Reapplying For Disability For Myself – Penniless Parenting

A couple of years ago, I applied for disability and was approved for 67 percent.

That broke down as:
30% psychiatric,
20% for EDS,
20% for fibromyalgia,
20% for obesity,
and 10% for hypothyroidism.

In their math, that adds up to 67%.

I was also approved for 65% inability to work and given a small disability stipend.

From the start I heard mixed advice about appealing. Some people said to fight for more, others warned I could lose what I already had. I could hire a lawyer, but their fee would come out of my disability payment, so it did not seem worth it.

Since then, so much has changed.

I saw the EDS specialist in my country. Before that I had only seen orthopedists and rheumatologists. She wrote a five page summary of my disabilities.

My EDS has worsened. I often need physical therapy two to three times a week, and the tiniest things can dislocate or sublux my pelvis. My physical therapist wrote a letter, and my rheumatologist wrote a detailed letter about how severely EDS affects my life and what special services I need because of my limited function.

My rheumatologist also suspects ankylosing spondylitis and documented that, along with a diagnosis of Sjögren’s, another autoimmune disease.

I have since been diagnosed with asthma, which can also qualify for disability. I submitted that paperwork.

I now live with chronic headaches that affect my ability to work. I was hospitalized twice due to idiopathic intracranial hypertension. I submitted the hospitalization records and the pain clinic paperwork.

I saw a neurologist who specializes in EDS. He wrote a five page report about my neurological symptoms, his differential diagnoses, and a long list of tests he wants me to do. I have not finished all the tests, but I decided not to wait months before applying.

I submitted my tilt table test showing orthostatic intolerance.

I submitted paperwork from my hematologist about severe anemia and the extreme exhaustion it causes, even after iron infusions.

I need just 10% more in the psychiatric category to reach the next threshold. I asked a disability lawyer friend for advice, updated my psychiatrist’s letter accordingly, and my psychiatrist issued a new version.

My therapist, a psychologist, also wrote her impressions in addition to my diagnosed borderline, complex PTSD, and ADHD. She wrote that I appear to have dissociative amnesia and an unspecified dissociative disorder because of how badly I dissociate, especially when I am stressed about needing to work. She also described how work can trigger spirals that make me nonfunctional. It was hard to read, but also validating to see it all on paper.

Altogether I submitted 15 documents requesting a reassessment for worsening disability (the maximum you can submit).

My goal is to increase my psychiatric percentage. With 40% I become eligible for a range of special services, including line cutting privileges, which I genuinely need because of physical pain, even though the threshold is based on psychiatric percentage.

A higher overall percentage would also mean tuition coverage for my college degree which would help because it is expensive.

If I am approved for a higher inability to work, the stipend would increase too. That would make a real difference. Working has become very challenging for me physically, with pain and exhaustion, and mentally. I am spending much more on physical therapy and basic conveniences just to function, so extra funds would help.

There are also special services my rheumatologist and psychologist requested to help me run my household, like extra funds for cleaning help. I applied for what I think translates to mobility, which is financial assistance for car expenses for people who cannot rely on public transportation. Both my rheumatologist and physical therapist wrote that public transportation injures me.

I do not know what will happen.

They may reject it. They may not. They might ask for the MRI results and the additional tests the neurologist ordered. I do not know.

If I am not approved with all of this documented, I do not know what will. Maybe then I will hire a lawyer. We will see.

For now I am praying, crossing my fingers, and sending good thoughts to the universe that I am approved for an increase. I will gladly accept all the good thoughts, vibes, prayers, etc… from anyone reading this.

I will update you when I know more.

In the meantime, thanks for reading.