Disability assessment process

placidrider48 said:The CZSS doesn't just automatically accept whatever results came out of an evaluation done through the Social Security Administration.

It's 100%, since I have a combined disability (left side motor skills, residual orthopedic deformities, and low vision in my right eye).

Why?? And what’s the fallout??
Does that mean they make you go through two separate evaluations or what?

Kyle Reed30 said:Why?? And what’s the fallout??
Does that mean they make you go through two separate evaluations or what?

In my experience, an evaluator at the Department of Social Services just did a quick check on me (like my gait and arm movement) and went over the paperwork I turned in.

Back when I was dealing with Social Security Administration a few years ago, they made me hunt down a mountain of records from every single doctor I'd ever seen, no matter how minor. I was basically running from one clinic to the next.

So yeah, it’s technically two different assessments, but the one through Social Security was way more intense.

placidrider48 said:The CZSS doesn't just automatically accept whatever results came out of an evaluation done through the Social Security Administration.

It's 100%, since I have a combined disability (left side motor skills, residual orthopedic deformities, and low vision in my right eye).

Do you honestly believe someone like Viktor Orban would give a damn about advocating for the rights or the quality of life of an individual struggling with combined motor disabilities, orthopedic issues, and impaired vision?

Does anyone actually understand what it means to have your legal capacity revoked? It’s terrifying. You literally can’t do anything. A guardian is appointed
, and they make every single decision for you. They could put you in some facility or even take away your apartment if you own one. Basically, you lose all autonomy. How could anyone ever want to give up their right to decide for themselves? Imagine someone malicious just stripping away everything you own. And this can happen overnight, all for the sake of some stipend or whatever. I spent six years caring for a bedridden patient at home, and even then, it felt overwhelming when the home health aides started showing up so frequently—especially since they didn't know the first thing about medical care. Honestly, even that felt like a form of surveillance, even though I know it wasn't meant to be. It was always easiest when the aide was on vacation, or during those few months last year when they were locked out. For my mom, I had a really smart, kind head nurse. She was a huge help because dealing with Mom being immobile was all new to me. But this other one, who was totally clueless, was just a hindrance. Once she helped me get Dad settled, but the next time, she insisted she had to do it herself. It wasn't even that hard. The bigger issue was paying for the transport to the wheelchair $50 every single week just so Dad could actually get into it.

mistyjackal842 said:Does anyone actually understand what it means to have your legal capacity revoked? It’s terrifying. You literally can’t do anything. A guardian is appointed
, and they make every single decision for you. They could put you in some facility or even take away your apartment if you own one. Basically, you lose all autonomy. How could anyone ever want to give up their right to decide for themselves? Imagine someone malicious just stripping away everything you own. And this can happen overnight, all for the sake of some stipend or whatever. I spent six years caring for a bedridden patient at home, and even then, it felt overwhelming when the home health aides started showing up so frequently—especially since they didn't know the first thing about medical care. Honestly, even that felt like a form of surveillance, even though I know it wasn't meant to be. It was always easiest when the aide was on vacation, or during those few months last year when they were locked out. For my mom, I had a really smart, kind head nurse. She was a huge help because dealing with Mom being immobile was all new to me. But this other one, who was totally clueless, was just a hindrance. Once she helped me get Dad settled, but the next time, she insisted she had to do it herself. It wasn't even that hard. The bigger issue was paying for the transport to the wheelchair $50 every single week just so Dad could actually get into it.

I get it. It can be a disaster, especially if you’re surrounded by toxic people—whether they're acting as legal guardians or specialized professionals. Sometimes there isn't a clean way out; you're just forced to pick the lesser of two evils. Personally, I don't see myself losing my ability to work. This isn't like being bedridden or unable to speak after a stroke, or dealing with MS, ALS, psychosis, or dementia. This is different. It's a specific kind of disability where I look perfectly fine on the surface, but underneath, things are much more difficult.

Can an expert clarify something for me: to qualify for disability benefits, is losing your ability to work an absolute requirement? Is being unable to work a strict prerequisite for receiving a personal disability claim?

I have no intention of giving up my career, but given my condition, I doubt I even could.

Kyle Reed30 said:Can an expert clarify something for me: to qualify for disability benefits, is losing your ability to work an absolute requirement? Is being unable to work a strict prerequisite for receiving a personal disability claim?

