UPDATE: They cheated me

I received my dispensation and have to file yet ANOTHER appeal. Upon review, it was determined I should only receive 1 year coverage for my disability. And to prepare you, typical dispensation is anywhere from $800 to $1400.

I also learned my child qualifies for dispensations as a minor to cover his needs during the time I was sick. The funds are for food and clothing. Make sure to file for any minors you support shortly after your claim has been processed.

Hopefully I’ll have another update in a couple of months regarding my appeal. Best of luck to you all.

UPDATE: I WON!

It took 2.5 years to have the hearing and 3 years to receive the confirmation letter, but I finally won my disability claim. I fired my attorney in 2017 (they were doing less than I was to fight for my case). I pursued the claim on my own and won! Below is a pdf I used as a “Brief to the Court.” Make sure to send this brief prior to your hearing and take a copy of the brief with you the day of the hearing. I have removed names, locations and the text in color indicates the information is specific to my illness. You should update the areas in color with your information. Click the link, Brief to the Court, below to download the pdf.

Brief_to_the_Court

Also look up SSA Bluebook Adult listings to reference the correct conditions in your brief.
SSA Disability Blue Book

OLD POSTING (contains helpful links)
I’m still feeling my way through this one, but here is some information on what you need to submit when filing for disability. File as soon as you can. I waited 7 months into my illness to applied for unemployment and the unemployment interviewer informed me I should have applied for disability. I had no idea I could do that.

Federal Disability requires a person’s condition is anticipated to last more than 12 months. If you anticipate recovering before 12 months, then you don’t qualify.

Short term disability usually covers conditions that last around 2 months. Short term disability is at the State level (some States do not offer short term disability).

DOCUMENTS THAT HELP YOUR CASE

Have your treating physician fill out the following two documents. Most doctors do not want to deal with disability claims and the paperwork is lengthy, so offer to pay them for their time if they turn down your first request.
Residual Functional Capacity evaluation
RFC information

Medical Source Statement
Medical_Source_Statement.pdf

DISABILITY PROCESS
1. FILE. Know that federal disability claim approval rates are around 30-35% for first time filing. This takes 3-9 months with medical and psychiatric evaluations (ordered and paid for by social security).
2. APPEAL. Appeals are approved only 10-15% of the time. It can take up to six months to receive word on the appeal.
3. HEARING. If your appeal is denied, request a hearing before an ALJ (administrative law judge). About 60% of all disability claimants hearings result in approval.

To read more on the topic, here are two links to Lyme related disability rulings.
MOORES v. COLVIN
Disability Rulings