Frustrations with Disability Pay - 6 Months!

Nothing quite takes one's breath away like hearing their income is ending. I received a letter in January 2017 stating my disability case was reviewed and it was determined that I was no longer disabled. I found this particularly interesting because my health had not changed in the past few years.

I immediately contacted an attorney who specialized in social security disability. She explained that it is not unusual for Social Security Disability (SSD) to terminate coverage after 5 years in hopes that the individual won't appeal. I personally think this is terrible. I understand wanting to save money and cutting waste. However, causing stress to folks who are ill is cruel! The attorney helped me complete paperwork to appeal and recommended getting letters from my doctors.

My disability coverage ended in April. In May, I received a letter from SSD stating my appeal had been reviewed and it was determined that I was still disabled. Hallelujah! I was grateful that this conclusion was determined quickly.

I made the assumption that my monthly SSD pay would automatically return to my checking account. In June, when I hadn't received a deposit, I called the number listed on the letter. After multiple phone calls and several transfers I spoke to someone named Mr. Cooper. I was told that my case had not been processed. He would send it to processing.

What would have happened if I did not call? Why did they not automatically process or state in the letter to call? Mr. Cooper said the issue should be resolved within 30 days.

Next month, July, no deposit from SSD. I called SSD. I left multiple messages for Mr. Cooper and others at our local SSD office asking for a call back. No one called back.

In August, I called the national SSD office. I explained my situation. I was informed that my local office is supposed to process my pay, but since so much time had already overlapped they would intervene. I was also told because it was a financial hardship they will prioritize my payment.

At this point, I was praising God that I was making some progress. My checking account balance was drying up. I believed the wait would soon be over.

After a week with no deposit, I called the national SSD office back. I was rudely informed that I needed to have patience. I waited 2 more weeks and still no deposit. This time when I called, I was informed that the "priority" track takes 2 months and I should hopefully receive payment by the end of October! I explained that I had bills to pay and they don't come with a 5 month or 6 month no-interest payment options. I was told to go to the local office and they can cut me a check.

My husband drove me to our local SSD office. I met with a very nice individual who explained that he had never heard of cutting a check and got his supervisor. I finally met Mr. Cooper face to face. Mr. Cooper first denied that he ever spoke to me. Thankfully, I had documented the day and time I spoke to him. He went back to his computer and returned to say yes, he had sent an email to processing but that person never advanced the file. This meant that she had not done her job for 3 months! Why are they getting paid?!

Mr. Cooper informed me that the local office does not cut a financial hardship check while payment is waiting. I am told to have patience. PATIENCE?! I want to scream, "How about you give me your paycheck for the next 6 months and then come to me for your pay and I tell you have patience!" How many people can go 6 months expecting to be paid and not receive anything? I had social security tax taken out of every paycheck since I was 16. I didn't wait to pay my taxes.

Finally, on October 16 after 6 months without pay, I received a deposit from SSD. Who knew it would be this hard?!