Disability

, This is a great question! Applying for disability benefits can indeed be a long, complex, and frustrating process. So many are initially denied and then have to go through the equally complex and frustrating process of appeal. That being said, applying is worth it, and if faced with a denial, the appeal process can work. One of our patient leaders wrote a two-piece article about her journey to applying for disability benefits (https://lupus.net/living/disability-journey), being initially denied and eventually winning on her appeal! (https://lupus.net/living/filing-disability). I wish it wasn't so difficult for folks to get the support and benefits they need and deserve, but I encourage you to check out this page we have with resources about the application process: https://lupus.net/resources-ssdi. To my knowledge, you do not need to stop working when you file. That being said, depending on how much you are earning and how many hours a week you work, it might be considered when they review your application/need. The process can be long and draining, so I would not relinquish your source of income too early and assume that the benefits will come through quickly enough to cover immediate bills. I wish it worked like that, and hope for a future when people can get the help they need quickly and without having to fight tooth and nail for it! I hope this was helpful, wishing you the best of luck. Keep us in the loop with how it goes!
Gabby (team member)

I applied back in November last year. I was turned down initially but I appealed and was slightly more successful however I didn't get the award I believe I am entitled to so I have appealed the appeal decision and the DWP are currently looking again at my application. It's a long and stressful process but we should fight for what we are entitled to. I would strongly advise you to send as much evidence as you can and use the Citizens Advice Bureau to help you with the wording, it can make a huge difference in their decision making the way you word things. Another bit of advice is that if you are turned down initially and ask for a mandatory reconsideration please don't do it over the phone (I made that mistake) do everything in writing. I wish you all the best and don't give up! Hope this helps xx

hey! It was a long process for me. I had to totally quit working due to my health in August of 2016. I tried filing for short term & long term disability thru my place of employment. But that was a joke. So I filed for disability in, I believe October 2016. It took forever to fill out all that paperwork. And they sent it back with and big denied stamped on my paperwork with in 7 days. With mail time and all that there is absolutely no way anyone could have looked at it. I believe they saw my age and was like NOPE. I was 31 at the time. So once I got that back I found a lawyer in my area. I’m going to stop here and say GET A LAWYER the first time you apply. Even tho most people are denied the first time. That said in November 2016 I got a lawyer and they refiled and I was granted time in front of the judge. (Can’t think of what it’s actually called. Dang lupus fog). We waited forever to get the date. When we did it was JULY 2018. So while we waited I did what the lawyers suggested. I journaled every day. My symptoms. My pain level. Where I hurt. If I took any medication or did any interventions for the pain, what they were and if they helped. I did that ever day for over 18months. They were eventually given to the judge. By the time I went to my hearing I had over 8,000pgs of medical records that some poor clerk at the lawyer office had to go through. And it was sent to the judge. While at the hearing it was just me, my attorney, the court reporter, the judge and his assistant (he was in a wheelchair), and an employment specialist. I did not get an answer after my hearing. But when we walked out of the room my lawyer congratulated me and told me I had won based on how little the employment specialist said I could actually do. I had to wait for the letter to come in the mail. So I stalked my mailman for months until I finally got the letter of approval in October 2018. I remember feeling so relieved and I just bawled. It was like someone had finally acknowledged the pain and everything I deal with on a daily basis. If you want information on what my lawyer told me to wear, how to do my hair, makeup, how to act etc during the hearing let me know and I’ll be happy to share that with you. I send you all the good vibes when you start the process. Let us know if we can help in any way. Big hugs! Amber (lupus.net team moderator).

welcome to the forum. For me it took a while and I had to.use a lawyer. When I applied you could not make an income. I am not sure if that has changed. It's a daunting process that can really be stressful. ~Racquel~ lupus.net team member