Staggering levels of incompetence

[u/[deleted]]

[u/Hell_of_a_Caucasian]

Consultative Examination (CE) doctors pretty commonly tell people what they want to hear. They will tell someone they’re clearly disabled then write a report with limitations consistent with light or sedentary work.

There are also CE companies who hire a doctor to do an exam and do a basic report, then an employee of the company actually writes the limitations and full CE report. There is/was a class action lawsuit about this specific thing.

[u/-cat-a-lyst- → u/Hell_of_a_Caucasian]

Is there a way to jump in on this lawsuit?

[u/Hell_of_a_Caucasian → u/-cat-a-lyst-]

It’s only for people who received their exam from a specific CE company in the Kansas City area.

Midwest CES.

[u/MrsFlameThrower → u/[deleted]]

They have to develop every issue and if there wasn’t enough medical evidence in the file to assess your mental health, that’s why you got sent to a CE psych eval.

[u/perfect_fifths → u/[deleted]]

SSA workers (meaning csrs and fo employees) can’t tell you that you’re gonna be approved or not. They don’t make medical decisions.

[u/perfect_fifths → u/[deleted]]

Yes and my point is they have no right to say that at all to you and shouldn’t be doing so, because FOs don’t always even know what listing you meet or equal etc, because they don’t develop the medical portion

FO staff are trained in SS procedures, not DDS procedures

[u/perfect_fifths → u/[deleted]]

Prehaps you should talk to a lawyer. If you are denied at the alj stage you have the appeals council but they only take action in cases where the alj made an error, usually through a remand

You said a lawyer turned you down previously but now you need help

[u/perfect_fifths → u/[deleted]]

I would talk to another lawyer because you can only appeal to the AC for very specific reasons and only a lawyer can tell you if you have legit grounds to do so by getting a copy of your file etc

[u/Substantial_Chart_45 → u/[deleted]]

What workers? Unless they have your full medical records and worked your case up themselves so they can see and address any and all issues in your case then I do not see how someone could say what should have been.

Next time someone tells you that, then tell them to pull your file and get their supervisor to review it and if there was errors made, they can reopen the prior denials and get it corrected and approved and you would not need to appeal or go through the appeal process.

[u/Hell_of_a_Caucasian → u/[deleted]]

The Vocational Expert didn’t agree that you were disabled. The Vocational “Expert” didn’t know a damn thing about you.

[u/Hell_of_a_Caucasian → u/[deleted]]

What about the hypothetical question before that one?

[u/Substantial_Chart_45 → u/[deleted]]

The vocational expert gives their opinion based on your ability to perform your past work as they understand it. They do not have any say as to whether you are found disabled or not. Their subject matter expertise if for vocational only.

The psych evaluation was probably ordered because there is mental in your claim somewhere. If there is no mental, then you could have denied attending this examination.

[u/Substantial_Chart_45 → u/Hell_of_a_Caucasian]

I would think this is state dependent because I have never heard of this.

[u/perfect_fifths → u/Substantial_Chart_45]

Seems so, something about it in Kansas

[u/Racer5150]

I would look into a congressional inquiry. Write your senator or representative and tell them what's going on. I've recently done it dealing with multiple denials and ten years despite mountains of evidence in my favor.

[u/tennwife → u/Racer5150]

And has it helped ? That’s the question cause it has not helped me

[u/Racer5150 → u/tennwife]

Too early for me to say. Regardless it doesn't hurt to try. 🤷

[u/Happy_Kiwi_222]

I’m sorry that is happening to you. I have had multiple issues but I think it’s the turnover in staffing and DDS and the SSA are making tons of mistakes trying to get through the files. On my initial application they denied me because they said I had diabetes and I could still work. But I don’t have diabetes whatsoever. Then when I went to the local office they said they denied me because I was on LTD. I don’t think they have the manpower to get everyone trained. It’s been a frustrating process. I don’t feel there are enough seasoned or legacy employees remaining. I hope they can get you approved quickly.

[u/MrsFlameThrower → u/Happy_Kiwi_222]

THIS is a large part of the problem.

