This is concerning my filing for Social Security Disability Benefits. I have been through the complete appeal process, been before a Judge at the second/third appeals hearing, and sent to a doctor of their choice... This doctor has already sent his report in. I have been out of work and unable to work since 16 May 2002, which is almost four years now. My children and I will soon be homeless, and are already on starvation, or at least having to accept help in this area and others by our family and church friends/family. My present attorney has lost all my convidence and continues to treat me badly, taken away my dignity, and just does not treat me with any respect what so ever. What are my legal options? If any? Can I fire him, and how? I desperately need help before we litterly loose everthing!
205126
yes, u can hire a new lawyer anytime and fire your current one.  u prob signed a contract of some sort in the beginning stating that if u seek other counsel, u must still pay him a set hourly fee for the am't of billable hours he has already put into your case.\n\nu can also contact the bar association to report the abusive behavior u have rec'd.  he will be investigated and such.  perhaps receive a reprimand or some sort of suspension, depending on how well u can prove your case.\n\ngood luck!
253404
You can file with SSI to have him removed as your guardian and appoint someone else.   If you have to have one.  I suggest if you  have children have one of them.  You can change him as your guardian at all the doctors offices you go to.  Just let them know you need to change your guardianship to another person.  They won't even ask why?  The house is in your name so due to your disability you can ask the court the house be solely granted to you in the divorce.  You can also tell an attorney you have been abandon.  He left and you have not heard from him.  Contact legal aid in the area and see if they will help you pro-bono file the divorce.  Or you can go  one line and obtain all the necessary documents you need to do it yourself.  \nEach state is different, but first I would start with getting him off your SSI as your guardian.  Then proceed with the divorce.  Sorry about his luck and thoughts and prayers to you.
70417
Sorry that you are having a hard time. Basically tell em to take a long walk off a short pier. \n I also get funny looks because I receive Medicaid and you know why I get it? Because I am disabled and spent all my life not working but raising a family, so I did not have enough work hours to qualify for NORMAL disability. \n I am glad that you are trying to do so much to better your life and those of your children. Just forget them. Or even better ask if they will take care of your childrens health expenses? Take care and good luck
187950
Under the Social Security Act there is a program called the Ticket to Work Program.  As a Social Security beneficiary, you have probably heard of it.  Under the Ticket To Work program, there is another program that is a freedom to work program.  If an SS beneficiary can work at least 1 hour a month doing ANY legitimate employment, they can earn above the limits and still receive their SSI benefits including medical.  However, as you earn more, your SSI check would be reduced by 50% of your earnings. But you would have earnings to replace any lost benefit.  \nWith a back problem I am guessing that sitting and standing for any length of time is out of the question right?  Are you working with a Vocational Rehab counselor?  They should know about this program and could help you find a part time job that will accommodate your disability.  \nIn any case, you can go to www.ssa.gov and look at the Ticket To Work Program.  Click on the Benefits, Planning, Assistance & Outreach (BPAO) program for your state.  They have Social Security trained benefits specialists that can help you evaluate your situation and see if the Freedom to Work program will work for you.\nBest of luck to you.
121371
You have protection under the American With Disabilities Act of 1991.  \n\n"Your employer must make reasonable accomodations" to you.\n\nHave you considered talking your supervisor to let them know how bad the situation is.  Sometimes people forget some of the challenges those with disabilities must endure.  Maybe a dialogue could solve the problem before the lawyers get involved.\n\nGood Luck.
456245
I doubt there are too many lawyers on here and the labor laws vary from state to state. the best idea is for you to contact the labor board in your area and explain the scenario to them. You said you were on a probation period, yet not on the payroll??? Were you  working for free??? If he paid you any wages during this time and did not take out taxes, nor report this to the State, he is also in violation of several laws concerning taxes and such. If he paid you wages and you have proof of that, you can take that down to the unemployment office.Good luck. Hope you find a better job, he sounds like a creep anyways.
245534
You can always appeal, but like most government bureaucracies, they tend to take the easy way out and take the advice of the people below them in the chain. It is the sad state of affairs in this country that the government promises to take care of people, yet is the most inefficient possible way of doing so.\n\nIf you want real results, bite the bullet and get a lawyer. You'll receive far more from SSI than you ever paid in even with lawyer's fees, which basically means that I'll help pay for your money even though I'll never get any myself.
