Answer Summary

Members shared mixed experiences and advice about applying for disability in Virginia, with most agreeing that while an attorney is not... Read more

Members shared mixed experiences and advice about applying for disability in Virginia, with most agreeing that while an attorney is not required, having one greatly improves the chances of success, especially after initial denials. Several members described the typical process: being denied one or two times before hiring a lawyer for the appeals stage, with wait times ranging from as quick as three months to over four years, and emphasized the importance of being out of work for 12 months and having all medical documentation organized before applying. A recurring theme was the frustration with the slow, bureaucratic system and the feeling that it preys on sick people, balanced by encouragement to persist because the back pay and monthly benefits are worth the difficult wait.