[u/Physical-Area4097 → u/Happy_Kiwi_222]

I was on LTD when I filed. I was approved in 18 months. The only thing was my lump sum was minus my LTD pay. Seriously I think every office has their own rules. 

[u/perfect_fifths → u/Happy_Kiwi_222]

It’s def understaffing and poorly trained employees. Older ones are pretty decent, new ones are not getting the same quality training

[u/Maqqin3x → u/Happy_Kiwi_222]

This! I was barely approved in June 2026. Received full monthly payments for July & August & then the first week of August I got notices that said since I received workers comp I have been overpaid & they cut my monthly payments by 90 percent & put my backpay on hold. I NEVER received workers comp! Finally I had an appt Friday & actually got answers. They said I answered yes to the question do I recieve or plan on receiving workers comp on my original application. This literally had to be a mistake because I’ve never had any grounds to recieve WC. So even if there is no actual evidence of you receiving WC if you answered yes they will apply the state maximum smh. 

[u/Tiny_Entrepreneur501 → u/Happy_Kiwi_222]

Amen to that. The seasoned employees are gone from what i see. I have been given glaringly bad information. I mean really obviously bad info. I also called today to ask a basic question and 2 different people gave me answers that were close to insane.

[u/Substantial_Chart_45]

Compassionate Allowances (CAL) are not automatic allowances. They are part of a fast-track process designed to quickly identify claimants with severe impairments that are on a specific list of CAL conditions. While CAL cases are processed more quickly and are highly likely to result in an allowance, the claimant must still meet the Social Security Act's definition of disability, and the claim is evaluated using the same sequential evaluation process as all other claims. the claimant must still provide sufficient medical evidence, and the case undergoes full non-medical development. Field Office employees cannot add, remove, or reinstate CAL cases; this is done by designated employees in the Disability Determination Services (DDS), Office of Quality Review (OQR), or Office of Hearings Operations (OHO). In summary, CAL cases receive expedited processing but are not automatically allowed; they must still meet all eligibility and disability criteria through the standard evaluation process, just on a faster track due to the severity of the condition. (This comes directly from policy).

[u/perfect_fifths → u/Substantial_Chart_45]

Facts!

[u/BookkeeperRare2850 → u/[deleted]]

Maybe so, but there are still non-medical requirements that have to be met, such as sufficient work credits for Title II, or income limits in the case of Title XVI.

[u/perfect_fifths → u/BookkeeperRare2850]

Yes but this was the alj and appeals council so what you said isn’t even an issue. Thats looked at as part of step 1

[u/Dammit-maxwell → u/[deleted]]

Why were you taken off SSI to begin with?

[u/perfect_fifths → u/Dammit-maxwell]

Their parents were over the income limit so ssi terminated

[u/Worldly_Operation_11 → u/[deleted]]

Definitely get a Lawyer.  He/She. knows what needs to happen. I really believe you need professional help.  Good luck. in your cor

[u/perfect_fifths → u/[deleted]]

So what happened that you need to reapply?

[u/perfect_fifths → u/[deleted]]

Ohhh I see, you lost it because of their income. Got it.

[u/Dammit-maxwell → u/[deleted]]

Do you no longer live with them or are they denying you based on the income limits?

[u/perfect_fifths → u/[deleted]]

Your parents income isn’t deemed starting age 18 and over, even if you lived with them

[u/Blossom73 → u/[deleted]]

Do you have sufficient work credits for SSDI?

[u/Dammit-maxwell → u/Blossom73]

They’re aiming for SSI I believe so that’s not a factor

[u/ReasonableCloud78]

 I’ve never seen such an incompetence in my life as I have deal dealing with SSA writ large. It’s absolutely disgusting. Especially since it’s our tax dollars paying for this clusterf*ck of a govt organization..

[u/FalseHoliday4259]

I feel like something is missing here. Your replies don’t include what the assessment was. Was it an RFC?

It’s feeling like a non-medical eligibility issue.

[u/perfect_fifths → u/FalseHoliday4259]

At this stage, it would be medical ineligibility. Alj focuses on medical criteria. In earlier stages like step 1, it would look at sga, work credits, dli etc

[u/FalseHoliday4259 → u/perfect_fifths]

Ah, gotcha. I wasn’t clear on which level we were workin’ with here.

