My disability claim was denied. Advice?

[chadj162]

Hey guys, I applied for disability about 2-3 months ago. I'm a 25 year old male with severe crohns disease. Unfortunately it came back denied. It said my crohns was not severe enough and my mental state was fine. (its moderate to severe crohns that does not respond to medication...tried 7 drugs so far and I'm undergoing a clinical trial at the moment) (I have severe depression and anxiety...it said my mental state was fine....which it absolutely isn't by a long shot).

I am under the impression the first one is denied most of the time.
Do I hire an attorney? Appeal or file again? How expensive would it be to hire one? Are my chances decent?

And anything else you'd like to add.

Thanks for reading.

 

[ronroush7]

I am sorry for all you are going through. I would try to appeal. I don't know how much a lawyer would cost. Please let us know how you make out.

 

[Crohns11]

Mine also was denied, I have rang up and asked for a mandatory decision. I have got to wait 9 weeks for a phone call, then they tell me why they denied it, and then I will tell them why it is wrong. I'm just hoping I get it over turned, as I was wrongly assessed. I'm in the uk.

 

[ronroush7]

Mine also was denied, I have rang up and asked for a mandatory decision. I have got to wait 9 weeks for a phone call, then they tell me why they denied it, and then I will tell them why it is wrong. I'm just hoping I get it over turned, as I was wrongly assessed. I'm in the uk.

Hoping you get it overturned.

 

[Crohns11]

Thank you ronroush7 so do I.

 

[Pug Gamer]

I had the disability benefit PIP (In the UK) and asked for more help as I have 8 diagnosed illnesses, crohns with strictures is one of them. And they didnt give me more help, they took everything away and shut the case after the trial. So I now have lost my blue badge and am living literally on nothing. Im 29. All I was told to do is start a new claim and go through it again, which my health got so bad through the stress of it. I am not well enough to, but I would say the same thing if you can. If they say no, ask for change of decision then appeal, and finally go to trial. If its still a no. Start a new claim and try to ask docs, GIs etc for as much support as possible. It is true they like to think of mental health as worse and give more points. So try to get support from GP or therapist etc if you have one. I wish you luck and hope you have more help than ive got!

 

[ronroush7]

I had the disability benefit PIP (In the UK) and asked for more help as I have 8 diagnosed illnesses, crohns with strictures is one of them. And they didnt give me more help, they took everything away and shut the case after the trial. So I now have lost my blue badge and am living literally on nothing. Im 29. All I was told to do is start a new claim and go through it again, which my health got so bad through the stress of it. I am not well enough to, but I would say the same thing if you can. If they say no, ask for change of decision then appeal, and finally go to trial. If its still a no. Start a new claim and try to ask docs, GIs etc for as much support as possible. It is true they like to think of mental health as worse and give more points. So try to get support from GP or therapist etc if you have one. I wish you luck and hope you have more help than ive got!

I am sorry. Sending support

 

[Pug Gamer]

Thank you ronroush7. I wish I could say im a rare case in the UK. Also the points I had been given I wont even get next time as january there taking away all or a lot of points for 'needed help/aid'.

 

[Ihurt]

I would contact a lawyer. I have a disabling bladder condition ( Interstitial Cystitis) and when I applied for disability I was denied twice. Third time I Got a lawyer and fought it and went in front of a judge and was accepted. Do not give up. Get a lawyer who deals with disability claims. They usually wont take payment unless you win. They will go after back pay( from the time you start the case until the end) so that is where the lawyer will get his money from when you win the case.

 

[ronroush7]

I would contact a lawyer. I have a disabling bladder condition ( Interstitial Cystitis) and when I applied for disability I was denied twice. Third time I Got a lawyer and fought it and went in front of a judge and was accepted. Do not give up. Get a lawyer who deals with disability claims. They usually wont take payment unless you win. They will go after back pay( from the time you start the case until the end) so that is where the lawyer will get his money from when you win the case.

Congratulations, .

 

[Bunty]

PugGamer, have you contacted crohns & colitis uk for help? If I was you, and you haven't been in touch with them, then I'd definitely give them a call.
Bunty x

 

[ronroush7]

Good idea.

 

[Ihurt]

Thanks Ronroush!

Congratulations, .

 

[DougUte]

Hey guys, I applied for disability about 2-3 months ago. I'm a 25 year old male with severe crohns disease. Unfortunately it came back denied. It said my crohns was not severe enough and my mental state was fine. (its moderate to severe crohns that does not respond to medication...tried 7 drugs so far and I'm undergoing a clinical trial at the moment) (I have severe depression and anxiety...it said my mental state was fine....which it absolutely isn't by a long shot).

