My "working after being declared disabled" story somewhat
parallels Sandra's experience with SSDI.

When I returned to work (out of my home in the online industry( my
MD AND my neurosurgeon told  SSDI that I was still disabled and
would continue to be in the future.  However.  SSDI took away ALL
the benefits I'd earned (including Medicare, making it necessary
for me to be out-of-pocket each month for my health plan-HMO
membership to the tune of $162 a month for medical care,  plus any
co-payments due for treatment or drugs.  I also had to reimburse
the HMO for the 5 months that SSDI decided I was responsible  due
to my being "CURED" of Parkinson's Disease!  I kid you not - - -
that is what SSDI stated my condition to be!!!

It took my getting an SSDI specialist attorney (and if you're on a
second go round when you previously had been declared disabled by
SSDI, few SSDI specialist attorneys out there taking to take a
case on contingency for an applicant who's already "been there
done that,"  with SSDI.

Ultimately I got a terrific attorney service out of Chicago (thank
goodness for email!) who flew out to L.A. on the day I went back
to SSDI court 18 months after being "CURED" (I only WISH!!!!!) and
she was WONDERFUL!

I was returned all benefits and was awarded the amount I was out
of pocket (in excess of $9000 for the SSDI and another $4000 for
Medicare.

The kicker of this whole miserable and debilitating experience was
the fact that about 3 months *AFTER* SSDI had deposited the back
payments award to my checking account,  they up and took over
$4000 back!    If THAT isn't enough,  they went into my personal
checking account yet ANOTHER time ad took another $4000 a coupla
months after the first time the hit my checking account!

I mean they LITERALLY went into MY PERSONAL checking account and
refunded to THEMSELVES!!

Upon phoning SSDI (in a total state of shock) to find out WHY and
HOW they took momey out of my checking account, I was more of less
told "Because."   It was laso suggested that IF I din't cooperate
with SSDI, I would once again find myself without any SSDI
benefits!

I recognize it when I saw the handwriting on the way, and
begrudingly accepted that SSDI was doing some hanky-panky
SOMERWHERE In that behemoths, disorganized enterprise and I shut
up thereafter/

Was I angry?  Is the Pope Polish?

Barb Mallut
[log in to unmask]

From: Sandra Norris <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Thursday, May 18, 2000 2:13 PM
Subject: Re: Returning to work after disability?


>Hi Camilla,
>
>Yes I was awarded disability and tried going back to work for
awhile.  I was
>almost penalized for the time I worked.  After my situation was
evaluated
>social security decided not to ask for a return of funds.  I did
try working
>for a year, but then the pd was becoming debilitating to the
point there was
>no ONE day alike.  I have not worked for 7 years now. Hope this
helps.
>
>Sandra Norris
>"Faith is the daring of the soul to go farther than it can see."