Basically the title. But for context:

I have AvPD, Avoidant Personality Disorder. I know I'm not the only hexbear who suffers from this, as it's been discussed here and mentioned a few times. It's pretty severe in my case, enough that the psychologist I am able to see (at a low-income clinic that accepts my state's version of medicaid) has been strongly suggesting that I apply for disability. And without going into detail, I don't know how I'm going to survive in the looming, relatively near future without aid. (I'm already on SNAP aka foodstamps and really struggling). So I applied for SSI. I have my first means-testing meeting this week. It will just be over the phone, but they say to have at least 2 hours of time for the interrogation. I'm deeply dreading it, and figured it couldn't hurt to see if anyone here maybe had some advice. I know I will be denied at first, that denial on the first attempt is a given for literally everyone since they want to weed out people who "aren't serious" about needing help. I know I'll have to reapply and appeal probably a few times and even then it's not exactly likely, especially since I'm applying with a psychological problem rather than physical. I do have some physical problems too, but they are secondary.

So... is there anything a person should know going in? Does anyone have experiences with the process that they'd care to share? Or hell, even just thoughts on how fucked up the whole thing is.

  • FidelCashflow [he/him]
    ·
    3 years ago

    I had a partner who was applying for disability with moderate impairment. She had Heart and joint problems from a genetic disorder. The rejected her at first out of hand, and end the end found a disability lawyer to evaluate her case and help her. That does seem to be pretty much required in my area but I dunno about what state you are in.

    • AncomCosmonaut [he/him,any]
      ·
      3 years ago

      I take it she was successful in getting it after hiring the lawyer? I would really hope so. I actually did talk to a disability lawyer (free phone consult) right before applying. He told me that he thought I had a decent chance of getting it, but apparently the way it works is that he only gets involved after the first rejection. So at this early point, he's not much help. Like you said, he also told me that having a lawyer is a necessity for navigating the ridiculously bureaucratic process. I was a little bit skeptical, considering I was being told by a lawyer that I needed a lawyer... but it looks like that is in fact the case.

      I'm in California. Thanks for the response.