I am under the impression the first one is denied most of the time.
Do I hire an attorney? Appeal or file again? How expensive would it be to hire one? Are my chances decent?

And anything else you'd like to add.

Thanks for reading.

Chadj162

What country are you in? The process is different in the U.S. vs United Kingdom, etc..

In the U.S., Crohn's disease is not considered an automatic disability. (It should be as far as I'm concerned.) So I am not surprised that you got denied the first time. What I would do is find a disability law attorney. Most of them will not assess their fee unless you win your case. If you win, you get back pay from the day you filed for disability. In my wife's disability case that back pay was almost $15,000.00. The attorney's fee will be paid out of that back pay.

I think you have a decent chance, and a disability attorney will be able to tell you what your chances are. (If the chances are not good, they won't take your case.)

 

[ronroush7]

Mine also was denied

Try a lawyer.

 

[Crohns11]

I'm fighting mine, I'm waiting for a mandatory decision over the phone, I was told it could take up to 9 weeks, I have been waiting 2 weeks.
I am gonna fight this as far as I can. As I wasn't given a fair interview, my partner came with me, and what I said has been twisted. Could really do without the stress.

 

[ronroush7]

I'm fighting mine, I'm waiting for a mandatory decision over the phone, I was told it could take up to 9 weeks, I have been waiting 2 weeks.

Wish you the best

 

[Tubes]

I applied every 6 months and was denied each time for almost 3 years then randomly got approved.

 

[EmbraceJoy]

Did your application have professionals in all dimensions that report your diagnosis(es)? I've not applied myself, but I have been the professional the SSA reaches out to for info or a report of clinical status.

 

[Crohns11]

Well my claim was denied for the 2nd time, now they want me to go to a tribunal. I have no fight in me now, I'm not mentally or physically strong enough. I hope other people are more successful . I wish everyone good luck

 

[ronroush7]

Well my claim was denied for the 2nd time, now they want me to go to a tribunal. I have no fight in me now, I'm not mentally or physically strong enough. I hope other people are more successful . I wish everyone good luck

I am sorry.

 

[Ladybug12]

Well my claim was denied for the 2nd time, now they want me to go to a tribunal. I have no fight in me now, I'm not mentally or physically strong enough. I hope other people are more successful . I wish everyone good luck

Don't give up. It is my understanding that the first few tries are always denied. Maybe a disability lawyer can help you.

 

[Pug Gamer]

Im sorry youve had this outcome. I understand how you feel not wanting to go to tribunal. I wouldnt ever do one again. You can always wait for any new information (tests, results, meds etc) and start a fresh new claim. Anyone whos gone through it cant blame you for just wanting a rest from the stress and fight of it. Keep us updated if you do fight again. And i wish you well.

 

[Bufford]

Be persistent, collect the facts to support your case. I would highly recommend getting a medical certificate from a mental health practitioner together with a lawyer that specializes with disability claims. Its not easy to win over a case. Governments will play the game of wearing down applicants to the point of giving up, and have gotten good at this.

 

[Al X]

as usual the ramdomness of applying for disability support is rampant..it seems to me that it can hinge on the kind of day the assessor is having or even amount..as for my personal experience they seem to respond to formal third party ie consultant correspondence..it is difficult to get your GP to input [espescially these days] but I pushed that they have access to my medical records byway of in writing..it took me three attempts and the help of a local disability charity to get it pushed forward..the stress it generated was tangible..that alone should have been reason enough LOL..good luck mate alex

 

[Al X]

a lawyer would be great but what with the curb on re~embursing them it can be difficult to find..I reckon the best route if you haven't checked it out yet is a charity that specialises in disability issues..I'm in south east london and the first port of call would be cambridge house..what area are you in ?

 

[Crohns11]

I'm in the East Midlands, I was told I could make a fresh claim if things change which they have my dr now thinks I have fibromyalgia , so I'm going to make a new claim and see how this goes

 

[EastCoast902]

I'm in the East Midlands, I was told I could make a fresh claim if things change which they have my dr now thinks I have fibromyalgia , so I'm going to make a new claim and see how this goes

I assume it is a British gov't funded program...if so contact your MP...they should be able to help you thru the process- maybe speed things up.

I'm starting this route here in Canada.

 

[embyrr]

Don't give up. If you're not able to lead a self-sustaining life on your own, then the state is there to evaluate your condition and make sure you are taken care of. That is why we all pay taxes, to make sure you are taken care of. Don't give up.

 

[Grant]

Potentially good news. I'm waiting to be re-assessed & its a very worrying prospect. But this provides me with a bit of hope.
STL
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-37526324

Retests for Chronically Ill have been axed.
"Work and Pensions Secretary Damian Green said it was pointless to re-test recipients of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) with severe conditions and no prospect of getting better."

