Member-only story
What You Should Know About SSA Disability
Before You Need It
Let me start with this: I hope and pray you never have to apply for Social Security Disability. I really do. But if life ever sideswipes you with illness, injury, or a sudden change in ability, SSDI might end up being the only safety net between you and financial ruin.
When I applied, I didn’t know half of what I needed to know — even after working over 20 years at the IRS. You’d think I would’ve been ready, but nope. I was out here just like everybody else: confused, overwhelmed, and learning as I went.
That’s why I’m sharing what I’ve learned. Because once you’re in the thick of it, it’s not the time to be Googling, guessing, or hoping for the best.
I Got Approved the First Time (But Don’t Count on That)
Let me be upfront: I was approved on my very first try. And I don’t take that lightly because that is not the norm. Most people get denied the first time. A whole lot get denied again on appeal. Then you wait for a hearing — which can take a year or longer — and hope for the best.
I didn’t just fill out a form and get a “yes” in the mail. I had to submit years of medical records, document every symptom, and provide proof that my condition had made working nearly impossible.
