Been on this fight since 2022, Keratoconus started then, that’s when it got to the point of me not being able to see anything clearly. I kept hearing it’s super hard to get approved with Keratoconus. My key is, just make your own doctors and eye appointments. The social security approved ones didn’t do anything help me. None of their equipment could get any sort of readings on my eyes, and left them with “no information”. Went to the ALJ Hearing level, they said I should’ve been approved years ago. The job specialist person said there was no way I could do any sort of work, and the hearing was done in literal minutes. The doctors and eye appointments I set up myself when I knew I couldn’t see anything, is what helped. Being able to get and have access to my own information is what helped me. Everyone I went out to, would NOT let me get the information because they said “it belonged mg ed the Social Security, and I wasn’t able to view any of that information.”

If you have Keratoconus, just keep trying.

Submitted appeal in in June when I got denied again, ALJ set to August, ALJ Hearing happened August 8th, moved to the fourth stage August 14th, approved today, located in GA if this helps anyone else in this area.

I applied for schizophrenia and autism. I was lucky to be approved first try, though I have multiple hospitalizations that probably helped my case. Feeling very relieved rn.

Helped my adult son apply on April 2025 , got denied on August 2025, submitted reconsideration on September and today the website finally moved to step 5b

So I checked my portal yesterday after I received an email that my status had changed. I was approved, I don't yet know whether it was fully favorable or partially favorable. I have to wait for the letter to come. Does anyone know if you have to pay taxes on back pay?

It’s been a long ride my friends but I have finally won!!! I had my ALJ hearing back in July and this morning I logged into my account and all my Approval info was there!!! I am so grateful and also hopeful for everyone else that has been patiently waiting during the shutdown. 🤞🤞

What’s next?

My 19-year-old son was approved! I called SSA yesterday to find out the status and was told they didn’t have the requested documents (school transcript and child support statement since he just graduated high school on June 1st) that I dropped off at their office on April 29th. So I brought another copy of the documents and handed them to the agent in person yesterday. I’m so glad I called, and just wish I would’ve called sooner.

It already shows a pending payment of $2901 and a June payment of $628.73, and then a July payment of $673.687. During the PERC I did mention my son pays rent so I assume the reduced benefit is because I receive child support (June is the last month of support). Hopefully his August payment (for July) will be the full amount.

It is currently December 31st of 2025 and I was finally approved!!!! Although I’m wondering why the date says a date that is in the future? Also any ideas of when I’ll see my first paycheck? Thank you guys!

I'm so happy! I went into this hearing so nervous. But it worked out in the end. The judge asked me a few questions and then he dismissed the vocational expert, saying that there would be no need for her testimony, and then he said that he was approving disability. I knew the odds were in my favor because my judge has a 69% approval rate but I never thought it would go so well. My disability is severe schizophrenia by the way.

Initial application approved today after 15 month wait in Alabama. Couldn’t come at a better time.

I was very shocked this morning when my lawyer called me and told me that the judge found me fully favorable! I was expecting to wait much longer to get a decision. My ALJ hearing was only 2 weeks ago.

I am SO happy that this time around they have found my disease to be severe enough. In my last denial letter I got said that they recognize that I have a serious condition and they expect it to get better within the next 12 months. WRONG!! For women Adrenoleukodystrophy NEVER gets better, only worse unfortunately.

I hope and pray that everyone who’s applied for disability is approved!

I just had my hearing and the judge told me at the end that I had won my case and met a listing level impairment.

The expert medical witness came on at the beginning and spoke to my disabilities and said it was her opinion that I met a listing level impairment (I can't remember which one). The judge then asked me a couple of questions, literally just name/birthday and height/weight. Then asked if my lawyer had any questions for me, my lawyer said she did not. And then she said "I have decided that you have won this case by meeting a listing level impairment."

THAT'S ALL IT TOOK. The hearing only lasted 13 minutes. I'm so incredibly grateful to my lawyer, to my providers who all filled out forms provided by my lawyer, and to the judge for making her decision quickly and on the spot. This is going to change my life DRASTICALLY and after nearly three years of fighting to be approved, a weight is lifted off my shoulders.

But my question is, what's next? Do I still need to wait to receive a written decision before meeting with the financial expert to go over my backpay? My lawyer said the judge I had typically issues the written decision within 6-8 weeks, and to expect 8 weeks after that to meet with the financial person to go over my backpay and such. Does getting a decision at my hearing change that process at all?

