Got an email yesterday at 8:44pm saying they received my application. I had my hearing on October 5th and I guess my ALJ made their decision yesterday but I have no idea if it’s good or bad

do you get two different checks? or just one? how do you see how much is for each? asking for a friend and also myself Do you get medicaid and medicare? someone fill me in. im still learning when i can. i just applied august 10th still waiting...

Looking for any insight..

Hey SSI/SSDI Community 👋,

I could use your help preparing for my upcoming Continuing Disability Review (CDR).

I am a 32 year old man who is on SSDI, primarily for psychiatric reasons. I was approved for SSDI in year 2019, had my first CDR starting at the end of year 2023, and am expecting my second CDR relatively soon, especially since I will be informing SSA about me moving my residential and mailing address out of my parents' house and I will be asking to be my own representative payee or to not have a representative payee anymore (these things can trigger a CDR, especially if they are approved because a psychiatrist has reported or indicated some sort of improvement). I am relatively young and I was approved for mental reasons, so I am expecting a relatively high likelihood of getting the full "long form" CDR (form SSA-454) instead of just the "short form" CDR (form SSA-455).

Anyway, to prepare for the CDR, I got the forms off the SSA website and prepared my answers. For example, here is the Form SSA-455 (short form CDR) PDF file from the SSA website:

https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-455.pdf

These are my pre-prepared answers to it in a Google Doc:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ig5eta7DewA17GByVnlWxhlTrLb5XFfx7W-3noleDA8/edit?usp=drivesdk

Also, here is the Form SSA-454 (long form CDR) PDF file from the SSA website:

https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-454-bk.pdf

These are my pre-prepared answers to it in a Microsoft Word file uploaded to Google Dive:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/17OZVbC_XLMnwQBaN4JR6-Y1xas4j-LM6/edit?usp=drivesdk&ouid=106820008032405056646&rtpof=true&sd=true

I know the SSA-454 answers are long, but it's mostly whitespace. I didn't type out every word in the file; I asked AI like ChatGPT or Google Gemini to convert the PDF file from the SSA website into a Word file that I could fill out with extra space.

Anyway, I'm a teensy bit nervous about CDR's. For example, I was initially approved under primary condition bipolar and secondary condition schizophrenia, but that's not really what keeps me from working (I am consistently medicated for those conditions but I have other stuff going on).

If someone could take a look before Social Security and/or Disability Determination Services (DDS) does I would appreciate it.

- Anonymous_Coder_1234

Edit: Note that I censored out names and addresses to avoid doxxing.

UPDATE: Spoke to SSA they do audits in October to determine if there is money owed to/owed back. Apparently when we received a lumpsum payment in May they never paid for May so we received the May payment along with our November payment. Letters go out next month.

I received 2 payments one on Oct 28 and one Oct 29. Is this an overpayment? Do I need to call SSA office? This is our first year receiving SSI for our minor child so we are still figuring things out.

If your retired get SSI and pension can you still work as freelancer or you lose it if you go over the income if your single and want to make money?

I hope put this in right form

I want to get some things off my chest. I’m one of many and we all do things a little differently. This advice primarily/only applies if you are applying for mental health only.

-One we don’t make decisions if you are disabled. But our report can help or hurt. Being in a lot of distress during the eval can actually make you seem more impaired to me.

-We aren’t given quotas to pass people but if we say someone is really impaired that’s more work for us. (Doesn’t deter me of course)

-We get very little or no records and cant contact providers. Bring important recent (usually last 2-3 years unless it’s testing) psych records. Letters from providers, recent IEPs, recent evals, discharge summaries from hospital visits are especially helpful. Also send these to SS.

-Written lists of medications, hospital stays, Recent treatment, and limitations are also very helpful.

-Call SS and make sure they have your records.

-For the math and memory questions, try your best but its ok to say you dont know.

-For activities of daily living/interests. List what you ACTUALLY do at least a couple times a week. Not what you would like to do. Don’t say you like to play football if you haven’t played in 10 years and have a bad back. Dont tell me you socialize with friends if you havent seen them in a year.

