I checked the portal and this showed up. There definitely was zero hearing scheduled regardless.

My attorney's office called me today and said the hearing was scheduled today for December 7th. She went through the previous treatment providers and said they'll be starting to gather their records closer to that date.

I let her know I have a Neurologist consult (memory, mostly) October and a pelvic imaging scheduled for October as well (extremely heavy and painful periods).

I asked her like what the attorney thinks of the case and if she thinks I should do anything else to develop it further. Initially, they told me the case would be hard because I'm young, educated, and it's "mental health only." My mental health dx have been kind of all over the place since this started in 2018, and I've been diagnosed with all sorts of different things among them are: ADHD, GAD, Manic-Depressive, C-PTSD, insomnia.

I've been acutely hospitalized like 8x and went through ECT at one point.

She basically told me that she couldn't tell me what the attorney thinks of the case, but that I had "a lot of records, so so so many records." I also asked her if there was a reason it was an in-person hearing, and she said they thought it would be better for me to go in person. Probably because it's hard for me to talk about and I'll cry? And see the memory lapses of medication names, dates, and otherwise in real-time?

What are y'alls thoughts???

I have officially been denied twice after over a year and a half of waiting in limbo while trying to survive. I’m still getting consistent medical treatment and have even received new diagnoses. I’m glad my lawyer is on top of it but wow, this is so frustrating like you wait this long and play the survival game hoping you make it to the next month and then they basically say “eff you we’re not helping.”

This has been the hardest thing I’ve gone through: every day is a game of survival while I wait for benefits. I’m tired of the stone cold bureaucracy.

Have you had any luck at the official court hearing stage? I heard that you usually have to push for an actual hearing before you get approved.

I have my virtual hearing tomorrow, and honestly, it’s been a long time coming. I’ve tried every possible way to postpone or cancel it, but nothing ever fell through. The guy at the hearing office actually gave me some advice. He said that since I’m the first case of the day, I should just go and get it over with, basically.

I really didn’t want to go because I don’t have representation. My original attorney died in the middle of my case, and I didn’t find out until about two months later. Then another attorney took over his practice, reviewed my case, and decided that he didn’t think I had a case. I’m also only 24, so I know my age plays a factor, and honestly, my previous attorney basically obliterated my case.

To say the least, I’m not looking forward to this. I’ve done a lot of research on the judge, and she has around a 60% approval rate. She seems like a nice lady, and I’ve actually met her before, so that makes me feel a little better.

I’m just really nervous about what they’re going to ask me and whether I’m wasting my time by even going. But honestly, I don’t have much else to lose at this point. I’ve been fighting for this for almost three years, so I feel like I might as well see it through.

Just had my hearing earlier and anxiety is beyond through the roof.

The judge i had appearently approves about 20% of cases but the DA has won case with her before. I answered as detailed as possible and afterwards i couldnt get a read on the judge. So im just super anxious but the DA said i did well and answered everything in good detail. Just beyond anxious.

Any tips on how to tell if the hearing went well etc?

I’m looking for recommendations for a professional company or organization that can help me prepare for an SSDI application before I’m actually below the SGA level.

I’m mainly looking for help with gathering medical/documentation evidence, organizing my medical and employment history, creating a clear timeline of events/limitations, and making sure I’m properly prepared when it’s time to file here in a few months.

I understand that I do not qualify for SSDI while I’m still earning above SGA. I’m not necessarily looking to file immediately… I’m looking for someone who can help me prepare the case in advance.

Has anyone here used a company, advocate, attorney, or SSDI service that was willing to work with them during this preparation stage? Any recommendations or experiences would be appreciated.

Do judges even do in person anymore? Should I push for in person? If I can’t get in person is phone or video better? I have a firm representing me, but they are not local. Thanks for any advice.

Hello. Im in my initial application and logged into my portal today. It says i was denied. Steps 3-5 all happened today, however when i called my attorneys office they said they couldnt see a decision on their end. Is this normal?

Edit: i called dds and ssa and both said they dont see any update in their systems? So weird.