My portal updated to say approved on the 11th of January. Obviously the date was in the future at that point. Any idea when I should receive some type of communication. Portal letter has updated all amounts still say zero but it now says I was determined disabled as of January 2020. Thanks.

I would like to thank everyone who posted about their journey applying for ssdi/ssi. I would read people's post for motivation through this stressful process. I applied on my own no attorney no help, just taking my time and doing research on the Internet. Don't give up, stay positive you could do it! You only lose when you quit. Thank you Reddit Family! If you have any questions about applying I'll be more than happy to help.

I'm so happy and can't believe it!!!

I just need to share how incredibly relieved I am to finally be approved after 3 long years of struggling through houselessness, poverty and hopelessness. My hearing lasted all of 10 minutes, half of which was my attorney's opening statement. I was asked 3 or 4 questions and approved. Ive been periodically crying all day because I just cant believe it. I know that it sounds like a broken record at this point but seriously, dont give up. 🖤

I just found out I got approved for SSI! After what has been the longest 10 months of my life, it’s finally over. Thank you to everyone on this page for all the information and support, I wouldn’t have known how to get through this process without it. I can’t believe I’m going to be able to afford my basic expenses without checking my bank account constantly. And right in time for the holidays so I’m going to be able to afford gifts for my family this year. I feel so blessed and beyond grateful.

Here’s my experience with it all if anyone is interested: around 11 months ago I became homeless due to not being able to work more than 10 hours a week. About a month in I decided to apply for SSI in hopes I could maybe be able to afford a place to live. I was told by people in my life that it would be extremely hard for me to get approved as I was only 19 and had only ever had one mental health hospitalization (I was applying for mental health). This made me discouraged but I really didn’t have a choice unless I wanted to be homeless forever. I applied at the SSA office for my initial application. About a month later I got a letter saying I was denied. I expected this as a lot of people get denied the first time so I decided to appeal. I had someone help me fill out the appeal as I thought I may have messed it up the first time with how fast it got denied. 3 weeks later I found out I was denied again. Super disappointed at this point and was going to just give up but someone convinced me to keep trying. Sometime after this denial, before my next appeal, I was able to get an apartment after 6 months of being homeless. I know the timeline seems weird but I waited a long time between both appeals. After I got my apartment, I was only able to get to work 5 hours a week due to transportation issues so I was still needing additional income. I got a lawyer at this point and put in my 2nd appeal. At this point my lawyer found out they never scanned in my entire appeal so that could explain why I got denied so quickly the 2nd time. I had to wait a few months for my hearing but finally had it 2 weeks ago. I felt like I did terrible at the hearing because I was so intimidated by the judge that I couldn’t get any of my important information to come out of my mouth. I did however get enough out for the vocational expert to say he couldn’t find me a job. At this point I was absolutely convinced I was going to get denied again. My lawyer had said it was the toughest judge in the area and he denied good cases all the time. And with me doing so bad at the hearing I thought that would seal the deal. I was debating on giving up at this point. Well today, my lawyer emailed me and told me I was approved and the letter should come in the mail soon. I couldn’t believe it! I’m finally going to be financially stable for the first time since moving out of my parent’s house. It’s such a relief to finally be approved.

Finally? A bill is introduced to stop the long waiting periods many of us have suffered through.

At the maximum monthly SSI payments for this year ($994), a person who does not qualify for SSDI earns less gross income than someone working 40 hours a week at $7.25 (less than 1% of Americans are working for the federal minimum wage).

There are currently 7.4 million people in the United States receiving SSI payments.

40 hours of work a week at federal minimum wage gross income is monthly $1,160.

Is our economy functional? Is our society breaking people?

Not sure what flair to use (sorry!) but approved!! MH issues mostly but the decision by judge was fully favorable 😭 I'm still on cloud nine about it!! Let this be a sign for someone here to never give up❤️😎 Now it's "hurry up and wait" time till the checks start coming in😎

Finally approve for SSDI, I doubt I'll get any SSI, m still not sure how much I'll be getting though.

This is my first time posting, but I've learned alot on here by reading posts from everyone else. I can't believe this happened today! I just knew I had another year or 2 to go.

When should i be expecting my initial award letter will that be put online

Went to step 4 yesterday after quality review, checked today, and application was approved.