social security disability application

[redbird]

I got a call a few days ago from someone at the Social Security "disability determination" office, following up on forms they'd sent me and not gotten back. They hadn't gotten the forms back because, even though I gave them a change of address last summer, they sent everything to our old address in Belmont. I told them that yes, I am still interested in pursuing this claim, please send the forms to my current address. This was all reasonable, but still not a cheerful conversation.

Two envelopes arrived in yesterday's mail. One of them asks me about my work history, which they also seem to have lost, in this case after I submitted it online.

The other envelope contained a multi-page form with lots of questions about what I can and cannot do. This is not going to be a cheerful process, and I have to send everything back by February 4th. I think we will take this to the post office and hand it over the counter, rather than risk someone breaking into a mailbox.

Also, everything has to be printed or typed using black or dark-blue ink. That effectively means it all has to be hand-written, because we no longer have a typewriter, and neither do many other private homes.

So far, I have answered the utterly straightforward factual questions on the first page, namely my social security number and daytime phone number. (They have both of those, too.) But doing that little bit means I have started on the process, which may make it easier to do more tomorrow.

Comments

[otter]

That process is so invasive and can be so triggering. I've been trying to resolve an issue for Mouse regarding SSI since October. I've gotten hold of someone 3 times, and each time they have said they will follow up. And each time they have not. I hope all goes well for you and they process things correctly and in a timely fashion this time around.

[boxofdelights]

Ugh, the time tax. Plus, "Oh, you can't walk? Yes, help is available, just as soon as you navigate this obstacle course and jump over all these hurdles. You did that already? I'm sorry, the window for that attempt expired, you'll have to start over from the beginning."

I send strength to your arm.

[alexseanchai]

Ah, so I would have to have someone else fill out such forms for me, or else never fill them in at all. What a cleverly mundane way of reducing the number of such forms they have to process.

[redbird]

There's a space on the last page for "who filled this form out, if not the applicant," so if you had a housemate or friend who could do it for you, that would work. In fact, I think I did some of that for Adrian's disability claim, years ago.

[bibliofile]

You may be able to get help from your local aging & disability resource center. I'd never have finished my applications with their help. To supplement the help from A & A, at least.

[mrissa]

I don't know if your library has a typewriter for local use, but if writing by hand is physically hard for you (or someone else reading this) for various reasons, it might be worth finding out. Some still do for exactly this kind of form.

[athenais]

Oh my god forms and bureaucracy! Wishing you a quick turnaround once they get your details.

[vass]

Ugh, why is every country's social security programs like this?

[tarasacon]

it’s an icky process. sending good thoughts. I hope you are able to reward yourself in some way for each section done.