I have no intention of giving up my career, but given my condition, I doubt I even could.

It’s definitely not a requirement—you can totally keep working and still collect disability at the same time. Plus, under current American law, there isn't really this thing where you're just completely stripped of your capacity to work anymore; instead, the court has to specify the exact scope of any limitations in the ruling.

I happen to be a Law School grad.

placidrider48 said:It’s definitely not a requirement—you can totally keep working and still collect disability at the same time. Plus, under current American law, there isn't really this thing where you're just completely stripped of your capacity to work anymore; instead, the court has to specify the exact scope of any limitations in the ruling.

I happen to be a Law School grad.

Thanks for the reply!

Glad to hear it.
Can I ask you a few questions? It would be helpful to get some clarity. If you know, please try to answer:

1. How can someone who struggles at work be helped if they haven't qualified for disability benefits yet? In that case, will there ALWAYS be a recommendation for vocational retraining, further education, or workplace accommodations for people with disabilities???

2. Suppose the commission decides that disability benefits aren't necessary, but instead recommends vocational retraining or workplace accommodations. What are the actual odds of someone actually finding employment as a person with a disability? Is that just a dead letter on paper, or can these individuals truly secure appropriate roles?
And what are the realistic chances of being hired this way?

Also, is there a risk of getting fired after a while? Can someone actually stay in such a role until retirement?

And if they do lose their job, can they actually find a similar one quickly? My fear is that if disability hiring quotas are met, or if employers simply refuse to hire them, they'll be left without any income.

3. If the commission decides against disability benefits and opts for retraining instead, the person might finish training for a new career in a few months (or so an occupational therapist told me). But what if they get that adapted job and then turn out to be INCAPABLE of performing it despite the accommodations? What options are left then??

Kyle Reed30 said:Can an expert clarify something for me: to qualify for disability benefits, is losing your ability to work an absolute requirement? Is being unable to work a strict prerequisite for receiving a personal disability claim?

I have no intention of giving up my career, but given my condition, I doubt I even could.

Look, I’m no expert, but I’m a reasonably sane individual, and any person with a modicum of common sense can see that qualifying for disability and being unable to work aren't necessarily two sides of the same coin, even if they often overlap.

mistyjackal842 said:Does anyone actually understand what it means to have your legal capacity revoked? It’s terrifying. You literally can’t do anything. A guardian is appointed
, and they make every single decision for you. They could put you in some facility or even take away your apartment if you own one. Basically, you lose all autonomy. How could anyone ever want to give up their right to decide for themselves? Imagine someone malicious just stripping away everything you own. And this can happen overnight, all for the sake of some stipend or whatever. I spent six years caring for a bedridden patient at home, and even then, it felt overwhelming when the home health aides started showing up so frequently—especially since they didn't know the first thing about medical care. Honestly, even that felt like a form of surveillance, even though I know it wasn't meant to be. It was always easiest when the aide was on vacation, or during those few months last year when they were locked out. For my mom, I had a really smart, kind head nurse. She was a huge help because dealing with Mom being immobile was all new to me. But this other one, who was totally clueless, was just a hindrance. Once she helped me get Dad settled, but the next time, she insisted she had to do it herself. It wasn't even that hard. The bigger issue was paying for the transport to the wheelchair $50 every single week just so Dad could actually get into it.

Come on, kids, take a breather.🙄

darksurfer4 said:Come on, kids, take a breather.🙄

Most likely people have had enough bad experiences to build up a fair amount of resentment—and honestly, they have every right to warn us.

Kyle Reed30 said:Thanks for the reply!

Glad to hear it.
Can I ask you a few questions? It would be helpful to get some clarity. If you know, please try to answer:

1. How can someone who struggles at work be helped if they haven't qualified for disability benefits yet? In that case, will there ALWAYS be a recommendation for vocational retraining, further education, or workplace accommodations for people with disabilities???

2. Suppose the commission decides that disability benefits aren't necessary, but instead recommends vocational retraining or workplace accommodations. What are the actual odds of someone actually finding employment as a person with a disability? Is that just a dead letter on paper, or can these individuals truly secure appropriate roles?
And what are the realistic chances of being hired this way?

Also, is there a risk of getting fired after a while? Can someone actually stay in such a role until retirement?