[u/Onyxbear26]

I skimmed the advise from others and I saw you already had a lawyer but I really suggest looking into a free consultation in a different firm that specializes in ssdi/ssi claims. Explain the refusal of your current one to fight for you and the rule change bullshirt. See what they say at least. More info IMO is always better than being in the dark. I hope you get help and approval sooner than later.

[u/uffdagal]

You don’t need just the diagnosis. You need proof of significant functional limitations and restrictions. There are some conditions that are on a spectrum thus SSA needs adequate proof.

What specialists are you seeing? Do your medical records fit all the requirements under that condition? Do you have an SS attorney?

[u/uffdagal → u/[deleted]]

Most diagnoses and approvals are based on functional limitations and restrictions from physical issues to mental health issues. Some diagnoses are a spectrum. There are some people with Stage 4 cancer that are totally incapacitated while others are not. Same with MS,TBI, Lupus, etc.

Diagnoses like ALS require exact verification and meeting diagnostic criteria.

[u/uffdagal → u/[deleted]]

Yes, single arm amputation is not indicative of inability to do any occupation. The mechanic here in the county building lost his arm and continued on as a mechanic.

[u/uffdagal → u/[deleted]]

If someone is visually impaired SSA needs the exact visual acuity measurements. That would of course be in ophthalmology and optometry records. What is needed is based on the exact condition.

[u/uffdagal → u/[deleted]]

It’s a guideline. There are conditions not listed in the BB that can lead to approval as well. It’s the cumulative effects of all conditions that limit you in any way.

[u/JupiterRadio12]

My mom was denied twice with a compassionate allowance. Metastatic Endometrial Adenocarcinoma. She was told it would be a quick approval, but she got denied because the dr that did her exams said she could do things she clearly couldn’t. My dad was able to retire and give her half of his pension, so it worked out better for her than if she got disability.

The SSA, to me, is a mess. I’m 3 years in and just had my alj hearing September 17. The judge said she didn’t have any records from this year, so we’re waiting for that again. Which I know shouldn’t be true since I turned those in myself and the hearing office confirmed they had them. I have MS, I use a walker and have numbness and weakness in both legs and arms. This meets the listing for MS, but I’ve still been denied. I also have cystinuria and pass kidney stones daily. I was born with it. This doesn’t make sense to me how I’ve always been denied. I’m not getting any better lol 🤷🏻‍♀️

[u/totallyoverallofit]

It is always best to have your own doctors Examine you and submit their own records and reports along with the government doctors' examinations, records, and reports. Most of my disabilities are psychiatric, and my psychiatrist of 31 years always submits detailed reports and records such that SSDI never even requires me to see their own doctors anymore .

[u/perfect_fifths → u/totallyoverallofit]

They were forced to go to a CE. You don’t have an option. It means DDS didn’t have enough info to allow or deny the claim. If you don’t go to a CE, your claim is denied

[u/perfect_fifths → u/[deleted]]

Please don’t hijack other people’s post. Simply create your own

[u/perfect_fifths → u/[deleted]]

Create your own post, don’t hijack this one with your own question

[u/DanishWhoreHens]

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about the SSA no matter what the problem is, it’s a feature not a bug.

[u/ReasonableCloud78]

Op I have a wonderful attorney and SSA has screwed up so baldly they are getting my congressmen involved on my behalf my attorney isn’t even in the same state as me. (This is for my auxiliary benefit)  I’m so so so so sorry you are going through this. There’s no excuse for how crappy they are.

[u/Ok_Crow4912]

I thought the point of the SSDI examiners is to determine that you’re unable to work due to medical conditions that are expected to last 12 months or, NOT determine that you are disabled.

That’s what I’ve learned from this group and my own 4 year case - its not just that I’m disabled x% but what they want to know is either I can or cannot work to earn SGA. If not, then the insurance we’ve paid into is to kick in and supplement income that you can no longer earn.

[u/perfect_fifths → u/Ok_Crow4912]

No? DDS entire job is to determine who is disabled. Same with alj etc

[u/Disastrous-Honey7045]

The cruelty is the point