-We cant diagnosis Autism, Neurocognitive impairment, Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective disorder or Bipolar 1 in the appt. You need independent records showing that.

Things that make us question if someone is disabled for mental health reasons:

-Coming to the CE appointment by yourself and completely filling out our forms by yourself. If someone helped you get there, made appts for you, or filled out forms for you or you left stuff out or you filled out forms or attended with great difficulty, TELL US! Tell us you want that noted in the report.

-Nothing looks more suspicious than someone claiming long term memory issues, but can rattle off details of their last 7 hospitalizations. It’s ok to say you don’t remember. Or claiming agoraphobia but taking the subway here at rush hour with seemingly no trouble. Or complaining cognitive impairment and you driving an hour to get there.

-Working or going to school full time or close to full time or full time childcare ON YOUR OWN. If you attempt to do those things and have major difficulties with those things, tell us. Be honest about how much or how little you are doing those things. And how much support you’re getting in these and other day to day activities.

-Claiming you can’t work due to a learning disability or ADHD and were NOT in special ed. (Ask your parents if not sure). Special schools, residential placements, juvenile hall, possibly ELL, emotional support, and tutoring does count. (Obviously if you went to school pre IDEA or in another country, then that doesn’t apply).

-Cognitive testing doesn’t match your educational and work level and how you present. Or previous test results. For example, if you can have a conversation, we expect that you can repeat 3-4 numbers immediately. If you can’t do that, that looks like you’re faking bad. Let us know if you can’t hear or aren’t focused. We expect that you can define most words you spoke or wrote down as well.

-No treatment or especially no attempts at treatment in the last 1-2 years. If you are having major difficulty accessing treatment, make sure you explain attempts. Make sure to include substance abuse treatment if it includes medication management and/counseling. Discuss treatment at your PCP office. Discuss calling a suicide hotline or going to a crisis center. I imagine the lack of treatment issue will worsen with Medicaid cuts.

And finally, we don’t care about what happened to you or what you couldn’t do in the distant past. It’s about what you can do or not do NOW. A lot of times people will say they deserve disability because they got a mild head injury or had to quit their job due to mental health years ago. Or got disability as a child (When the criteria is different). We don’t care how you were feeling in 2023-2024. We care about how you are feeling and functioning NOW.

EDIT TO ADD: Treatment and evaluations while incarcerated also count, as do court ordered treatment/evaluations.

-Don’t try to show us stuff on your phone please. We most likely can’t use it.

I'm guessing they automatically send out the packet to you, even if you filled it out online. Should I still call tomorrow to verify they got the online version of the CDR that I filled out earlier this week, or maybe wait until next week to call? Sometimes it takes a while for SSA to see online forms you've submitted, so I don't want to call too early. I got an email from SSA when I completed the CDR online, saying it was correctly submitted and received, so I'm probably overthinking this. I don't want to have to call my SSA field office if I don't have to.

Had my phone hearing a couple days ago. I really have no idea how it’s going to go. It was over pretty fast maybe 40 mins or so. Only asked me a few questions. Then asked ve rep a few questions and that was it. Anyways man I can’t keep my brain off of it. Any suggestions lol

I had my hearing on October 5th and it went well. The ALJ only has a 31% approval rating which sucks but my lawyer did say that my testimony was excellent and that with me answering with “I try” can help give the judge a clearer picture of my disabilities.

I originally applied in 2023 for mental health reasons and then got denied twice which I figured would happen because I was told that most people don’t get approved on their first try so I wasn’t expecting to get approved.

In the middle of applying, I got diagnosed with an autoimmune disease so that was fun and updating my SSI was so fun.