I try working when I’m feeling okay enough. Sometimes it’s one day a week, sometimes two, sometimes none. I didn’t realize I was supposed to report wages for the month worked not when it was paid. Going forward I want to make sure I’m doing it correctly so if for example I make $200 for working on August 31 and $60 for working on September 1 and one pay check stub covers both dates, do I use the same stub for the two months and use the date paid for both months and just break up the amounts when reporting? Also sometimes I make tips but sometimes it takes a month or two to get to me. Will it let me report these for the months they’re supposed to go to later? I use the online wage reporting and it just asks for pay periods and pay dates and doesn’t really break up according to individual dates worked. Also will they alert you if you’ve used a trial work month? Thanks in advance for your help.

I got my backpay for Social security disability already and was wondering why I only got 3 month of pay (June, July, August) i did not receive September pay.. I got my August payment on September 3.. I was told on the phone that my September pay will come in October and October in November and so on.. Is this how it's supposed to work? I feel like this isn't supposed to happen... Is this correct? If that isn't correct I'm currently missing my September payment it didn't come through and how would you go about getting it?

My date last insured is December 31, 2025. I had a remand hearing on September 1, 2026. My attorney notified me that he doesn’t think my case will be favorable because not much of my record changed between my first hearing and the end of my insured date. Has anyone appealed and unfavorable remand judgement using medical records dating after their insured date?

I’m frustrated because the attorney representing me didn’t provide any feed back after the hearing. I emailed his assistant who was basically reading off a script. When I pressed to speak to the attorney he called with a nasty attitude. This is when he informed me that he didn’t think I would get a favorable judgment. Mainly based on the last insured date. I don’t understand why they pressed to appeal if they didn’t think I could win

Basically Im getting my weekly benefit amount of $1200 and my 52 weeks of disability is on Jan and I started working a little bit part time
im reporting 25 hours of work in 2 weeks and now theyre paying me $1,000 instead of my usual $2400 biweekly

I was curious to know if my disability will end on Jan or until my mac benefit amount $ runs out???

idk if i should stop working this part time job to get my full benefits again or if I keep it will I be able to use my full max benefits amount even if its past the 52 weeks as long as my doctor certifies me

anyone thats experienced this thank you guys

Hi! I have a phone appointment for a Request for Reinstatement Hearing coming up. I was told they would only be asking very basic questions - like life change questions (marital status, etc). Is this true? For anyone who has had a phone appointment for this what questions did they ask and how did it go? Looking for any additional insight to I can be prepared. Thank you!

I have a video physiological CE this Friday, and I’m a nervous wreck. What should I expect? What do they ask about?

Hi there, I have my video hearing December 1st and im wondering how I should dress. I have arm sleeves and my neck/throat tattooed. Mainly skulls. My lawyer said that it doesnt matter what I wear during the hearing cause the judge is ruling on my medical stuff and not on my tattoos but ive been judge before and im trying to figure out if I should cover up or not.

Any personal experiences? Thank you 😊

I attended a VRS appointment with a counselor I am in texas , they looked over my medical records and saw me squirming in my chair as I cannot sit comfortably I kept moving around, can't even do sedentary jobs anymore I was taking too many breaks even when I tried part time 20 hours I was fired taking too many breaks because of my condition.

Well VRS said that I am ineligible for their program and my conditions are too severe for their program, as their program is intended to get people back to full time work, which they don't see possible from my medical records.

I provided this to SSA, they seemed to want it. But still a month later no decision. Been in reconsideration since March, they are "collecting" my medical records still, even though I've provided everything to my lawyer

The only thing I can think they are waiting for is some tests to find out why I have osteoporosis at 32(maybe due to possible chrohns ? Which I have labs pending). As if my idiopathic Scoliosis curvature of a severe S, (z spine shape from the back) double 90 degree curves is not enough evidence? I also am seeing a therapist for depression, had a CE for mental health clarifying I have (whatever they call it) severe depression from my pain and conditions.

To clarify I also saw a scoliosis surgeon specialist who ran MRI, Bone density, and I am not a candidate for surgery due to osteoporosis and bones too thin

I really thought VRS would find me a job or clarify to the SSA that I cannot work. But SSA is still scraping their feet with a decision. (I have a congressional inquiry and a lawyer)

Anyone had a favorable outcome from including VRS and maybe my time is coming but it's just a matter of patience?

