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I would like info on my benefits which I was granted Soc Sec on 31Aug06

Mr. Ginsberg,
I am a dwm 45, no children, no criminal record, no drug/alcohol problems. I have been diagnosed to have Major Depression, Generalized Anxiety, Schizoid Personality Disorders. I have had 23 jobs in the last ten years with several gaps of unemployment. I have had two psychological tests with conflicting results but were all deemed valid/reliable. I just had my ALJ hearing two months ago and in addition to my ongoing psychiatry treatment for the past two yrs, has ordered a mental CE, waiting for the results and a final decision. My treating psychiatrist this month sent a letter to my disability judge stating that I am a 'diagnostic puzzle' and have tried all pharmacological agent groups with no success. He also stated that he has been treating me for the past two yrs. He suspects I have a pervasive developmental disorder. He concluded the letter by stating that there have been no signs of malingering and I have been very compliant.

After my hearing, my disability rep. told me that I have a 50/50 chance of winning. My question to you Mr. Ginsberg, is what does the ALJ do when there are conflicting test results but they are all reliable/valid? Does he flip a coin to make a decision?

I becaume disabled and I am currently on social security disability – on my deceased husband's earnings. I want to know if I try to do some work now, how much money am I allowed to earn without affecting my benefits.

I cannot seem to find the answer

thank you

Ellen:
I discussed this question on my ssdAnswers.com blog. Here is the page:
http://www.ssdanswers.com/how-much-can-i-earn-and-still-collect-ssdi/
Hope this helps.
Jonathan

i was geting ssi to pay my medicare ins. now i turn 65 what happen

my name is phyllis ware and i;m 55yrs. old. i dont work because i can't. i suffer from depression,panic attacks,ibs,breathing problems,migraine headaches. i've even spent sometime in a hosptal for a partial mental break-down.i've been seeing a therapist for year's even while i was working.i my look fine, but i'm not i have all of my doctor's report's ,but i still get rejected. i receive ssi benefit's but i can hardly make ends meet. can you help.

Hi Jonathan,

Thank you for the pod cast. I am relived to her about the date of disability. I think I did the right thing by associating the date of shoulder surgery to my DOD. I am one of those who kept thinking I could get better… but things went down hill since 2007. I have been self employed my whole life, earned enough credits to qualify and by tagging the year I had my shoulders redone I think I have all the credits I need. I have a number of things degenerated vertebrae in the neck and back, psoriatic arthritis, ebv or chronic fatigue cytomegalovirus (undiagnosed but evident from test's and blood work). undiagnosed) Psoriasis from auto immune.

Will having the above illness and disabilities and now 55 years old help my case? Being self employed i am pretty sure I will need a lawyer… can you handle my case from where you are?

Many Thanks
Barry

Because I was self employed I know I will probably need a lawyer