I have: Heart disease, out-of-control hypertension and diabetes, p.a.d., edema, hearing loss, etc., etc. and have been turned down flat three times.
You need to allege back pain and depression. The law requires consideration of subjective complaints. So, if someone alleges disabling pain and depression, they have a better chance, even if all of the objective documentation isn’t there. This is especially true when a denial is appealed to the hearing level and goes before an Administrative Law Judge.
SSI? If you have more than $2000 cash in the bank, you don’t qualify.
The most you get under federal law is $800 a month which doesn’t go very far.
Step 1. Have heart attack or bout of Pulmonary Edema that puts you in the hospital.
Step 2. Do not return to work, I repeat, do not return to work.
Step 3. File for State Disability. One year is almost a gimmie, particularly in blue states.
Step 4. While on State Disability, get a lawyer and file for SSDI, not SSI but SSDI. They are different. The lawyer fee is set by SS, so dont’ sweat it, just get one of those guys that specialize in SS.
Step 5. Save money. SS will take months to complete but they’ll back pay you to the date of filing.
Step 6. Pay the state back the disability insurance they’ve paid that overlaps with SSDI when approved. The lawyer’s fee will be deducted from your Lump Sum back payment from SS.
You’ll die before your cardiologist and doctor recommend SSD. Push the issue with the lawyers. All you need are medically certified conditions, you dont’ need *your* doctors, cardiologist approval, just the list of conditions.
For CHF people, know your Ejection fraction. SSDI is like a gimmie when you’re below 28%.
My step Dad had heart disease, doctors said caused by 20 + years flying which included missions spanning Korea thru Cambodia. Great guy..sense of humor and Southern sarcasm. They gave him grief, denied his disability up until about 2 years before he passed away. The stress on him due to his inability to work and support himself definitely shortened his life. To add insult to injury they changed the terms of retirement AFTER he was already retired...which then excluded his spouse from receiving benefits. So my Mom lives on a very small social security allowance and I watch as freeloaders live large off of what should have compensated both of them for his service to this country.