I think that is outdated information the new Biologic drugs have
greatly improved the outlook but you must have good medical insurance.
I think those statistics might have been true 10 or 15 years ago.
Personally I wouldn't give up quite yet.  I have severe, severe (my
Drs words) arthritis and Remicade put me into remission.  When my
arthritis started they were watching for lupus, scleroderma and RA, it
finally settled into RA.

Visit my website:
http://www.mzuschlag.com

The judge who awarded me SSDI stated I could
work 15 hours a week maximum.  At that time,
the cap on earnings/wages was $300/month.
It is now about $600, maybe more.

SSDI, unlike SDI, is not asset-dependent.   You
could be as rich as Bill Gates, own real property,
stocks and bank accounts and still be eligible for
SSDI.   Dividends, interest, rental income are
NOT considered "wages" for SSDI.

Absolutely not.  I never have.  With a 3-5 year
waiting list (in this county at least), it would be
impossible to accommodate everyone on
SSDI who wanted Section 8 assistance.

Some here are.  I retired on disability because
of ankylosing spondylitis - 1 of the more than
100 forms of arthritis.

And welcome to ASA.  Please pull up a chair
and stay as long as you wish.  Hopefully others
will be able to guide you to some of the sites
you are seeking.

... Contentsofthispostmaysettleduringshipping.

Here are some replies I received from the group when I asked about
advice for disability.  Its long...may wanna print it out!

Janet R

*********************
Don't know how much time or energy you have to put into this, but when
I
initially applied, I had first called and had the forms sent to me so
I
could fill them out in the comfort and privacy of my own home.  I also
did the interview with them by phone.   I got copies of all my medical
records myself and went through them in the evening while watching tv.
I put everything in date order and also highlighted anything that I
thought might be important for the disability caseworker to read.
With
the highlighting, this drew their attention to certain things that
were
very specific in backing up my disability claim.   I also made copies
of
EVERYTHING I sent them as they tend to "lose" a lot of things or say
they never received the stuff.   I also sent everything by certified
mail so they had to sign for it and such.  By having copies of
everything and having it all in date order, whenever they said they
didn't have something, I could pretty quickly find it and either fax
it
to them or resend it to them by mail.   This really seemed to keep
things moving and not stalling.   By also highlighting, it made their
job a bit easier as well.   It is time consuming and not something
that
can just be done overnight, but I found if I did this while watching
tv
at night, I could get a fair amount accomplished and it didn't seem
overwhelming.  I also think it helped me to get approved on my first
go
round without having to go see any other doctors or do anything else
extra.    I also had tremendous support from my doctors during this
time
as well.  I was very lucky to get approved on my first go round and
also
at such a young age. (I was only about 34 at the time)  I have also
done
the same thing everytime I come up for review.  By highlighing all the
important stuff, keeping it all in date order, etc,  it makes it
awfully
hard for them to claim they don't have certain things.

You have gotten some good advice from some of the others as well.
Good
luck to you and sure hope it all goes smoothly for you!!!

Donna G
**************************************
One thing that helped me was that I typed out a list of things I could
no longer do, such as getting into and out of the bath tub, standing
up
to prepare food or wash dishes, go up and downstairs more than twice a
day, etc. Also, how I had to modify daily tasks...using the microwave
instead of the oven, having dishes and pans at eye level instead of in
upper/lower cabinets.  You can think of many other things, I'm sure. I
also included many things at my employment that were causing me
trouble.
I brought this list to my RD and he incorporated it in my chart.
Remember it is the doctor's notes that SSA is interested in rather
than
just his openion that you are disabled.  You have to let him know
exactly what is going on in your life.  Another hint is when you get
the
forms from SSA to fill out, use a notebook or blank paper for your
first
draft.  There is not a lot of room on those forms so you will have to
be
concise without leaving anything important out.  Good Luck.

Ann
**********************************
Do    NOT    include any hobbies/pastimes which could in
the least indicate a talent that might be transformed into
a job.

Do    NOT   include any time you spend on a computer
at home.

Minimize your education/experience/talents.

