Social Security Disability

Social Security Disability Insurance

Getting started

Do one step at a time. Focus on the next step not the mountain. There will be a lot of forms to fill out. They are rather long and confusing.

Make a plan to do a little bit each day. Get started. Read over the forms. Wait a day to absorb what you see. Work a set amount each day. Read over what you plan on doing the next day. This allows you mind to process the information over night. Don't obsess over what you do not know. Skip it. It will come to you. Read over what you have written. This will give you a sense of accomplishment.

Proceed

Either of these Social Security pages is a good place to begin your application process.

Disability Planner: How You Apply

http://www.ssa.gov/dibplan/dapply.htm

Applying For Disability Benefits For Myself

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/info/isba/disability/firstpartydib.htm

This Social Security Ruling (SSR) clarifies how Social Security Administration (SSA): "develop evidence to establish that a person has a medically determinable impairment (MDI) of CFS and how we evaluate this impairment in disability claims and continuing disability reviews"

https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/rulings/di/01/SSR2014-01-di-01.html

Seeking help

You may not win you case with the initial review. This is common. You need to appeal. I recommend you have the support of a lawyer as part of the appeal process.

You may want to contact lawyer who specializes in Social Security Disability claims before submitting your application to avoid common pitfalls.

J. Mitchell Lambros has been assisting people with their disability claims for over twenty years. You only pay for a lawyer's service if you win. The amount is defined by the Social Security Administration.

http://www.lambroslaw.net/j-mitchell-lambros.html

Personal Experiences

The Sleepy Girl Guide to Social Security Disability (U.S.)

http://www.meaction.net/2017/04/17/the-sleepy-girl-guide-to-social-security-disability-u-s/

The Northern Virginia (NOVA) CFS/ME, FMS, OI & Gratitude Support Groups have several good references about SSDI: