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[zacchaeus21]

So i applied for ssd and ssi, and i got a letter sayin i have been denied ssd because i dont have enough work credits so i went to legal aid to get a lawyer and my dumb A** didnt no that I was only denied ssd not ssi. So my lawyer said she wanted to wait to get a decsion from that before she files anything. And then a week later ssi sent me to a mental examantion. I applied for depression/anxiety. I just got back on my meds. anyways the examaner asked me at the end of the appoinment if this is the first time i have applied i said yes and he said then it will take about 6 weeks for a response. I am just waiting. But do you think that it helped that i got a lawyer before i was offically denied. And is a 6 week waiting period normal?

[cuartio52]

Frankly I see no reason why you got yourself an attorney just because you were denied SSD. After all, you don't have enough work credits, do you? Nothing an attorney can do about that.

If your claim is approved you will now share 25% of your back benefits with your attorney who has done absolutely nothing. Most people wait until they file a request for a hearing before getting an attorney because there is nothing an attorney can do for you before the hearing that you can't do for yourself.

And yes, waiting six weeks for a decision after you've been to a consultative exam is entirely normal. In fact it might even take longer. You should know that the doctor you were sent to is not an employee of Social Security and he doesn't make the disability decision. He will write up his report of the exam and the disability examiner who sent you to him is the person who will make the decision. The disability examiner will take into account not only the medical evidence but also your age, education and work history in making the disability decision.

If your claim is approved you will be contacted by the claims representative in the social security office to update your file regarding income, resources and living arrangements before making any payments.

[hurst]

Getting a lawyer accomplished nothing. Anything you have to pay will be a waste of money. It is very difficult to get SSI for depression and anxiety unless you have been hospitalized twice,

6 week waiting period would be quick.

[gervaso81]

'I just got back on my meds'

you need to be treated and still be severely disabled..

if you were not under treatment at the time you applied, you should be denied. The meds take weeks to reach their full effect--you will need to be evaluate at your best while under treatment.

a lawyer doesn't help until you go to court...i don't know why legal aid wasted their time with you at this point.

[orson19]

Well, you have to work like 10 years in order to have enough credits for ssdi. As for ssi, almost anyone with a "severe" disability can get that. I think they did right in denying you though. Depression and Anxiety alone are not really disabilities.

Oh, and there is nothing an attorney can do about you not having the credits. Nothing an attorney can do about your psychiatric disorders not being traditional disabilities like paralysis, deafness, blindness, etc. things that typically get your approved right away.

Frankly, I think you are wasting your money going with an attorney. I think the best option for you would be to go through vocational rehab and to get a college education.