Hi, all. I recently went through all the neurological testing, and it's not looking good. I've had Meniere's for 17 years and went bilateral 7 years ago. I got the testing because I have recently lost my balance and have been slipping and falling. Today, I get the balance test, which I will certainly flunk. I am on a walker full time. I am going to apply for SS disability since it is impossible for me to work. I've heard horror stories about badly disabled Meniere's victims who were turned down for disability. Have any of you gotten disability, and what did it entail? Thanks, bless all, Ron
I have been on disability for the last seven years because of Meniere's and also my RA. When I applied I did it online and apparently answered all the questions the way they wanted. I had no issue what so ever. They even sent me to another doctor for an RV evaluation. The only bad thing about it is that you will not receive your first payment until 6 months after you get approved. It will take four to five months before you get written confirmation.
Most people are automatically turned down on initial application. I even had documented concussion causing drop-attacks, and I was still turned down on initial application. My thinking on this is that it’s possible that this may be used by cynical SSD employees as a weed-out method. As in, it takes so long to get the second hearing that someone must really need SSD or they won’t stick with the process for so long. My other thought on those with Ménière’s applying and getting denied on the initial application is lack of understanding of the disease. I do know for a fact that a slew of new judges were hired because many people were in my boat. I had to wait 3yrs for my second hearing. They’ve probably cleared the backlog now. Whatever you do, make sure you have a lawyer if you’re turned down on the initial application! They won’t get payed unless you receive SSD. The paperwork and correct information/wording of information is something only they know. Hopefully, you’ll be approved on the initial application. It’s not easy, but you’re not alone. Good luck.
Oops. I just found out that you can't get disability after you have retired. I retired from teaching college two years ago. This sucks, because a lot of retired people have to work part time jobs to pay the bills. That was my retirement plan, to work a couple nights a week playing music. Not happening, thanks to the Meniere's. This really pisses me off.
Do you remember that one guy who talks about the many ways in which Ménière’s Disease/myriad symptoms make life so much easier? Neither do I. This illness isn’t for the faint of heart. It will rob you of any illusions you have that you can control your life. I certainly never thought I’d be forced to go on disability. Then again, I never thought I’d start going deaf in my early twenties, only later to realize THAT was the easy part! We all arrive at this point at different ages. Nobody expects it to come to, “this,” and “this,” is different for us all. Most people on disability don’t make enough to live on, so at least you know you’re not alone.
The pond. While donning Mother's wreath, & her drapes. The green children of Woolpit, envisioned as triplets?! Or just your run-of-the-mill fusion of delight & hypochromic anemia? Who would have thought modern-day hieroglyphs could be so ambiguous? Social security disability insurance, onward.
How true....... Even with two small pensions it would be real tight. Thankfully my wife gets some retirement and we sold our house. We have been full time RVing for the last five years mainly due to the 'lack of funds'.......... BUT I really do enjoy the lifestyle and seeing the country!!