And if they do lose their job, can they actually find a similar one quickly? My fear is that if disability hiring quotas are met, or if employers simply refuse to hire them, they'll be left without any income.

3. If the commission decides against disability benefits and opts for retraining instead, the person might finish training for a new career in a few months (or so an occupational therapist told me). But what if they get that adapted job and then turn out to be INCAPABLE of performing it despite the accommodations? What options are left then??

First off— Personal disability is basically just whatever you get based on the American Statistical Association's ruling. They don't really have anything to do with career changes or getting more schooling, I guess.

Those programs are all handled by the Department of Labor. I guess you have to get the green light from the U.S. Census Bureau first, though. We disabled folks actually have our own dedicated advisors over at the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

So, basically, employers are supposed to make reasonable accommodations to help folks with disabilities get through the door. And if someone’s already on the payroll and it turns out they can't handle their current role anymore, I guess the employer should probably offer them a different position that actually fits their abilities—ideally something pretty close to what they were doing before. It all really comes down to whatever the occupational health specialist says, I suppose.
I mean, if there isn't actually an opening available, I guess they could just let the person go.

You’re asking about reality? Honestly, that's just some dead letter on paper when you're dealing with private companies. I mean, sure, there are exceptions, but finding a job is a massive uphill battle. Most employers probably wouldn't even bother hitting those hiring quotas—it's usually cheaper for them to just pay the fines and call it a day, I guess.
If you’re thinking about trying to land a government gig, just keep in mind that they basically only give you an edge if your test scores are at least as high as the people applying without special status—you know, like disability or veteran preferences and all that. I had to go through the U.S. Census Bureau to get my disability status officially verified for those kinds of applications, I guess.

So, you should probably just start the application process for disability. There’s a specific form you can grab from the American Statistical Association, or honestly, you can probably just download it online if you don't feel like leaving the house. I actually went down to talk to the clerk at my local office, and she just took my info and the completed paperwork right then and there. It felt like forever before they finally called me in for the medical evaluation, but I guess it was worth the wait because my claim actually got approved. They even backpay everything starting from the day I officially filed the request.

placidrider48,

Will the U.S. Census Bureau send me the official decision?

And what happens if someone gets fired by chance, has no disability rating, and zero income? How is a person in that situation actually helped?

Jesus, you’ve got me worried now if this is all just meaningless paperwork.

How long did you have to wait before they called you in for the evaluation??

You mentioned an employer can fire you if you're unfit even for an adjusted role. If they let you go, what are the odds of finding another job quickly that's even less demanding? Is there even a shot? Does the Department of Labor, the Social Security Administration, or the U.S. Census Bureau help find lighter work, or do they just offer advice?

I'm currently unemployed, but I'm actively looking. To be clear, nobody even knows about the illness yet, so I'm applying as a healthy person. I still can't get to the medical evaluation because I have a mountain of tests to complete first. I can't even take results to my primary care physician until I've gathered everything. Can I start working once I finally hand all the documentation to my doctor and the evaluation process begins? In other words, am I free to work while waiting for the actual appointment?

Kyle Reed30 said:placidrider48,

Will the U.S. Census Bureau send me the official decision?

And what happens if someone gets fired by chance, has no disability rating, and zero income? How is a person in that situation actually helped?

Jesus, you’ve got me worried now if this is all just meaningless paperwork.

How long did you have to wait before they called you in for the evaluation??

You mentioned an employer can fire you if you're unfit even for an adjusted role. If they let you go, what are the odds of finding another job quickly that's even less demanding? Is there even a shot? Does the Department of Labor, the Social Security Administration, or the U.S. Census Bureau help find lighter work, or do they just offer advice?

I'm currently unemployed, but I'm actively looking. To be clear, nobody even knows about the illness yet, so I'm applying as a healthy person. I still can't get to the medical evaluation because I have a mountain of tests to complete first. I can't even take results to my primary care physician until I've gathered everything. Can I start working once I finally hand all the documentation to my doctor and the evaluation process begins? In other words, am I free to work while waiting for the actual appointment?

You can work right now, assuming your doctor hasn't restricted you from certain tasks.

Don't hide the diagnosis, because then an employer might actually have grounds to let you go for concealing it. If you're upfront about what you're dealing with and they discriminate against you—especially if the condition doesn't even interfere with your actual job duties—you could potentially sue them!

