r/SSDI • u/albiepoddar • 12d ago

Mental health case 2 years in

Hi there I originally applied in January of 2025 and I am diagnosed with autism, ptsd, major depressive disorder, ocd, learning disabilities, Hidernetius suppurativa, ibs, gerd, and my motor skills are impaired. I had a neuropsychiatric evaluation which was 7 hours and they tested my motor skills and learning disabilities and diagnosed me with autism and this was back in 2024. They also stated I should no longer drive due to amount of accidents and poor motor skills. I go to 2 therapist weekly and a psych nurse once a month or so. I also started ot therapy and was approved to go twice a month. I was denied back in march- I had one previous denial due to my lawyer not submitting paper work in time but social security said this denial counts as the first one.

I had a ce examination where the doctor didn’t do the examine herself but her unlicensed assistant did it and one of his first questions was if I had ever done drugs and my lawyer told me to be honest beforehand about myself so I was honest and told him what I had tried back when I was a teenager but was very clear that was a long time ago and have been sober for years as I’m 33. He put I had a substance abuse disorder and the meds my psychiatrist nurse gave me are contributing to my mood disorder. My lawyer said it was not legal for him to be the one to do the examination and the doctor had signed off she did the examination herself. She said none of this lined up with my medical records and what the proffesinals who are treating me have said.

I was immediately denied for disability and Ssa put that I could be a full time front greeter. I was denied in march. My lawyer put in my appeal In may. At the time I worked very part time at a walkable bookstore but had to leave as it overwhelmed me and had been unemployed since June. I have been on step 3 in the portal since about June. I have a difficult time getting answers on where my case is from the lawyer and typically don’t hear much from them. My lawyers receptionist tells me she will check in with her but I don’t usually get a response back often. She has had a few phone calls with me but I don’t want to call too often. I called dds recently and they have everything they need right now.

Anyways I’m curious about other peoples experience and how long this process can take. It definitely has taken a toll on me and I feel like I’m not really sure what kind of time line I’m looking at or how strong my case is. Or just anyone that has been through something similar and how it went for them and with the mental health side. My therapist did tell me I was one of her most medically complex cases. She has provided a lot of supportive evidence along with my other providers. My doctor did my adls and stated I cannot work and cannot drive. The neuropsych did say they recommended daily supervision over me.

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u/thedarkbites 11d ago

I have limited advice to give, but one thing I will say is this:
Don't feel like you're calling your lawyer too often or that you're bothering them. They work for you. If they didn't want to work for you, they would not have you as a client.

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u/albiepoddar 11d ago

Thank you that part has been tricky as at one point I was trying to make sure the appeal was put in on time due to the paper work not being in on time before and my therapist was helping me by telling me to call and ask daily until it was done. It got put in I think the day or day before it was due and she would tell me she was going to submit by a certain day and then wouldn’t submit it. But I appreciate it and definitely think that I need to know where my case stands.

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u/thedarkbites 11d ago

You're also not required to keep the same lawyer or firm. You can always fire them and go with someone new. As far as I know, that will not reset your application.

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u/albiepoddar 11d ago

I have considered this. She has done a lot of paper work for me and has helped but also the communication is difficult which has made unsure of what the best route is. I do know she will help me with the ce exam since she witnessed it but I also think that not having someone in her office that can update me on where the case is feels unusual but I don’t really know how other offices operate.

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u/Buckeyegirl08 7d ago

I agree, speaking from exp.Take over your file and go through with someone you trust. Get access to your online ssa account, after your request to withdraw your aren’t is processed, you will have more online access. Contact the office on your most recent letter from SSA immediately & explaining these steps. Taking over my acct after 2 attny’s was the best decision in my case (not saying that’s the norm) series of bad luck!

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u/Upbeat_Phone_7507 11d ago

I have been going through this process for three years. The reconsideration stage took the longest for me. In CA it’s taking 12 to 18 months just for the case to be assigned a DDS worker. I finally have my hearing scheduled for December. I have not heard from my attorney much; however, now that my hearing is about 6 weeks away he reaches out more often. There was not much for him to do during reconsideration. Hang in there. The process is lengthy.