"On your application you stated that she is disabled because of SOD, hypoglycemia, hypothyroidism, growth hormone deficiency, significant adrenal insufficiency, and one episode of seizure activity. The medical evidence shows that her condition is not severe enough to be considered disabling."
I'm sorry. Not severe ENOUGH? Having NO pituitary gland is not severe enough? Being on constant hormone replacement for the rest of her life is not disabling? And it even goes so far to say that, "we have considered her condition, and we have determined that it does not results in marked severe functional limitations." And because she's not blind they pretty much throw our claim out the window.
So. Do we appeal? Do we try just to get on medicaid? How are we going to pay for $50 copays every other month or so for the specialists she HAS to go see? The endocrinologist, the ophthalmologist, the gastroenterologist, the neurologist, the geneticist, not even counting the regular well baby check ups, weight check ups and of course ALL the damn hormone replacements she is on around the clock. THAT is not severe enough?
Are we supposed to just go at this all alone?
Yes, you appeal. If you need names of good attorneys to help you let me know and I'll get you names. It's a form letter...don't let the words discourage you.
ReplyDeleteAPPEAL! I was a social worker prior to this whole mommy business and I think it's standard practice that they deny the first claim for SSI...
ReplyDeleteEh, that's the government for you!
We will appeal. I think the wording of this letter just got to me. As my friend put it, it's a very "harsh" way to talk about her condition and what we're going through.
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed standard practice. Working for a law firm for 5 years that had a very busy SSD practice, it is extremely common practice that deny the 1st go round. It's a form letter they send out merely plugging in the illness/disease/disability with the denial of it not being severe enough for warrant aid. It's harsh b/c that's how they discourage people to keep trying. Don't let it get to you. It's just what they do. Again...if you need names, let me know. I don't work in this business to just help out random strangers...it's knowing the right people to put friends in contact with that make my job worth it.
ReplyDelete