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I've been waiting nearly 7 months now and it's getting ridiculous at this stage! I've no money whatsoever I'm living off my parents!
And what if I don't get disability allowance?? They've left me waiting 7 months broke for me to not receive any payment :( can't be fair !!!

June 26, 2016
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Answer Summary

Members rallied around someone frustrated by a seven-month wait for disability approval, sharing practical strategies including contacting a... Read more

Members rallied around someone frustrated by a seven-month wait for disability approval, sharing practical strategies including contacting a local senator or representative to expedite the process, calling the appeals council directly to check status, and considering services like Allsup to handle the legwork instead of hiring a lawyer upfront. Several members emphasized the value of a Functional Capacity Assessment conducted by an occupational therapist, which objectively documents what tasks someone can and cannot do through hands-on testing rather than relying solely on medical records, with one member crediting this assessment for their quick approval. A recurring theme was the emotional toll of waiting months without income while managing debilitating symptoms, the importance of having a supportive primary care doctor who documents limitations thoroughly, and the shared frustration that proving chronic pain and fibromyalgia often feels like an uphill battle in a system that isn't designed to be fair.

A MyFibroTeam Member

I went through Allsup. They do all the leg work themselves (getting reports, making sure Social Security received everything) where lawyers expect you to keep following up. I could have done it myself but I didn't have the energy to put into it. I would recommend Allsup before going to a lawyer. They were very helpful and they called Social Security about every 2 weeks and let me know what was said.

June 30, 2016
A MyFibroTeam Member

I think ill be ok to do it alone

June 29, 2016
A MyFibroTeam Member

Yeah that would me too. I know about that breaking into a sweat deal. At my last job I had to stand at the copier making copies of tax returns to be picked up, after 10 minutes at the most I would be breaking out in a sweat and it was because of pain, I wouldn't be hot. My trimmers will probably make the peg test a little hard. I have also started having muscle twitches at random. We had a run off election yesterday and when I was signing in to vote my arm jerked and my last y ended up with a half inch or longer tail on it. So the next 4 people to sign in had my name dropping into their boxes. I cannot button a whole shirt any longer, so all mine are pull over. Zippers are becoming a problem too.
I know my state has a tendency to send people to their own doctor or evaluation so maybe I will get to do these tests too. I would probably need to tell the OT to stand back if he hands me a screw driver. I'm more likely to have a muscle twitch and throw the screw driver than I am to get any screws tightened.
I was having a hard time sitting at a desk before I had to take a leave from work. I prefer my setup at home, laptop and recliner. And I have yet to find that in any job description lol.

June 29, 2016
A MyFibroTeam Member

It's for any reason you have problems. I actually did testing such as tightening screws, putting pegs in a board, following instructions, lifting, carrying things.

When you go to court there is a Rehabilitation Counselor (not sure if this is the exact title) present and they tell the job what jobs you are able to do. They base this on your records. This assessment gives the same information but it is based on actually having you do different tasks...it is more objective than someone filling a form based on their opinion.

Social Security was going to deny me until they got this report. I was so happy I got approved the first time.

June 27, 2016
A MyFibroTeam Member

Yes, call your local senator or representative. Or go to their .gov website and find the link for government agency help. I contacted mine and now I have a phone number and specific person to call to give updates on my conditions (they want me to see a pain specialist, get a new breathing test and see a therapist) and mine is only 4 months old. Once a congressman asks for information it will light a fire. I have appointments for all but the pain specialist so far, in the next few weeks. I plan to call my GP tomorrow and find out the hold up on the pain doctor. I have high hopes that by the time my 5 months waiting period ends I will have a verdict.
Good luck with it.

June 26, 2016

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