330330
This would probably be a state or county program.  You are right that HUD is the federal program, and I'm not surprised that the waiting list is very long.  I would start with the counselor or whoever is responsible for your disability insurance (workers' comp insurance carrier or state disability, or perhaps Veteran's Administration), and ask what they know about housing assistance.  Once you have a social worker assigned to you in any one program, part of their job is to know what other programs you may be eligible for, and how to go about applying.\n\nI'm in school now (right now; typing this in lab) on a program run by the state unemployment office but financed by federal money.  I feel guilty about using tax money, but you gotta do what you gotta do.  I take comfort in the fact that I paid taxes -- a huge amount, in my opinion -- for many years before I was laid off.\n\nGood luck!
189828
Sounds like you are in a pretty tough spot. Sorry.\n\nI don't know what state you live in, but it may have State Disability Insurance. Even if you don't qualify for S.S.I. you may qualify for Social Security Disability (S.S.D.) or if that doesn't pan out.\n\nThere is probably a good chance your state has Disability Insurance, and you need to apply for that A.S.A.P.\n\nYou need to contact both agencies.  Social Security and your State Disability agency.  Try to find someone who has been thru the system.  Because a lot of times, the good people who work at these places don't tell you a lot of stuff that might help you get on disability insurance.\n\nI'd also do a Google search on the topic, it might include information that would be useful.\n\n               Good Luck!
515772
Apply. You can do it online, it's easy, no lawyer required (like the TV ads say) on the Social Secuity.gov website. They are very courteous to talk to and work with, I just went through it. I got my acceptance letter within 5 weeks. Yes, apply for unemployment, too, you have earned it, it might take SS longer to get your acceptance through, Good Luck!
552567
I am pretty much faced with the same situation.  I have been denied SSI and SSD.  I have reapplied for it.  I too have a physical disablity that is preventing me from doing a job.  I really don't have any answers for you.  I have applied from everything from being a walmart greeter to a receptionist.  I can not do any job where any walking or standing or climbing stairs is involved as I do not have the use of one leg and can not stand, or walk without the assistance of bilateral forearm crutches.  I have been turned down for everything but to prove it is because of the disability is impossible unless they specifically say it is.  I can only suggest you volunteer someplace to see if you can actually do the work.  I would also keep bugging soc. sec. to get you the help that you are requesting.  Don't leave until you get to talk to a person.
638819
Welcome to the real world. My brother-in-law is a lawyer for a government agency. He tells us that all lawyers are dishonest. Now, this brother-in-law is the best husband, father, and man that I have came in contact with. Go figure? \nThere were six of us who were permanently injured at the same company. Indiana law states that a person cannot sue his/her employer; only the company of a machine manufacturer if the problem was with a mal-function machine caused by their error.  Each of us called lawyers all over the state of Indiana. We also contacted an extreme amount of government elected officials and we could not get help. We did have proof a black list existed for those who were injured there and for those with chronic diseases. I will not go into detail. If you find legal help, you are one of the few who finds one. \nThose who believe that suing is so easy are extremely uneducated and IGNORANT!!! Sorry, even after eighteen years, I hurt so much and the pain and memories of what we went through will probably haunt me forever. May God lead you to justice.
649127
first of all contact ssi and explain the what is happening and see what they can do also ask the legal dept at the hosptial social services see what they can do to help. I hope things get better and you are in my prayers.
399215
Applying for Social Security Disability or retirement can be a very drawn-out process. They are probably starting to process your claim. As hard as it seems, be patient and don't let all the waiting and stress of it get you down.
340281
I went through the entire process with an attorney, neither he nor my congressman couldn't speed those people up , it's quite horrible and I suffered tremendous anguish myself over it. I was finally able to get a court date and received back money from the date of application and proved they don't follow there own guidelines. Your at the mercy of there disability determination people and they answer to no one ! If they are having a bad day or need to clear there cases because they are behind , they will turn you down. If you have been turned down though definitely see an attorney. They will take your case for a percentage not to exceed 25%. Good luck my friend and seek help where ever you can. Sorry I couldn't provide better news.
223503
Get all the information of what is wrong with you compiled together even dr. visits and dr recoerds file with social security again at the same time go to your local dept. of job and family services. they'll help free of charge. good luck.
220176
You need to get a lawyer either way.  Disability is a federal program, not regulated by the states, though you have to go through the state social security system to get placed on disability.  Unless you are missing both arms or are completely paralyzed you NEED a lawyer to have any chance of getting disability.  They deny over 90% of initial applications and without an attourney you have almost zero chance of making an appeal.  If you can show that your condition (no matter what it is) is completely preventing you from maintaining gainfull employment you can get disability.  Right now you'll get about $600 a month plus a supplement for your kids but it will take at least a year (oh, and legal representation ;) to start receiving payments.