Friend's mom denied disability in Indiana

[rubix]

My friend has a mother who is very sick and has had Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for many years now. For 5 years the mother has not been able to work. For 3 years she has not been able to drive. Over the last 5 years she has been denied disability twice, and just got denied a third time and it took the courts 7 months to decide that (they take forever). I don't know the reason for why they are denying her the disability other than I was told "they think she is lying." [I need to get more info on this]

The mother's life has been so ruined that she is losing her mind. She tried to commit suicide last week by swallowing a ton pills, but lived, and has now been diagnosed with having the worst type of depression there is: Hypomania Type III Bipolar Disorder.

Everything about her as a person has changed. She has seizures, needs a cane, and is in constant pain all the time. She is going to die if this continues and her life is being destroyed and no one will help her and the courts keep denying her disability.

The mother and daughter (my friend) have no money. The daughter is 14k in debt. They have what I assume is a free court appointed attorney of some sort, but he doesn't seem to care and has not been doing a very good job it seems.

So can anyone help? Like really help and get things moving and get things done? Are there any Indiana lawyers here or someone who knows one that can help? Or people with contacts that can help?

I feel really helpless and so does my friend and it is affecting her horribly, obviously.

Cliff Notes:
1. Friend's mother denied disability 3 times over 5 years for MS.
2. Tried to commit suicide/is bipolar now.
3. She's slipping through cracks/no one cares.
4. Need help/have no money.
5. Already has a lawyer for many years.

 

[BabaBooey]

S.S.I. lawyer ?

 

[Mardeth]

I have a feeling you or they are leaving something out. How can you lie about MS?

 

[imported_Baloo]

My sister went thru the same thing, only she was granted disability the second time around. My sister was lying. She finally stopped the lying and went back to work, though she's not admitted to the lying yet. She's working 40 hours a week, and doesn't seem to have any symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis any more.

 

[rubix]

bababooey: I assume the lawyer they have is a S.S.I. lawyer. I don't know really.

Mardeth: Everything I typed is bascially what she wrote to me in a letter. This is all I know right now.

 

[XZeroII]

Definitely find a lawyer that works on contingency. They are out there. Basically, they get no money unless you win so there is no real risk. Find a good one and file a case.

I'm not certain how she could lose a disability claim over and over unless her doctors are not very good. The mother should consider looking for a doctor who will support her a bit more.

This is all, of course, assuming that the mother is not faking. I find it hard to believe that doctors would not stand up for a person who was truly in need if it's as bad as you say. There could even be malpractice suits that could be filed if she is really sick.

Good luck.

 

[ScottyB]

Write to your congressman and senator. My mom was having trouble getting her disability, and she wrote to our congressman and he got my mom her disability within two weeks.

 

[rubix]

ScottB: Thanks, that is encouraging! I am gathering up some of that info now.

 

[wwswimming]

Binder & Binder is the name of a firm in California that specializes in
helping people get through the disability process. they might have an
office nearby with JD's that are licensed in Indiana.

 

[x-alki]

Try here. All kinds of resources.

 

[funboy6942]

I am going through the same thing but I have Spinal Bifida and Fibromyalgia, all know to the feds as a perm disability, supposedly should be covered and get ssi, along with a bunch of other problems added onto what I have as well. I was just turned down for the 2nd time, and have made an appeal, and got a lawyer lined up. They do this in hopes you will give up. After you have appealed you MUST get a lawyer NO MATTER WHAT. You just cannot win it on your own no matter how hard you try. Writing to the news, or congressman may be of some help, but wont be much. Also this is going to tkae up to 5 years before she will be able to get on it even with lawyer. The only good news I can give you on that, if it is even good news, is that once the lawyer does get you on ssi, you will be given a big old fatty check for all the time it took from when you first applied to the point you finally got on it.

Meaning if yyou were to get say $1600 a month, then they will be back paying you the $1600 a month for say 3 years all in one lump sum, and thats what they lawyer is going to take his cut out of, but unlike regular law, will only be allowed to take something like 20-22% of it.

