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From: Terry.Norris@p0.f7.n3803.z1.fidonet.org (Terry Norris)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: DISABILITY
Message-ID: <19242@bunker.isc-br.com>
Date: 9 May 91 13:20:25 GMT
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 BS> Is this a normal thing with these people? I call and all they
 BS> will tell me is that my "claim is being processed....and they
 BS> can't say when it will be complete" We are rapidly approaching
 BS> 5 months. .
 BS> Any help? Advice? Sympathy? Hope?

Sometimes gaining disability is a long and drawn out process.  It took me
over three years to finally start getting beneifts, and even at that there
is another years wait before I can start to utilize the medical benefits
allowable.

Expect your first petition to be denied, as it seems like it is almost
automatic, but you have the right to appeal their decision, and I would
encourage you to excercise that right....repeatedly.  Appeal not only the
initial denial, but the appeals as well(if they too are denials).  After
the third appeal on the same filing, it is turned over to the courts, and
a judge will review the situation instead of the normal Social Security
review system.

After being denied for several years, a Soc.Sec. person told me to do it
this way, and when I did, was awarded benefits.  I am to be reviewed annually,
and have not been able to use the medical benefits as of yet, but at least
they help out a little with the monthly cost of living.

Wish you the best of luck

--
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