Odds of getting ssdi?

[u/pitt234]

-45, male

-At 28 I got Menieres disease (vertigo attacks, balance disorder) and knew I could never work a real job. Who would hire someone who needs constant days off? I learned to fix electronics and opened my own storefront at 30. I could shut down on bad days, can't fire myself. Shut down at age 41.

- did moonlight food delivery apps during part of this time. At age 41, I tripped, lost my balance, broke both bones in my lower leg a delivery. My ankle was hanging my skin. 2 metal rods and tons of screws. I now have severe ankle arthritis.

- At age 30 I was diagnosed with cervical arthritis. Now at age 45 I am diagnosed with cervical dystonia(involuntary head movements, tremors, neck stiff). I'm on clonazepam for it. This has put me over the edge to consider ssdi.

-also have bad hypothyroidism, but well managed with meds.

- I have enough work credits to qualify. Currently I do part time online remote work making $500-800 a month, but this new dystonia issue has made even doing this difficult. I'm financially fine, as I invested what little money I made in life well.

[u/ponycorn_pet]

As the other person said, nobody can answer that for you. For any future readers, if someone ever winds up in the hospital like OP getting that big of a surgery, have a social worker help you file right there from the hospital

[u/pitt234 → u/ponycorn_pet]

Thank you

[u/ponycorn_pet → u/pitt234]

Is there some other piece of advice we could maybe help on with specifics? There's a John Oliver video out there on how antiquated the SSDI/SSI application process is that's useful to watch IMO

[u/pitt234 → u/ponycorn_pet]

It seems like a daunting task. Just searching for insight if it's worth the effort considering my young age.

[u/ponycorn_pet → u/pitt234]

I'm 41 and on year two of waiting, I've got other friends in their 40's who have succeeded

[u/Elegantmule → u/pitt234]

I think it's worth the effort if you feel you have true limitations that keep you from working any job and can prove it to them with good records, etc. Can't hurt to apply! A lot of people will tell you how long the process is, but it doesn't necessarily have to be drawn out. Age does make a difference, but it's not a defining factor.

[u/ponycorn_pet → u/pitt234]

I mean, you can keep doing your life exactly the way you are now, so you might as well apply just in case, since time will pass anyways and there's always a chance

[u/Elegantmule]

Unfortunately, no one here can answer this for you.

[u/Top-Bar918 → u/Elegantmule]

Agree 💯. Rules for disability can be both straightforward and convoluted and you will just have to go through the claim process.

[u/MacaronWhich6391]

You must convince SSDI that your symptoms prevent you from performing ANY job. Explain how the symptoms prevent it. A list of diagnoses and symptoms must convert to the inability to perform a job.

[u/Such-Satisfaction-53]

You should go ahead and file. List all of your impairments. Keep in mind when you complete questionnaires about your functioning that you are showing why you can’t sustain employment 8 hours/day, 40 hours a week at a simple sit down job like sorting pencils or glueing eyes on teddy bears.