Thanks Judith... When I stopped working, last July, once I realized that the
SSDI folks were up to their old "stonewalling tricks," again, I IMMEDIATELY
contacted my congressman's office and while they contacted SSA, they exchanged
a coupla-three letters with various SSA people.
Nothing came of that because the congressman's aid didn't follow thru after
his initial exchange, and at the time I was getting hassled by both SSA and my
private long term disability carrier which, per their contract with me, they
were obligated to give me additional funding to equal a specific amount each
month determined by my last regularly paid salary (it wasn't enough to pay my
mortgage, but nonetheless, it WAS a decent amount, and I'm forever grateful
that I spent the $3.65 a month 10 years ago to get that long term disability
insurance!!!!)
My LTD had been MetLife, and suddenly they up and changed to Cigna Care about
3 months ago and I started getting letters from Cigna telling me I had to
PROVE I was disabled to THEM - despite MetLife forwarding 10 years worth of my
medical records to Cigna.
Soooooo.... for the past several months, I've been struggling to prove I
indeed have PD and am disabled not only with SSA/SSDI but ALSO my private long
term disability carrier.
I've lived with PD for almost 23 years - since my early thirties - and I'm so
very tired of continually being forced to PROVE I'm disabled to assorted
agencies.
Geee.... I wish I was a boozer or heavy into diving into a Sara Lee when I
felt frustrated and/or aggravated, 'cause right now I'd immediately head for
the bottle and the pastries. DARN - I watch my weight and fall asleep if I
drink!
Barb (VERY frustrated and aggravated) Mallut
[log in to unmask]
Barb Mallut
[log in to unmask]
----------
From: Parkinson's Information Exchange on behalf of Judith Richards
Sent: Monday, March 23, 1998 9:31 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN
Subject: Re: Do PWPs Have Nerve & Muscle Damage?
Wanda & Gail wrote:
> I don't know about in Calif, but in Virginia we got positive action that
way with my Dad. If a Senator writes SSDI on your behalf and asks them what's
up...it goes to another desk for review...they are less likely to give him/her
the run around.
Barb,
This may be the route to take. I don't know if my letter to the MP made
any difference or not. However, it seems more than coincidental that my
application was approved three weeks, which included the Christmas
holiday, after my letter was sent.
Also, a week after I received a letter of approval from CPP, I received
a letter from the MP asking if any action had been taken, and if not, I
was to contact him again. This particular MP has a reputation for
helping people, and I was only too glad to write a thank you letter to
him.
Hang in there. It's tough, I know.
Best of luck,
Judith
[log in to unmask]
PS - I'm working on a new computer with all the bells and whistles, so
now I have to learn to use them. Please forgive any errors.