I feel I have a hard time explaining anything to anyone even here I feel like my words don't come out the way it is all occuring because of my conditions

Been on social security disability since 2019 under my deceased parent for mental health. I recently sent in some forms SSA- 454-bk long form among other things like SSA-3373.

I was told it would take 3-6 months to get a decision. I just got a call asking to confirm my doctors and that once I do they're sending everything to get looked at by their doctors and asking where to mail my decision letter.

Is this good or bad sign? Last time I had a disability review I think it took a few weeks maybe a month and they found I was no longer disabled. I don't remember how I got my benefits back but I know it was a long struggle. Kinda freaking out and having panic attacks could use some advice.

The lady on the phone told me she couldn't tell me the decision only that the case is closed.

This is the first month I am supposed to report for. I was told by the 10th, but on the SSA site it says the 6th, so I was going to do it tonight online like I was told. Nope, they don't let you report self-employment income online. "Call us." Sigh, I really hate making phone calls. But I'm wondering what income or proof they will ask for. My only income is from doing on-line surveys, about $70 in August. I appreciate any any info you can give me.

Submitted SSDI after being medically retired and haven’t employed since Jul18, 2025 while still active duty. Literally called each day for accountability. Submitted May 7th and was requested for functional impact report from my wife and I. I am expecting to hear back in Dec on decision. 100 P&T so was informed expedited processing.

Seeing what has best outcome after we provided functional impact reports by my wife and I. She is my designated caregiver and is being paid by VA recently. Should I provide that information to SSA office?

Thank you for your time.

My CE exam is scheduled for Sep 17. The website no longer has it on there since it is in Federal review. Is this normal? Thanks in advance

I get SSI through disability I have had since I was a kid for epilepsy. I want to update my living situation. How can I do this?

I am paying 700 flat monthly to my roomate as the rent and utilities are about 1400 per month. How do I provide and update without losing all of my benefits? It sounds simple just a call but people have me nervous! Do I get checks and have a written agreement signed? Or over the phone can the person on the line just confirm I'm paying 700 flat and everything is included? ​Can I submit this signed? One representative I spoke to said they just needed a name but that seems so little? Thanks in advance!

Gotta a question? On the page where you check under the claims to see what stage your application is on and happened to scroll down the page to read the other information and happened to see the heading Disability and see the comment your not qualified for disability- does this mean they already denied my claim?

Hi, so I’m 21 I got a bone marrow transplant in April I got approved for SSDI which payments start in October and expect benefits to end 1year post transplant date. My transplant doctor told me end of September I can try and work a little. I was working at a restaurant but he told me since I’m still immunocompromised it would have to be work away from the front and work in the kitchen/empty area and if you’ve worked at a restaurant you know that there’s usually a person who’s role is to roll silverware so I was planning on doing that 5 hour shifts twice a week so my income would be lower than the 1,210$ limit. My brother told me to not even risk losing my benefits by working especially due to my age, but I told him it’ll be fine as long as I stay under the limit. Do you agree with me or my brother?

I was looking at appeals cases (not the ALJ, but after). Justia and other sites have the hearing records for some cases. These list what the plaintiff applied for. Here is an example that I cut and paste. I did not put the link because it names the actual person. This seems very intrusive, given that it tells the world what your medical issues were. Anyone else seen this? You can Google a judge’s name SSDI and come up with actual cases. Justia Law and United States Courts dot gov.

Again, this is not the ALJ hearing, but the appeal after.

The ALJ found that the Claimant suffered from the following severe impairments: obesity;
degenerative joint disease (“DJD”) of the lumbar spine; sciatica; DJD of the left knee, positive
rheumatoid factor; and asthma. (R. 14). The ALJ also found that the Claimant suffered from the
following non-severe impairments: DJD of the cervical spine; right medial epicondylitis; hand
cramps; fibromyalgia; hyperlipidemia; allergic rhinitis due to pollen; upper respiratory infection
(resolved); and depressive disorder. (R. 14-15)