social security disability questions

[blondie58]

Hi all and I'm sure that someone has some great replies for me.

I am currently employed with the US Postal Service as a city carrier, and have done my job for fourteen years now, ten years since my diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

I am fantasizing of the idea of quitting if I can sooner, rather than later, for many various reasons.

The post office is coming out with more automation, so that our hours that we now spend inside putting the mail in route order won't be as lengthy. Their objective is for every route to be 6 1/2- 7 hours on the street. I don't think that my body can handle that in the extreme heat or the cold. They also are going to turn most of our routes into all walking, due to the cost of gas. I am currently working inside at the present time, recovering from rotator cuff surgery and just to walk as much as I do inside to retrieve vacations holds, etc., leaves me with a really gimpy walk. People always comment on how I seem to be walking with a limp.

I did have an accident a couple of weeks ago- I was feeling like my MS was active and I turned too sharp into the gate and scraped up the side of the van that I was driving. I honestly don't know how did it, but my eyes must not have been working properfly. I am now worried about causing an accident in traffic or even worse, hitting a pedestrian.

I have a big problem with fatigue. And the fatigue that is caused by ms is indescribable- to the bone, so I am seriously thinking of filing for SS disability first, and then I can apply for postal disability. I know that it can be difficult to get, so does anyone have any suggestions?

Thank you in advance for any suggestions. :-)

[hyphenate]

1. It can be difficult to get the benefits

but as long as one persists, it can be done. Something like 75% of all first applications are rejected. You are going to need the help of a lawyer to do the persistant work. Your doctor is going to be contacted for all the information, and unless your doctor says you are incapable of working at your level of pay, you will be repeatedly rejected.

After the first appeal, an application usually goes to an Administrative Law Judge, where you will go to do an in-person interview.

I'm surprised you are applying for SS DI--as a postal worker, aren't you entitled to a pension from the post office? A friend of mine lost her leg to diabetes not that long ago, and she is getting a pension.

I used Binder and Binder for my case. I had plummeted once again into depression (which I still haven't shaken all that much) and with that and other maladies, it was difficult for me to do much of anything. I would not have been capable of follow-through no matter how much I would have liked. On the other hand, my SIL did a lot of work on her own, but she wasn't in the same state of mind as I am.

Good luck. I would also suggest you do research online, perhaps through a google search to begin with--don't believe everything you come across, but there are quite a few legitimate sites out there, too.

[blondie58]

2. thank you, hyphenate for all of these helpful suggestions

and yes, I get a pension- after twenty years and how much you get increases with the more years that you put in. But it is not enough to live on. I am just so tired and work is such a struggle. As it is right now, I've been handling it, but my routes are relatively manageable. Come next year, I just do not see myself spending six or seven hours out in the heat or the cold, neither of which is helpful to my condition.
Fatigue is one of my biggest problems. Last week when I came home, I was so fatigued, that the thought of suicide actually crossed my mind.

I have a friend whose husband is an ss lawyer, so I've got him on my side.

Thanks again.