> Urban legend is that after the third time they just magically approve it.
I can tell you that does not happen magically. I went through the entire process and still got denied.
You first apply for SSDI and they keep asking for records. Then they have some doctor look at you (at least in my case). The doctor actually got upset with me for taking too long to answer his questions. They also had a psychologist ask me some questions too. Finally they deny you the first time (which is actually to be expected).
You then have your case re-reviewed (your first appeal), and get to see the same exact doctor yet once again. They ask for the newest records from your doctor and you have to fill out some of the same forms again. After that I got denied again. Apparently this part differs from state to state, and some just skip this re-review and go straight to see a judge.
Finally you get to have the portion where you sit with a judge (your second appeal in many states). I even had a lawyer for this part (the law firm wouldn't even help me prior to my first denial). There is an expert in the room to say if you are able to work or not. The expert actually said everything in my favor, and told the judge I was unable to work at any job. This judge still denied me.
After this you can try to fight it in federal court essentially saying that the judge was wrong, but you only have a 1% chance of winning. At this point you just have to reapply and start the whole process over.
The problem is, when you have an actual chronic illness and are seeing one of the top doctors in the country for it with loads of evidence, it doesn't matter to social security. I would rather be able to work than go through this process. Trying to navigate the process of what to do and what not to do to please the social security gods is especially hard with little energy and high brain fog some days. I was so exhausted initially, I didn't do much research and just filled out everything the best I could, which apparently was not in my favor.
I can tell you that does not happen magically. I went through the entire process and still got denied.
You first apply for SSDI and they keep asking for records. Then they have some doctor look at you (at least in my case). The doctor actually got upset with me for taking too long to answer his questions. They also had a psychologist ask me some questions too. Finally they deny you the first time (which is actually to be expected).
You then have your case re-reviewed (your first appeal), and get to see the same exact doctor yet once again. They ask for the newest records from your doctor and you have to fill out some of the same forms again. After that I got denied again. Apparently this part differs from state to state, and some just skip this re-review and go straight to see a judge.
Finally you get to have the portion where you sit with a judge (your second appeal in many states). I even had a lawyer for this part (the law firm wouldn't even help me prior to my first denial). There is an expert in the room to say if you are able to work or not. The expert actually said everything in my favor, and told the judge I was unable to work at any job. This judge still denied me.
After this you can try to fight it in federal court essentially saying that the judge was wrong, but you only have a 1% chance of winning. At this point you just have to reapply and start the whole process over.
The problem is, when you have an actual chronic illness and are seeing one of the top doctors in the country for it with loads of evidence, it doesn't matter to social security. I would rather be able to work than go through this process. Trying to navigate the process of what to do and what not to do to please the social security gods is especially hard with little energy and high brain fog some days. I was so exhausted initially, I didn't do much research and just filled out everything the best I could, which apparently was not in my favor.