It took maybe 5 or 6 months for the American Statistical Association to call me, I don't remember exactly.

placidrider48

All right, great. I can get started now.
I have to hide my condition. My whole life is too complicated to explain in one go. Right now, I’m forced to stay quiet because my diagnosis isn't even officially in the system at my doctor's office yet. As far as the medical records show, I'm perfectly healthy. It isn't until I finish my remaining tests, get everything logged into the system, and complete a formal disability assessment that I can actually tell an employer what's going on. If I disclose a chronic illness to a hiring manager right now, they won't hire me. Besides, since there's no official paperwork yet, I'd just look like I was making excuses. My strategy is to apply as a healthy person. Sure, it's a losing game—I often end up getting let go after a few weeks once they realize I can't meet their standards—but it beats having zero income. I have to play it this way. First, I get the paperwork in order so the diagnosis is real, then I can deal with the employers.

What happens if someone gets fired from one of those specialized roles meant for people with disabilities, but they don't actually have a documented disability themselves and are left with zero income? How does anyone even begin to help someone in that position?

This is going to be a complicated question. Apologies if this falls outside the realm of legal expertise:

I’ve lived with this disability for as long as I can remember—over twenty years now. It wasn't until this year that I finally received an official diagnosis. Even now, I'm still stuck in the bureaucratic loop, waiting on five different specialists to review my case and sign off on the ICD classification. Does this actually change anything? My specialist told me it’s a massive issue because, on paper—in my medical records—it looks like I’ve been perfectly healthy since birth. But that’s a lie; nothing is actually fine. Could this become a major roadblock when it comes to getting an expert assessment?
The disease is highly specific. Here in the States, we lack the specialized expertise needed to handle it properly. It’s largely misunderstood. For a long time, it wasn't even included in the ICD, and even now, the terminology keeps shifting. The diagnostic tests are just as unstable; they change constantly because they aren't precise enough yet. In most developed nations, this is officially recognized as a legitimate disability.

Kyle Reed30 said:placidrider48

All right, great. I can get started now.
I have to hide my condition. My whole life is too complicated to explain in one go. Right now, I’m forced to stay quiet because my diagnosis isn't even officially in the system at my doctor's office yet. As far as the medical records show, I'm perfectly healthy. It isn't until I finish my remaining tests, get everything logged into the system, and complete a formal disability assessment that I can actually tell an employer what's going on. If I disclose a chronic illness to a hiring manager right now, they won't hire me. Besides, since there's no official paperwork yet, I'd just look like I was making excuses. My strategy is to apply as a healthy person. Sure, it's a losing game—I often end up getting let go after a few weeks once they realize I can't meet their standards—but it beats having zero income. I have to play it this way. First, I get the paperwork in order so the diagnosis is real, then I can deal with the employers.

What happens if someone gets fired from one of those specialized roles meant for people with disabilities, but they don't actually have a documented disability themselves and are left with zero income? How does anyone even begin to help someone in that position?

This is going to be a complicated question. Apologies if this falls outside the realm of legal expertise:

I’ve lived with this disability for as long as I can remember—over twenty years now. It wasn't until this year that I finally received an official diagnosis. Even now, I'm still stuck in the bureaucratic loop, waiting on five different specialists to review my case and sign off on the ICD classification. Does this actually change anything? My specialist told me it’s a massive issue because, on paper—in my medical records—it looks like I’ve been perfectly healthy since birth. But that’s a lie; nothing is actually fine. Could this become a major roadblock when it comes to getting an expert assessment?
The disease is highly specific. Here in the States, we lack the specialized expertise needed to handle it properly. It’s largely misunderstood. For a long time, it wasn't even included in the ICD, and even now, the terminology keeps shifting. The diagnostic tests are just as unstable; they change constantly because they aren't precise enough yet. In most developed nations, this is officially recognized as a legitimate disability.

If the ICD recognizes the condition, there shouldn't be any reason it isn't recognized here in the States. The issue usually lies with how our laws handle disability rights and whether the system has caught up to recognize the condition as a cause for disability.

If I were you, I'd have a serious talk with a neurologist. Ask them how much longer I can realistically work and what kinds of roles would be sustainable...

I'd also ask psychologists, educators, or vocational specialists for a full observation based on the diagnosis. They should focus on sensory, motor, intellectual, communication, emotional, and social functioning, along with individual strengths. That could serve as the foundation for retraining, job accommodations, or filing for a disability assessment.

