are awarded it goes back to the date of filing. Which is why it is important for someone to appeal if they are declined not just reapply.

 

[ForAandA]

Let me try to be reassuring here. I know of several people who have been diabled for years and years (decades even).

I only know of one person who was approved with no problems. And she is the one who has the most "invisible" disability. I do not know what it is (nor is it any of my business).

It would not be responsible for the government to never check back. Sometimes people do get better. Not very often, but it is possible that somebody might improve. It might be totally impossible in your case - but in general they just sort of randomly (or regularly) check everyone once in awhile.

I don't know of a soul who has had it revoked while they were still unemployed. The only way I know that it has been discontinued (not revoked) is if the person involved used the "ticket out" option and got retrained for a job that they could do. In these cases it was the individual not SS who made the decision they could work doing something.

FYI - the retro part was not just something nice they did. It is the law. When benefits are awarded it goes back to the date of filing. Which is why it is important for someone to appeal if they are declined not just reapply.

Thanks for the kind words. The retro actually went back to before the date of application, as ordered by the judge. That was a huge surprise to us. As for the government checking in, I just wish they would already. Want to get it ove with

 

[barkley]

i was approved on my first application (and my disabilities are very invisible to those who do not live with me), my brother's application was approved on his first application as well-his are very visable. but given-we are rare in having had this happen. having worked in a job that dealt with ssd applications i can tell you that a large number are denied the first time around for no reason relating to the person's disability-it ends up being either a lack of supporting documentation or conflicting/lacking documentation by doctors. the doctors are'nt at fault for this, they report as they should but ss wants every doctor to be in complete agreement about the status of a patient they share so if one doctor does'nt take the time to write in their report that 'mr jones was evaluated and diagnosed with y disease by dr. z and i concur with that diagnosis' it can cause the application to be called into question.

let your dh know that a re-evaluation can vary greatly in scope. with some they involve getting updated med reports to ensure that one's doctors are reevaluating their status (because some conditions do improve such that a person can become employable) but with some it can be a simple 1 sided form letter that asks a few questions. the one i received last asked if my condition had radicaly changed and what discussions my doctor and i have had regarding my returning to work. i answered the questions and apparantly it was sufficient to not require any further information. generaly with injuries or illnesses that are 'fixed' and do not have any kind of anticipatory recovery the review is simply a means of ss 'touching bases' with the recipient.

 

[dclfun]

I am someone who was approved on the first try and I am someone who now works full time and STILL gets SSDI. I have passed every review. The reason for this is the IRWE program which is "impairment related work expenses". Because I have to pay for a caregiver and medical supplies that aren't covered by insurance plus service dog expenses to be able to work the government takes that into account when looking at my income, which then becomes under the "substantial gainful amount". I am also able to keep Medicare although it became secondary under my employer's insurance and every year I get more in SSDI due to them counting what I've paid into SS during the year. I do know only one person whose SSDI was revoked and he fought it tooth and nail to no avail. He had a back and foot injury and used a manual w/c part time because he couldn't stand and walk for long periods. The government decided he could do some type of work, so he was cut off. For most people though, by the time we've passed the first review as adults ( children get SSI very easily compared to adults getting SSDI ) we've already proven that we are unable to do any kind of substantial work. As there are some conditions that do improve it's wise for the gov't to do the reviews. For the OP though, I know it's stressful to get a review letter but in most cases, SSDI continues as long as your condition is unchanged.---Kathy

 

[barkley]

I am someone who was approved on the first try and I am someone who now works full time and STILL gets SSDI. I have passed every review. The reason for this is the IRWE program which is "impairment related work expenses". Because I have to pay for a caregiver and medical supplies that aren't covered by insurance plus service dog expenses to be able to work the government takes that into account when looking at my income, which then becomes under the "substantial gainful amount". I am also able to keep Medicare although it became secondary under my employer's insurance and every year I get more in SSDI due to them counting what I've paid into SS during the year. I do know only one person whose SSDI was revoked and he fought it tooth and nail to no avail. He had a back and foot injury and used a manual w/c part time because he couldn't stand and walk for long periods. The government decided he could do some type of work, so he was cut off. For most people though, by the time we've passed the first review as adults ( children get SSI very easily compared to adults getting SSDI ) we've already proven that we are unable to do any kind of substantial work. As there are some conditions that do improve it's wise for the gov't to do the reviews. For the OP though, I know it's stressful to get a review letter but in most cases, SSDI continues as long as your condition is unchanged.---Kathy

i hope your employer is at least giving you a break on any employee contribution towards your health insurance if you've got medicare. if not you might want to talk to them about doing so-it's common for retirees who get medicare through disability or regular retirement but still get regular insurance through an employer to get a reduced rate so if they are'nt doing it for you now it might be something it is possible for them to do.

 

[blondietink]

My DS got approved for DAC benefits (disabled adult child) in May of this year, with condition not expected to improve, even though I have no officcial paperwork on it. Anyway, SS tried to cut him off in July because they claimed he was no longer a full time student. So, I had to get the student paperwork filled out at school because he is still full-time and then they continued to send him checks. I asked at the time about his DAC application and they told me they had not yet received a determination. So, I got tired of waiting and a few weeks ago called the office that makes the disability determinations in our state. I was told they approved him in May on the 1st review, only 2 months after the original application. So, I called my local SS office and asked them what's up? Why did I have to have the school sign that he was a full-time student in July to continue SS benefits from my DH's retirement when he was approved for DAC benefits in May? They looked it up in the computer and sure enough, the DAC approval is in it. Should get an approval letter via mail in the next few days. I am still waiting! I need tha DAC letter to get additional benefits for my DS so I don't have to fill out all kinds of paperwork at the county and also to get him started on his 2 year wait for Medicare benefits. It is all so frustrating. Here I was blaming the disaiblity determinations office for holding up his approval and it is really some computer error somewhere in cyberspace holding things up.

My other son has to go through a DAC application in a year and a half and I am dreading it. I probably won't have this thing with my other DS straigntened up by then!