Does this sound right?

[shespeaks247]

I had an ALJ hearing for SSDI on January 6, 2006. I have a national representative. I am 52yrs. old, have several autoimmune diseases, fragmented bones, (and was diagnosed with ovarian cancer two months AFTER the hearing, but that's beside the point).

My representatives keep telling me that there IS a decision...but we are waiting on the decision being 'assigned to a writer'. I can't get anymore of an explanation out of them (I guess there isn't any more...and I may just be getting skeptical in my old age, lol). This seems like a really LONG time to wait on a written decision...any ideas on this from anyone? My attorney said the hearing went 'very well, as we expected', and I felt it went pretty well (except for a worker at the hearing offices sprayed room deodorizer AT me, and I had hives, welts, coudln't breath, had to bring in my nebulizer...and couldn't talk well what with the coughing I was doing...it was embarassing as well as frightening since I rarely leave my home because of my lung diseases) too.

Pam

[cindybear]

Hi,
Yes, Mine was 6 month wait then I got my senator and all envolved,,He got pissed and within a week , I had a denial in my hands...So some peeps do good with help with there senators and stuff, but my ALJ guy was just ********...Tough...But I ended up getting a fully fav by the GOV, in the next 2 years..I had to Appeall,,,Just never give up...So to answer ytour question,,It is very common..I think, there just overloaded..And if they got a case that is haed for them to give a yes or no. right away..They put it on the back burners...I don't know what they are waiting for...I know my guy,,Alls I had to do was do a congessional thingy and that was all it took for him yo deny me....Good luck on what you,,,If you have to,,Appeall and keep appealling, You will eventaually win,,,It took me 5 years...Hugs, Cindy

[shespeaks247]

Thanks Cindy. It's been over nine months now, and I have congressional involvement...but if it's a 'no' I won't be appealing, I have cancer on top of all my autoimmune diseases...and I feel four years of fighting just for an ALJ decision is quite enough.

My attorney was very good at the hearing...and I'm thankful for that...but as disabled as I was before I found out I had cancer (a MONTH after the hearing), I'm even moreso now. I think they just don't want to pay out the backpay....and I don't even care if I get THAT...I'd just like to not be a burden on my husband anymore.

Pam

[cindybear]

Thats even more reason to Appeal if they deny you...Cause at my court they denied me and they shouldn't have...That's what they said at the GOV. level..And yes they may not want to pay the back pay , but they have too..But I'll be praying that they say yes so you can concentrate on you and healing...Hugs, Cindy

[shespeaks247]

I understand what you are saying and thank you for your input. So..if I appeal up and die waiting, is the backpay awarded posthumously to my husband?

Pam

[Sammie]

The time is going to pass by anyway, so appeal it if you get denied again...

I don't know if benefits are given to a spouse if someone passes away while waiting...

I fought for 4 years and won benefits this year...KEEP FIGHTING!

[shespeaks247]

My very first application for SSDI was over four years ago. My ALJ hearing (after a reconsideration 'pause' in which I was told I was 'SEVERE'...guess they say that to all the girls :) , was January 6, 2006. And I've been waiting...I keep heaing that there 'is' a decision, but am waiting to be 'assigned to a writer'? This is confusing and when I ask my reps what that, exactly, means...they just keep saying that over and over. How long could it take to write something up? Is the writing and the people (I assume they must be legal people?) who write it different from state to state?

I know I'm probably just asking too many questions...but I have no one else to ask them for me.

Thanks Sammie, ...do you know how long it takes to appeal a no decision from an ALJ? Cuz if it's another two, three years, there's really not much sense in it for me.

Pam

[Sammie]

I know the judge has 60 days to prepare his decision, now the decision writers could be backed up and it can take up to a year just to get the letter.


I know it is very frustrating to wait, that's all we do is wait for them to move and do something with our cases...There is a very big employee shortage at the SSA, and there is a hiring freeze. They are moving into the paperless system and I am sure there are glitches with it that will also make time drag by for those who are on our end of it...

Keep checking and what I do is I call alternate phone numbers..Every two weeks I will either call my local office or the 800 number so I don't alway bug my CR...I just recently found the payment center phone number and called it today because that is where my folder is now...

Pam, don't give up...

[Purplebill]

There are no specific time limitations for an ALJ to write a decision. Callilng the 800 number is almost pointless as they cannot provide accurate answers to most questions. If your case is at the pre or post hearing level (and assigned to an ALJ), the only office that can provide you with accurate info is the ODAR (Office of Disability Adjudication and Review) which used to known as OHA (Office of Hearing and Appeals. If you have a specific ALJ assigned to your case you can ask for his or her hearing assistant.

[shespeaks247]

Thank you Purplebill for the info...but they said they will 'communicate' with my representative/attorney any info.

Pam