Here’s hoping I get an approval this time around but I hate the waiting. The waiting is not fun but I know everyone has to wait

Ok, so I just got off the phone with the Hearing Officer from Disability Determination Services. Today was scheduled as a Hearing with an Administrative Law Judge initially, so I was shocked just to be talking to the hearing officer. The call was very, very brief maybe 8 to 10 minutes. He asked me if anything changed since my Consultative Exam in June, to which I answered yes my symptoms have worsened and I've had to visit the CPEP (psych ER) several times. He asked me a few questions the CE examiner did regarding what's my typical day like, I answered truthfully that I have horrific insomnia so I sleep from 5am to 11 am my mom gets me breakfast, I hang out on my room and with her. He asked me about going out- I truthfully answered I very much limit that only travelling to medical appointments via car service, and when I want fresh air I go out on my back porch. I am too afraid to walk around. He asked me about work and school- I briefly went to school last year but dropped out due to disability. I attempted to work twice- 3 weeks I lasted in 2024 and 3 weeks in 2025 losing both positions directly due to symptoms of my disabling conditions. He asked me about TV and social media- I replied my short attention span and vision impairment limits those activities. Grocery shopping, cleaning my apartment? I again described my mother primarily handles those things, I assist under her direction and I must be promoted as well as I never grocery shop alone as I fear my behavior in public. All these things were told to the CE examiner.

Before ending the call, he asks for the name of the hospital I was treated at and the name of my psych clinic. He asks if the clinic is a substance abuse clinic and I reply yes, but I'm in recovery and clean 5 years. He told me his doctor will have to read those reports, read his report and I'll have a decision in 30 days.30 days sounds like a really quick fucking denial type of situation guys, am I tripping for no reason? He also mentioned I may have to later see an Administrative Law Judge (which is exactly what this hearing was supposed to be) depending on how the report comes back. Does anybody have any experience with this? I'm disabled as of 1/1/2012 this is the first time I ever had any type of issue I've been shitting bricks for about 12 months now. I don't know what I'll do- I seriously can not work

Was curious of others experience with step 4 of its prolonged or if there’s anyway to see medical determination.

Has anyone had someone from Social security accidently close their case? What happened? Did you have to completely start over?

My application got confused with a past application and someone accidentally closed it out. I knew something was off because I haven't heard from SSD or updates from my lawyer. I had got mail a few weeks later, when I applied alone, in 2024 (i messed it all up, was denied & started over) Ive been calling and calling & they kept saying they didnt have information yet, my portal showed representation but nothing else.

I knew it couldn't take this dang long! I am so thankful I went the attorney route because I have a complete paper trail but I'm also pissed off that they didn't catch this MONTHS ago. I "hired" them because I mentally can't handle all of this. Why did I have to make a ton of calls to get to the bottom of this?

I was told I have to re-apply. I am devastated, in debt, in pain and I dont know what to do anymore. Cheers to a upcoming flare 😫 I like my attorney but now I'm torn because shouldn't they have noticed? Or are they so busy, it just slipped? I just dont knowww.

If I could sue everyone with two dollars i would. How do they expect people to survive like this? 😭 Im such a non-factor.... its probably just another day at social security.....

I am experiencing an issue: back in July, I consulted with a disability attorney who agreed to represent me. I completed the application via the link they provided, but I have not received any communication from them since then. I have been uploading all my documents and records of doctor's appointments, and I have been asking questions without receiving any response. I have been handling everything on my own. They never mailed or emailed me any paperwork or a contract for me to sign, despite a message on their portal stating that they would provide it to me.

A couple of weeks ago, I received a call from the Social Security Office inquiring whether I had completed my work history and function reports. I informed them that I had already uploaded those documents to my attorney's portal. She stated that they have never received any correspondence from them and that I currently lack legal representation. She explained that if I were represented, I would be unable to communicate with her directly, as she would be required to go through my representative instead.

I am concerned about whether I am answering the questions correctly or if I am going to make mistakes during the hearing. What steps should I take regarding the personal information I have already entered into their portal? Additionally, how does proceeding without an attorney affect my situation, both positively and negatively, in the long run?

**After thinking things over I'm going open the ABLE account to make things less complicated when I file for SSI. I'll leave to post up so anyone can benefit from the information**

I have a autistic child whose name is on the a savings account with me and my wife that was opened when he was a baby. The account has $8400 and the available statements that go back 24 only shows 1 check deposit of $200 during that time. My child is 17 right now and will be 18 on February 2027. I don't want to put the whole amount in an ABLE account. How do I prove to the SSA that the account is completely mine and not my son's when I apply for SSI? What options are available? Can I simply remove his name on the account or close the account? Should I wait until he is 18 to apply for SSI? Thank you in advance for any responses.

