Alenee Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 I have a friend in her 50's, no kids at home, who appears to have a chronic illness (I posted about her last year asking for help in getting a diagnosis) but so far is still undiagnosed. She started getting sick about four years ago and has slid downhill ever since. When I talk to her via phone, she can only say a few words and you can instantly tell that it is taking everything she has to attend to conversation. She's been through tons of doctors but none can figure out the diagnosis. That, I think is the major problem....no diagnosis...lots of wait and see or new trials, AND stuck trying to get help via the state. She doesn't have any money. She cannot work. Her dh left her about seven years ago. She called me last night to ask for help. I'm going to see her Friday to record her (She knows this) so she doesn't have to repeat herself. I will also take notes. Her biggest needs are: a) help selling her house....she's out of money. b) getting a social worker. We're in WA state so if anyone has experience or knows someone who does, getting this kind of help for an UNDIAGNOSED person, please respond. This is so hard. I know I can help her get her house sold but the social work/welfare stuff is a big unknown for me. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 Does she have a primary care doctor? I would start by asking him to refer a social worker - perhaps someone at the hospital where he has privileges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alenee Posted September 4, 2012 Author Share Posted September 4, 2012 I'm certain she does. I'll ask if she's done this. Thank you! Because it is so hard for her to talk for long periods or even think for that matter, she hasn't been able to go to bat for herself but something in the back of my mind says she did try to get a social worker but was denied. I think it has everything to do with being undiagnosed. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alenee Posted September 4, 2012 Author Share Posted September 4, 2012 Does her doctor agree that she can't work? I don't know...... Another question to ask her. Please keep them coming. THIS is the help I need. I have no idea what it takes to get a person on state assistance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mergath Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 She should contact a disability attorney. They usually work for a percentage of the disability payments, so she wouldn't need money to pay the attorney up front. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissad2 Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 (edited) She should contact a disability attorney. They usually work for a percentage of the disability payments, so she wouldn't need money to pay the attorney up front. :iagree: Because most people are denied disability the first time they apply. The attorney will go to bat for her and when she gets her disability she will get "back pay" which is her disability pay from the date she first applied. The attorney will get usually 1/3 of this as payment. Edited September 4, 2012 by melissad2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 I don't know anything about the specifics you are asking about, but I would think that even if they can't come up with a diagnosis, they could still determine that she is disabled and what the specific nature of the disability is (cognitive impairment or whatever). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dobela Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 If she is out of money, go thru the process to apply for food stamps and all that. In our state there is an Adult Services that is similar to child services where social workers try to match services to adult clients. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourcatmom Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 :iagree:Because most people are denied disability the first time they apply. The attorney will go to bat for her and when she gets her disability she will get "back pay" which is her disability pay from the date she first applied. The attorney will get usually 1/3 of this as payment. Is this the case even with a diagnoses? I applied 2 months ago and have 3 diagnoses so far. I am hoping I will get approved. Now I am worried that maybe I won't simply because it's my first time applying. Is this really true? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissad2 Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 Is this the case even with a diagnoses? I applied 2 months ago and have 3 diagnoses so far. I am hoping I will get approved. Now I am worried that maybe I won't simply because it's my first time applying. Is this really true? My mom and her brother both had multiple diagnosis with multiple dr statements and both were denied several times. YMMV. Most people I know that have applied were denied the first time for one reason or another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourcatmom Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 My mom and her brother both had multiple diagnosis with multiple dr statements and both were denied several times. YMMV. Most people I know that have applied were denied the first time for one reason or another. Does it depend on the diagnoses? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alenee Posted September 4, 2012 Author Share Posted September 4, 2012 Thank you for all of the replies. This is so helpful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alenee Posted September 6, 2012 Author Share Posted September 6, 2012 I've been compiling a list of questions for the meeting with my friend on Friday. Are there any other ideas y'all think I should ask? I have others that have come to mind. As I'm typing them, all I can think about is how draining this meeting is going to be for her. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jpoy85 Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 Is this the case even with a diagnoses? I applied 2 months ago and have 3 diagnoses so far. I am hoping I will get approved. Now I am worried that maybe I won't simply because it's my first time applying. Is this really true? Does it depend on the diagnoses? Yes its true. MOST people are denied the first time no matter what the diagnosis. Usually you have to go to court to be approved. OP- I would get on your county's Job & Family Services site and look up the services they offer. Food Stamps/Cash Assistance, etc. If you go apply you will get a caseworker and they SHOULD point you in a direction for other means of help. Most hospitals have social workers and you can contact them as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourcatmom Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 Yes its true. MOST people are denied the first time no matter what the diagnosis. Usually you have to go to court to be approved. OP- I would get on your county's Job & Family Services site and look up the services they offer. Food Stamps/Cash Assistance, etc. If you go apply you will get a caseworker and they SHOULD point you in a direction for other means