Also, if your parents know any business owners, maybe they could ask if you could handle things like sorting mail, rerouting calls, or scheduling meetings. You could work part-time, too. Your employer could cover half your pay, and the Social Security Administration could cover the rest. From what I can see, you're more than capable of doing that kind of work...

Kyle Reed30 said:placidrider48

All right, great. I can get started now.
I have to hide my condition. My whole life is too complicated to explain in one go. Right now, I’m forced to stay quiet because my diagnosis isn't even officially in the system at my doctor's office yet. As far as the medical records show, I'm perfectly healthy. It isn't until I finish my remaining tests, get everything logged into the system, and complete a formal disability assessment that I can actually tell an employer what's going on. If I disclose a chronic illness to a hiring manager right now, they won't hire me. Besides, since there's no official paperwork yet, I'd just look like I was making excuses. My strategy is to apply as a healthy person. Sure, it's a losing game—I often end up getting let go after a few weeks once they realize I can't meet their standards—but it beats having zero income. I have to play it this way. First, I get the paperwork in order so the diagnosis is real, then I can deal with the employers.

What happens if someone gets fired from one of those specialized roles meant for people with disabilities, but they don't actually have a documented disability themselves and are left with zero income? How does anyone even begin to help someone in that position?

This is going to be a complicated question. Apologies if this falls outside the realm of legal expertise:

I’ve lived with this disability for as long as I can remember—over twenty years now. It wasn't until this year that I finally received an official diagnosis. Even now, I'm still stuck in the bureaucratic loop, waiting on five different specialists to review my case and sign off on the ICD classification. Does this actually change anything? My specialist told me it’s a massive issue because, on paper—in my medical records—it looks like I’ve been perfectly healthy since birth. But that’s a lie; nothing is actually fine. Could this become a major roadblock when it comes to getting an expert assessment?
The disease is highly specific. Here in the States, we lack the specialized expertise needed to handle it properly. It’s largely misunderstood. For a long time, it wasn't even included in the ICD, and even now, the terminology keeps shifting. The diagnostic tests are just as unstable; they change constantly because they aren't precise enough yet. In most developed nations, this is officially recognized as a legitimate disability.

The diagnosis I have is definitely coded in the ICD. That thing you mentioned has to exist, and once it does, it goes into the system.

I doubt the evaluators will care that it took a long time to reach a correct diagnosis. Once the condition is officially confirmed, they just look at how much it impacts daily life, including job prospects. I'm guessing which diagnosis you're talking about—ironically, I have a friend who works in rehab for that. People with that diagnosis can definitely find work, though I guess we aren't exactly a "developed nation" in that sense, so you're probably right.

Maybe check if there are any advocacy groups for this condition in the US. They might know employers who are actually willing to hire people in your situation.

mistybear56

The condition is listed in the ICD, but I’m skeptical about this other thing you mentioned. I remember seeing an article once claiming it was only recognized as a disability in modern, developed nations.
I can't discuss this with my private neurologist right now, but I'll bring it up with my GP.
They won't know anyone with that specific condition. I realize this might sound strange—since I come across as perfectly sane and articulate here on the forum—but I wouldn't be able to handle a role like that as a standard employee. I've struggled with much simpler tasks. However, if it were treated as a disability with the necessary accommodations and clear instructions, I might actually be able to manage.

placidrider48
Yeah, it's a recognized diagnosis here in the US.
Could you send me a DM with the specific diagnosis you're implying? When you say you think you know what we're talking about, I have a feeling you aren't thinking anything good.

Hey there.

I just saw my GP, and she told me to take all my test results over to the Mayo Clinic. I still have one more exam to wrap up, then I'll drop off the full file. Can someone tell me what actually happens once you show up at the Mayo Clinic and how you find out if they’ve approved your disability claim??

Kyle Reed30 said:Hey there.

I just saw my GP, and she told me to take all my test results over to the Mayo Clinic. I still have one more exam to wrap up, then I'll drop off the full file. Can someone tell me what actually happens once you show up at the Mayo Clinic and how you find out if they’ve approved your disability claim??

I don't really see any reason why anyone would visit Medicine Work before the actual work capacity evaluation is finished. That specific assessment is handled through Medicare—it doesn't really have anything to do with Medicine Work.

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