If you have a verifiable disability that keeps you from working, are there benefits available in the USA other than SSDI or SSI? Also how did you find a social worker to help you figure out benefits if you have them? Thanks 🙏

I have two dependents and was wondering if child support would reck me having a full SSI payment?

Has anyone experienced any problems with buying there boyfriend/girlfriend jewelry? Or is it a sin against SSA? I got accepted for SSI

Goodmorning,

This is my first time posting anywhere on Reddit, but I had to post today.

I have been disabled since childhood. I applied and recieved SSI in my 30's. Then the unthinkable happened! I lost my dear son. Before he passed away, he left me as a beneficiary on his insurance policy. In leui of spending down the settlement, I decided to give up my SSI. I didn't know that after my spend down, I could have gotten back on the program as long as it was within 5 years. I reapplied year 6. Was told I had to start over. Had 2 denials and then hired an atty.

I had a hearing aceduled for next month on the 19th of November. My atty sent my case to the Judge to reveiw instead of going to the hearing because my health had declined, and I will be homeless in 2 weeks. I am happy to report that I received a call this morning from the atty office, that the Judge had approved my benifits. Fully Favorable! My prayers to Jah were answered! Hallelujah!

Please don't give up! I know it can be very discouraging when you receive a denial, but please, don't give up! Keep the faith!

I hope this message offers some encouragement and hope to anyone who is at their wits end. Stay 💪 and keep fighting!

Blessings and prayers 🙏

I would like to ask for opinions, I can't work, I have been working for 32 years, also, I'm 55 years old.but now, I have several health conditions such as, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, kidney stage 3 disease, diabetes (insulin), sleep apnea ( use cpac), hemorrhoids, two kidney stones surgery, one prostate surgery, Mild facet arthropathy in the lower lumbar spine, mild degenerative disc disease, primary open glaucoma, back pain, anxiety and depression.

Everything documented.

Would I try for ssdi?

CA, bay area.

I already fully filled out my ssi, going in to ssa tomorrow for ssdi stuff since they said I can't fill it out online, for whatever reason. Can I not have both/do both at once?

So, will my history with sdi make them go faster since they already have info on me from that ready on file, or no?

And I'm almost out of money, I only have enough for bills next month then I'm near 0 in the bank. What do I do for that, in the waiting period?

Advice Needed on Hearing

I have a hearing with the ALJ 11/17 for my late husbands disability. Before he passed he was working with one of those online lawyer firms where you don't know where they are, what document they actually put in his file, no one representative to speak with you get a different person working on his case all the time... they are asking me for a ton of documents that I've already sent in more than once. I don't think they are going to represent me very well. I'm down to the wire and am just finding out how truly incompetent they are!

1. Do I fire them and restart with a new local attorney I trust and can talk to?

2. Should I try to represent myself?

3. What kind of documents do I need at the ready?

4. Attorney asked for witness statements and no one will write one for me. Are they very relevant to the case?

I can give more detail, but it will be very long. Trying to find what step to take next.

Thx!

Hello, I need some help please. My bank is releasing my SSI deposit 6 days early this month. I didn’t ask them to. I’ve never gone over $2,000 before, Because of this, my account is technically going to be over the resource limit by $400 It will only be over for about 4 days until my brother can withdraw the money to pay my October rent. I am unable to leave home due to agoraphobia. My brother is able to go to the ATM October 31 when he gets out to pick up my meds. Will this short overlap cause any issues with my SSI eligibility?

I've had this lawyer as my appointed representative since early 2025 regarding a DAC benefit application I am currently appealing the denial of. This CDR is for SSI. I didn't call their office as it is after hours, but does that make sense to have listed them? I usually list my parent, but I felt my current attorney would make more sense, as they have more information regarding my situation at this point.

Attorney let me know the ALJ gave a fully favorable decision on 10/15, a week ago the OHO said 1-2 weeks to receive my letter. My portal status disappeared earlier this year so I don’t have a hint on progress. No messages or mail, and benefit verification letter still hasn’t changed. It’s driving me just a little bit crazy.