Help

At first glance it would appear to be relatively easy to win.

Everyone has had a headache that wiped them out and made them sick to their stomach.

Working with headache is not pleasant.

The problem is that many Social Security Judges want objective proof of the problem and its severity.

Just testifying that you have ongoing headaches with severe side effects is not enough.

You will need to treat with a neurologist who diagnoses you with a certain type of headache after some testing.

It would be helpful if the neurologist is willing to provide a statement that your headaches are consistent with your condition and it is reasonable to expect that they will make it difficult for you to perform activities of daily living for extended times for at least several days a month.

You will also have to show that you take the headache medicines and that they do not stop the headaches.

Some Judges will want to see some emergency room visits with strong pain medication treatment.

Testimony of people who observe you having multiple headaches and being wiped out would also be helpful.

The key questions is how do your headaches limit your ability to function, concentrate and perform productively throughout the day.

The fact that you have diabetes will not guarantee you are approved for disability.

Some people’s medications control their condition and they can work without much problem.

The real question is if your diabetes limits your functioning and keeps you from working.

For instance, some people have had to have toes or feet amputated.

Some people with diabetes have neuropathy that causes numbness, tingling and pain in their feet and hands.

Others have serious issues with passing out or lapsing into diabetic comas.

Diabetes that causes blindness will certainly result in Social Security Disability.

If you have diabetes that limits your standing, walking, lifting, or handling and fingering, then you have a good chance of winning your disability case.

Often your doctor will have testing done to confirm that you have neuropathy, and the levels of your diabetes.

Make sure you are taking your diabetes medications as directed.

I have seen some Social Security Judges who will deny people because they do not take their medications as directed.

The most important thing for your case is to make sure you go to the doctor and tell her all the problems that your diabetes causes you.

They do not want you to do it that way any more.

The new way is to apply for disability online.

Social Security says that it is easier online.

For them it is easier most likely.

For most people it is frustrating because they do not have the experience of going through the questions repeatedly.

The online application for disability is in 2 parts.

The first part deals with your background information such as date of birth, marriages ten years or longer, minor children, and disabled children.

The second part deals with conditions, medications, hospitals you have visited, doctors you treat with.

You will need addresses, telephone numbers, approximate dates you first visited each doctor and dates of your latest visits.

Social Security wants to know your past work history for the last 15 years.

This includes employers, addresses, job duties, and amounts you have been paid in the last 2 years.

The idea is that Social Security will gather your medical records and send them off to Springfield, Illinois for review.

The review takes about 3 months.

Social Security will usually call you within a week after you file online to confirm your information.

They also want you to appeal online if you have been denied.

The only type cases that do not allow an online application at this time are SSI adult and children’s cases, and cases when you are receiving retirement and you want to file for disability also.