Maximize your limitation.  "I can sit for only 30 minutes,
then must get up to prevent stiffness."   "My legs get
tired/buckle if I stand more than 15-20 minutes."
"I often fall asleep at my desk because of fatigue."

*******************************************
It would be helpfulful for you get copies of "all" of your records
from
hospitals, dictor's offices, clincs, etc.  This alco includes readings
of
all related X-Rays, blood tests, or any other related tests.  It is
also
very helpful to enlist the help of a lawyer.  He/she will be able to
determine if the evidence you have provided merits SSI consideration.

 You will need a photo ID, W2 forms from your last employer, and
details of
what types of physical limitations you have (in your own words).
****************************************************
Have you visited the SSA disability web site and read up on the
various programs and their requirements?

Here is a link to the SSA disability web site.

http://www.ssa.gov/disability/

Here is some general information.

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10153.html

Here is a list of frequently asked questions about SSA disability.

http://www.nosscr.org/faqind.html

Here is a disability planner.

http://www.ssa.gov/dibplan/

Here is information on utilizing outside doctors/psychologists should
the data you submit not substantiate your claim of disability.

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10087.html

Here is the "Red Book" that may answer many of your questions.

http://www.ssa.gov/work/ResourcesToolkit/redbook.html

Here is the "Blue Book" that will provide the criteria for determining
disability/eligibility. This is considered the "bible" of disability
determination for SSA/DDS.

http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/

Here is information on family benefits in case you have family living
with you.

http://www.ssa.gov/dibplan/dfamily.htm

If you also receive Workers Compensation, here is information on how
that affects SSA disability.

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10018.html

Here is information specifically if you are blind.

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10052.html

Here is information on the representative payee program if you have
difficulty with managing your own money.

http://www.ssa.gov/payee/

Here is the Medicare web site if you would like to learn more about
that aspect of being on SSA disability.

http://www.medicare.gov/

Depending how in depth you care to research, here is the operations
manual that all SSA employees must operate under. It keeps your DDS
representative on their his/her toes when you start citing poms. <g>

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/poms?OpenView

You will find that most state benefit programs tend to be income based
intended for those in need. Depending on your own personal financial
situation, you may want to research your state agencies that handle
Title 19. Here is information on the federal Title 19 program.

http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/ssact/title19/1900.htm

Or go to Yahoo and type in title XIX and your state name to find who
out more information for your local area.

If after reading all of the above and you feel overwhelmed, here is
information on having a representative assist you.

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10075.html

This should keep you busy for a couple hours. <g>

--
Kiyoshi
*********************************
the only suggestion i'd make is for you to make certain your physcian
writes "totally and permanently disabled" somewhere on the forms he
signs.
don't know where you live, and i suppose it shouldn't matter, but here
in
washington social security case workers will help you over the phone
with
the forms and will often even interview you over the phone, so that
you
don't have to drive to the ssa office.   hope it goes smoothly and
expeditiously for you.

kate
*******************************************************

Not true: 50% of the people with RA do NOT end up on Disability within
10 years of diagnosis. First, the definition of disability is at issue
here. What DOES happen is that you usually get rejected for Disability
and related types of insurance products( I am an Agent); that being the
case, wheoever floats this bogus stat about disability in 10 years
could very well be playing a game from the Underwiring point of view
justifying why the industry does not write or cover RA aplications. In
other words, they all get disabled in 10 years, wo we're justified in
not underwriting them. I had a policy made to exclude RA, but not its
complications. Ok, fair enough.
But still, watch the false buzz out there. It can ruin your day. Don;t
let it.

J

You CAN do some part-time work without sacrificing benefits. It's not
an EITHER/OR Zero Sum kind of situation. It's not black and white. It
has to do with how much money you earn, and what kind of work you do.
For instance, if one were claiming disbility of a physical type and
worked for 8 hours a week on a road crew, then any SSDI Judge ain;t
likely to see things the Appellant's way. Point being, you can work P/T
and not preclude benefit receipt.
J

Let me say this, though: without Enbrel, I would have been disabled.

J