It sucks, I know, I went through 5 years of hell myself having to wait to re-apply from the first time because of the settlement I got from my initial injury, and now I will have to wait another 2+ years to get on it. I have to wit now for them to turn down my motion for appeal, and then my lawyer will take over.

But I was in your shoes being broke, still am not as bad for I took my settlement and paid everyone and everything off including my house, so we can afford to wait for them to be jack asses. I wish I can be of more help for you now so that you can afford to wait it out, but that is something your all going to have to sit down and figure out is exactly what it is you can do now to lower all bill and wait it out, even if it means moving into a trailer to make ends meet, I had to do that. Also sign up for welfare and food stamps if you havent already done that. Dont feel ashamed in applying for all the assistance you can. At first it sucks to have to sit in the waiting room, and be there, and makes you feel really small, but its best you do so that you can eat, and get some bills paid then become homeless and on the street or you mom goes through with killing herself and you lose her forever.

Just take it one day at a time, do what you need to do for now to make ends meet, and once you can get on ssi in a few years, and go back to sorta having a normal live again, but you got to be strong and stick with it, and dont take no for a answer! But first things first get the lawyer, wont cost you a dime till you get on ssi for him to get what you are entitled to, but its kinda the way the government does it to ween out the ones who are trying to screw over the gov, and then so they dont have to pay out right away to those who really need it now. It sucks but you have to play ball and start with position a, and go from there. Just tell your mom to hang in there, it sucks balls now, but there will be light at the end of the tunnel, and that you need her around more then ever to make it happen, and get to spend much more good quality time with her after. Just dont give up, its what they want you to do so dont give up and give them what they hope you will do. It makes no difference to them her health or if she knocks herself off, its their bottom line is all they care about, dont show them you dont care about your person as well!

I just saw your a friend of the mothers friend, just reword what I wrote to reflect it, and let them see what I wrote.

 

[BoomerD]

There are law firms that specialize in this field. They should find one in their area.
http://www.indianadisabilitylawyers.com/

I'm not sure about the percentage permitted in these cases, but it's on a contingency basis, with rates set by law.

 

[waggy]

with trying for SSDI its a pain.

i hope after she was denied she did not re-apply but instead appealed?

with SSDI nearly every gets denied the first time. you then appeal that and get denied. AT this point you can FINALLY get a lawyer! GET ONE!

i think the law is %25 or $5900 whichever is less.

After your 2nd denial you go to "court". this is when you really need all the paperwork and lawyer. MOst people who deserve it get it at this point (usualy 3-5 years after they start). but a good amount still get denied. wich then ypu apeal the judges decision.

 

[Gothgar]

yeah, someone who really needs it doesn't get it, but fucking illegal assholes get it, fuck our welfare/disability system, it is totally beyond repair, needs to be dissolved completely and rebuilt from the ground.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: Gothgar
yeah, someone who really needs it doesn't get it, but fucking illegal assholes get it, fuck our welfare/disability system, it is totally beyond repair, needs to be dissolved completely and rebuilt from the ground.

good part is they are trying to speed it up and weed out those that don't deserve it.

so many trying to get SSDI who should be working and healhty enough to work is what is makeing it take so long.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: Gothgar
yeah, someone who really needs it doesn't get it, but fucking illegal assholes get it, fuck our welfare/disability system, it is totally beyond repair, needs to be dissolved completely and rebuilt from the ground.

Please remind me how illegal immigrants get welfare.

 

[JS80]

can you imagine if we ever get universal healthcare and we get 4 threads a day saying how they were denied medical treatment because some bureaucrat in the government stamped "no"?

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: JS80
can you imagine if we ever get universal healthcare and we get 4 threads a day saying how they were denied medical treatment because some bureaucrat in the government stamped "no"?

As compared to the people who are denied medical treatment because some bean-counter decided it was too expensive/not a justifiable expense for a person of advanced age?

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: JS80
can you imagine if we ever get universal healthcare and we get 4 threads a day saying how they were denied medical treatment because some bureaucrat in the government stamped "no"?