Now its too early to determine quite how this will pan out for Crohns patients but being its a chronic condition I'm hopefull.

 

[Al X]

Hey Grant...caught that on the news..we live in hope !!The stress of 12/18 monthly assessments does my nut in..and filling in that form..I tend to push the access to my medical notes..ie consent/confidentiality..plus copies of all doctors letters..notice your med list..I'm recently diagnosed but though I was well overweight losing 1/3 of my bodyweight has taken it well out of me..thus I'm vit D and iron deficient but hanging in there..kind of..my colitis is well active and still getting used to the 'urgency'..had my first green vegetables last night in ages and now reaping the outcome..also started clipper steroids this morning..am currently taking azathioprine 200mg and mesalazine 4800mg..I don't know if I am being overly optimistic but hoping to get a life in the not to distant future..as I am very it illiterate and don't know anyone personally I am struggling with the information aspect of the condition..thanks for your reply and hope my dyslexic/dyspraxic meanderings are not to confusing..hear soon? alex

 

[Grant]

Hey Grant...caught that on the news..we live in hope !!The stress of 12/18 monthly assessments does my nut in..and filling in that form..I tend to push the access to my medical notes..ie consent/confidentiality..plus copies of all doctors letters..notice your med list..I'm recently diagnosed but though I was well overweight losing 1/3 of my bodyweight has taken it well out of me..thus I'm vit D and iron deficient but hanging in there..kind of..my colitis is well active and still getting used to the 'urgency'..had my first green vegetables last night in ages and now reaping the outcome..also started clipper steroids this morning..am currently taking azathioprine 200mg and mesalazine 4800mg..I don't know if I am being overly optimistic but hoping to get a life in the not to distant future..as I am very it illiterate and don't know anyone personally I am struggling with the information aspect of the condition..thanks for your reply and hope my dyslexic/dyspraxic meanderings are not to confusing..hear soon? alex

No probs AI X, you're on the right forum for help & advice. Any questions will always be answered on here.
You take care
Grant

 

[Al X]

No probs AI X, you're on the right forum for help & advice. Any questions will always be answered on here.
You take care
Grant

don't know if I've done this right..lol..darn technology..just had another restless/sleepless night..rushing to the loo and pains in my pelvis a bit like brain freeze when you've gulped your ice cream cone..If you know what I mean..feeling a bit sorry myself I guess..hahaha..but your getting back cheered me up..to much information for your nearest but the forum is comprised of been there done that..thanks again grant..hear soon @lex

 

[afidz]

If you are in the US, you will get denied at least twice. Hire an attorney. They are only allowed to charge a contingency fee, meaning they don't get paid until you soon. They are limited by the law on how much they can charge. (25%, no more than 6 thousand)
Understand that it's a tough process. Some win with it a lawyer, but it's not recommended. It's a lot of work and you have to really understand what your doing and how the system works. It's not advised to go with out a lawyer. Your best chance at winning is in the third stage, at your getting I in front of a judge.
I just won, about a little over a month ago. It has taken me 56 months to win. (Almost 5 years). I should have won 2 years ago, but my judge was an ass. I appealed his decision to the appeals council and they agreed that he was wrong. I will be getting back pay for 51 months because the first 5 months aren't paid.

 

[Jensumm77]

I have applied for disability too (PIP in the uk) it's an awful process and causes too much stress for all applying, I have my assessment next week and I'm not hopeful even though I have crohns, a jejunostomy and fed through a tube because of intestinal failure, it's become a brutal system because of people abusing it, therefore those who really need the support get denied more often than not. I will appeal if denied but it takes months! I hope you're successful!

 

[Crohns11]

I have applied for disability too (PIP in the uk) it's an awful process and causes too much stress for all applying, I have my assessment next week and I'm not hopeful even though I have crohns, a jejunostomy and fed through a tube because of intestinal failure, it's become a brutal system because of people abusing it, therefore those who really need the support get denied more often than not. I will appeal if denied but it takes months! I hope you're successful!

I hope you are too, as I live in the U.K. Been turned down three times now, I have crohns, and underactive thyroid and possibly fibromyalgia , still waiting to see dr to confirm. I just haven't got any fight Left. Good luck with yours. Do not be pushed into saying things, i was. But good luck.

 

[Crohns11]

I'm in the east midland.

 

[ronroush7]

That's awful! Where abouts in the UK?? Asking as there is a group on Facebook called fightback4justice, they work voluntarily for people like us who are fighting to get what we deserve with benefits, they have a massive success rate with appeals and tribunals! They are based in Bury, Manchester, don't lose hope! That's what these clueless pen pushers want!

I agree. Don't give up hope.

 

[Jensumm77]

Good luck!

 

[ronroush7]

Keep us updated.