of help. Most hospitals have social workers and you can contact them as well. Thank you. Not the best news. I have no idea how I will make things work if I can't go back to work and I don't get approved. :confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jpoy85 Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 Thank you. Not the best news. I have no idea how I will make things work if I can't go back to work and I don't get approved. :confused: I would make sure to keep going to any and all dr appointments and making sure your DR is on the same page. You can contact a disability lawyer even now and they can help you from where you are in the process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourcatmom Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 I would make sure to keep going to any and all dr appointments and making sure your DR is on the same page. You can contact a disability lawyer even now and they can help you from where you are in the process. I do. I need the help. I am really thinking the lung issue is what might get the approved but the others I don't know. I will look into this. I would hate to wait another two months and then be denied. It's all ready been a long wait. I hope the OP is able to get help for her friend. Sorry to hijack...I really needed to get some info on this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jpoy85 Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 I do. I need the help. I am really thinking the lung issue is what might get the approved but the others I don't know. I will look into this. I would hate to wait another two months and then be denied. It's all ready been a long wait. I hope the OP is able to get help for her friend. Sorry to hijack...I really needed to get some info on this. I know OH has a list of what is considered disability on their SS website. That doesnt mean if its not on there you are denied. I would think your state has a similar site with info. Sorry to hijack. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarymelon Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 She needs to go to DSHS and tell them that she needs to go on GAU/Disability Lifeline. They will help her find a primary care dr. to treat her for the disabling problem. This also provides some living expenses. If the problem is longer term and she is not able to work, she should start the process of applying for social security disability; she will likely need a lawyer for this and plan on it taking 2 years or so to go through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alenee Posted September 6, 2012 Author Share Posted September 6, 2012 She needs to go to DSHS and tell them that she needs to go on GAU/Disability Lifeline. They will help her find a primary care dr. to treat her for the disabling problem. This also provides some living expenses. If the problem is longer term and she is not able to work, she should start the process of applying for social security disability; she will likely need a lawyer for this and plan on it taking 2 years or so to go through. What kind of help is there (usually) while a person waits? I know in WA one must have a residence. She's hoping to sell her house, I believe, but that can only carry her so far and there's no telling how long that might take either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourcatmom Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 She needs to go to DSHS and tell them that she needs to go on GAU/Disability Lifeline. They will help her find a primary care dr. to treat her for the disabling problem. This also provides some living expenses. If the problem is longer term and she is not able to work, she should start the process of applying for social security disability; she will likely need a lawyer for this and plan on it taking 2 years or so to go through. I don't understand this. If there is a list of conditions on the State Website, which there are for California as well, why is it so hard and take so long if you have multiple doctors and test confirming that is what you have to get the help you need? 2 years is crazy to me. :confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourcatmom Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 What kind of help is there (usually) while a person waits? I know in WA one must have a residence. She's hoping to sell her house, I believe, but that can only carry her so far and there's no telling how long that might take either. I really hope she gets the help she needs. She is lucky to have a friend help her. I find this this all very scary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alenee Posted September 6, 2012 Author Share Posted September 6, 2012 I don't understand this. If there is a list of conditions on the State Website, which there are for California as well, why is it so hard and take so long if you have multiple doctors and test confirming that is what you have to get the help you need? 2 years is crazy to me. :confused: I would guess for two reasons: 1) other people's money doesn't come cheap and 2) tons of fraud, unfortunately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alenee Posted September 6, 2012 Author Share Posted September 6, 2012 I really hope she gets the help she needs. She is lucky to have a friend help her. I find this this all very scary. Thank you. I'm scared to death I'll make matters worse or give her false hope. But she asked for my help and I suddenly have the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Nyssa Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 The idea that a disability lawyer takes a cut of the disability money-- that makes me uncomfortable. Is that really how it has to work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenbrdsly Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 I have no advice to offer. Only :grouphug: :crying: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mergath Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 The idea that a disability lawyer takes a cut of the disability money-- that makes me uncomfortable. Is that really how it has to work? Unless you can find one that will work pro bono, or you have the money to pay them up front. People do like to get paid for their work, after all. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindergretta Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 Unless you can find one that will work pro bono, or you have the money to pay them up front. People do like to get paid for their work, after all. ;) Yup. I mean, you want an attorney who specializes in disability and social security law, not one who does a hodge podge of everything and none of it overly well. So if s/he specializes in disability and social security, s/he needs to be paid somehow. And generally, the risk is on the attorney since many of them take a portion of the pay out if they win for you and get nothing if they don't. I would wager many (most?) people fighting to get disability payments aren't rolling in $$ to pay an attorney. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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