As compared to the people who are denied medical treatment because some bean-counter decided it was too expensive/not a justifiable expense for a person of advanced age?

Yes, under UHC that person dies because private healthcare will be banned, whereas now they can pay out of pocket for treatment.

By bringing up the insurance example you are proving my point. UHC is like an extremely inefficient insurance company.

 

[rise]

Originally posted by: bababooey
S.S.I. lawyer.

also, calls to your state reps, senators...

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: rise

Originally posted by: bababooey
S.S.I. lawyer.

also, calls to your state reps, senators...

they won't help unless its a extreme case. Also not much they can legally do.

 

[BoomerD]

Wow...you've been listening to Rush again, haven't you? Always with the worst possible scenario scare tactics.

I've never heard or read anything plausible that suggests that people wouldn't be able to pay for healthcare out of pocket if they so chose.

BTW, what UHC manual are you reading this from, since there is NO SUCH THING as UHC in the USA yet.

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Wow...you've been listening to Rush again, haven't you? Always with the worst possible scenario scare tactics.

I've never heard or read anything plausible that suggests that people wouldn't be able to pay for healthcare out of pocket if they so chose.

BTW, what UHC manual are you reading this from, since there is NO SUCH THING as UHC in the USA yet.

bECAUSE OF MY HEALTH i CANNOT GET any LIFE INSURANCE AT ALL NO MATTER THE COST, AND IF i WAS ABLE TO GET A COMPANY TO INSURE ME FOR HEALTH, IT WOULD COST MORE THEN MY WIFE MAKES JUST FOR THE INSURANCE, NOT INCLUDING THE PRICE OF THE PILLS i NEED TO TAKE DAILY.
Opps sorry for the caps, but in no way can we, or can we afford to go and pay for health insurance on me, or my family out of pocket even if we had to chose.

Insurance companies just dont dish out insurance to everyone who wants it, you now need to fit under a special ruel, and they have the right them self to not even give it to you, especially if you may be over weight, or in my case, have so much wrong with you, they wont even touch, or talk to you about it, just tell you, you cannot be insured.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: funboy42

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Wow...you've been listening to Rush again, haven't you? Always with the worst possible scenario scare tactics.

I've never heard or read anything plausible that suggests that people wouldn't be able to pay for healthcare out of pocket if they so chose.

BTW, what UHC manual are you reading this from, since there is NO SUCH THING as UHC in the USA yet.

bECAUSE OF MY HEALTH i CANNOT GET any LIFE INSURANCE AT ALL NO MATTER THE COST, AND IF i WAS ABLE TO GET A COMPANY TO INSURE ME FOR HEALTH, IT WOULD COST MORE THEN MY WIFE MAKES JUST FOR THE INSURANCE, NOT INCLUDING THE PRICE OF THE PILLS i NEED TO TAKE DAILY.
Opps sorry for the caps, but in no way can we, or can we afford to go and pay for health insurance on me, or my family out of pocket even if we had to chose.

Insurance companies just dont dish out insurance to everyone who wants it, you now need to fit under a special ruel, and they have the right them self to not even give it to you, especially if you may be over weight, or in my case, have so much wrong with you, they wont even touch, or talk to you about it, just tell you, you cannot be insured.

I don't know why the hell you're yelling at me, I'm on YOUR side! Insurance is one of the biggest rackets going. It's just another form of gambling, and they fudge all the odds so they're in their favor. However, if you happen to "hit the jackpot" and "win," then they further skew the odds by banning you from the game!

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Wow...you've been listening to Rush again, haven't you? Always with the worst possible scenario scare tactics.

I've never heard or read anything plausible that suggests that people wouldn't be able to pay for healthcare out of pocket if they so chose.

BTW, what UHC manual are you reading this from, since there is NO SUCH THING as UHC in the USA yet.

What I described are typical of Canada, UK systems. And those countries don't have illegal mexicans and urban unemployed welfare recipients with 5 kids. Imagine US UHC. Yea it works in Scandinavia because everyone is white and makes $40k, but the US is way to diversified.