I have a dear friend who was on SSDI for a number of years. Her medical issues were eventually stabilized enough for her to return to work FT. She had to give up her SSDI when she was hired.
If her issues go sideways her workplace must make accommodations for her under the ADA rules.
The only way – as I understand it – for her to go back on SSDI is if her medical issues suddenly go south and she can no longer work. Because she was on it before, her waiting period would probably be shorter than somebody applying for the first time.
To reiterate, this is not correct. Their fees are a set amount, specified by law. There is no incentive for them to drag things out.
DavidM when you are ready to try going back to work, you can work with the attorney at that time. There is a trial period, before the SSDI is stopped, to see if you can really handle it or not. In some cases, you can also do some work (part-time) and keep the SSDI, but the attorney will need to advise you on that piece.
In addition, once you are on SSDI you will qualify for medicare. There is a waiting period, but you will qualify.
The best way to find an SSDI attorney is to network. Perhaps the attorneys you are talking to regarding the surgeon can make a recommendation for a good firm. I found mine through family connections.
For Social Security disability lawyers, the fee is limited to 25% of the past-due benefits you are awarded, up to a maximum of $6,000. Note that the attorney will be paid only out of your past-due benefits, or “backpay.” If no back-dated benefits are awarded, the attorney will not receive a fee. How Much Do Social Security Disability Lawyers Charge in Fees? | DisabilitySecrets
How exactly do you think “back-pay” accumulates? The lawyer has a desk calendar that tells him exactly, what day the $6,000 mark is hit, and he schedules the court appearance for that day. If the lawyer isn’t smart enough to figure that out, I’m not sure I want him as a lawyer.
$6,000 is not a bad fee for just re-filing what the client has already filed, which has been rejected.
The link you posted, jtur88, appears to be from a lawyer’s group, not from the government. I think getting information from a SSDI site might be more accurate.
This link is the lawyers themselves actually admitting that the fee varies according to how much back-pay accumulates prior to judgment. But OK, I’ll read the “more accurate” information from any cite you offer.
OP, I think you need to check out SSA’s explanation of SSDI eligibility. I’ve only read this thread, but I do not think you would be successful in an application based on the requirements. SSDI has a very stringent definition of disability, and it is based on your condition, your age, your work history, available employment generally, and your education.
I’m an unemployed alcoholic with a cirrhotic liver. I applied for Medicaid the day I went into the hospital in early March of 2017, and it retroactively covered all my medical bills. Look for a Medicaid/patient advocate in your local hospital, especially given what you’ve been through, stinking of malfeasance as it was (is).
From everything I hear, it’s nearly impossible to get SSDI the first time around no matter how good a case you can make. I would think that at least an initial consult with a disability lawyer would be a worthwhile investment, even if you don’t have the lawyer involved otherwise.
I don’t know what your employment situation was like before everything went to hell on you. Do you have any disability coverage through your job? If so, that’ll need to be coordinated - most LTD coverage winds up coordinating with SSDI at some point.