Although I hold my masters degree in healthcare admin specializing in gerontology and have a solid 11 years of direct experience under my belt, at 42 I have been out of the workforce for 4 years now due to my own personal medical health.

Although I hold my masters degree in healthcare admin specializing in gerontology and have a solid 11 years of direct experience under my belt, at 42 I have been out of the workforce for 4 years now due to my own personal medical health. Although 8 out of my 9 doctors/specialists have confirmed and are 100% willing to attest that I do medically qualify for long-term disability, there is still 1 who met with me once for <10 minutes and literally stated in my medical record (which I was able to get a copy of from my neurologist) that I am fabricating everything. Everything. I was in shock, uterally dumbfounded. His alleged findings contradict all of the others. I have already been denied 3 times for Social Security Disability, and I am now waiting on the results of the 4th. Although I am extremely eager to return to the workforce, my memory has tragically negatively been greatly compromised due to my illnesses. As ‘memory’ is a key, fundamental building block for any position, I’m concerned for a fourth denial. Does anyone have insights or recommendations as where to go from here? I would be most grateful.

Why women love us:

  • Daily articles on career topics
  • Jobs at companies dedicated to hiring more women
  • Advice and support from an authentic community
  • Events that help you level up in your career
  • Free membership, always

Share your insight

Join an authentic community that helps women support each other at work. Share your professional experience or ask for advice — you can even post anonymously.

7 Comments

Join the conversation
  1. Anonymous

    You may need to hire an attorney that specializes in disability claims, as they can help get your claim approved and much more quickly, too. If you are on long-term employer based disability, then most of the time you usually can't double dip (long-term employer based disability and social security disability at the same time).

    I happen to be in a weird spot myself when it comes to being disabled. I happen to be too disabled to be considered employable by a traditional employer, but not disabled enough by social security disability. I have a mechanical heart valve and a pacemaker due to a congenital (born with) heart condition and I take 8 different medications daily at different intervals with breakfast, lunch, and dinner and some of them are time sensitive as to when they need to be taken. So, in my case since I couldn't find an employer willing or able to hire me, I went to work for myself. I now work as a self-employed bookkeeper making more money than I did when I worked for an employer.

  2. Anonymous

    If you can't afford an attorney, there are usually pro-bono attorneys or those who will work for a percentage of the initial payment (which can be considerable since you have been through four rounds.) In our state, the local Legal Aid organization has a department specifically for disability claims, and you are eligible once you have been denied the first time. Check with your state's bar association to see if they have a list of attorneys specializing in disability claims.

  3. Anonymous

    Get an attorney that specializes in disability. They will take a portion of your back pay and it can take 2 years, but it will be worth it. You might also want to consider a malpractice attorney. However, don’t tell anyone or threaten on the malpractice issue until you have a lawyer on your side. Doctors will pull together to protect each other if they think you might go there.

  4. Anonymous
  5. Anonymous

    Hi, sorry to hear that you are in this position.

    I am a nurse by profession and provide consulting services to a couple of attorneys as a nursing legal consultant and most of the work I do is related to disability claims.

    As other posters have suggested you need to engage with an attorney who is well versed in disability claims. Most will for a small fee assess you claim and either facilitate it through or provide you with a frank explanation of why you claim has been and likely will continue to be denied. As another poster indicated if you are receiving long term disability your claim will be denied as you cannot double dip. This also applies to worker’s compensation.

    Another that SSA uses to determine eligibility is the ability to do ANY job, not just the one you are trained or credentialed to do.

  6. Marcia Smith

    I agree with the others - please hire an attorney that has a LOT of experience with disability denials. They are the experts.

  7. adesanya quam

    Informations can kill you know! Try to change your state of mind even after the confirmation of the latest result to positive or negative. You have got life in you so, you dont have to say No when you meant to say Yes.

Fairygodboss VIP
Achieve your career goals.
Be part of the largest online career community for women to find jobs, advice, and support — for free.
Fairygodboss members