I applied for disability twelve years ago. I was denied and hired an attorney. By Federal law they can only take 25% of your retroactive check. (It begins the day you apply). I could hardly walk back then. Now I swim two hours a day six days a week and practice Tai Chi. Without disability I could not have achieved my present level of activity. Now I work part time teaching swimming privately. It is basically therapy with pay. Lol. Good luck! :)

I resigned from my job in 2011 because I was being harassed by their procedures in their guidelines. I couldn't prove it but she didn't want me there. I was put there and forced on her by her bosses. I was kind of black balled by the book. I was sick and missed work for a year and they payed me because I was in the sick bank. She wanted you hire a younger gentleman that was there for two weeks while I was out seeing there doctor to be able to return. Life is too short and worth more than being harassed by someone whom doesn't want me there. I am glad I did it. I am hoping it did make her look bad. I worked there for 14 years. No one liked her at all. She had a history of doing this. I was warned at the very beginning from others. It's very sad that there aren't anyone watching the ones in charge like they do is. So sad. I do have better life because of what I did so it was eventually a win for me. Loving life and controlling my RA is my goal now. FYI, I have a very supportive husband and I am very thankful for that.

I had to stop working in 2013. I was on a medical leave for several months and used up all my sick time. I applied for disability and 8-9 months later it was approved. I was told that 8-9 months is quick.I was very blessed that it was appoved the first time, as usually they deny it the first time. It is an adjustment, as you don't get as much money as you did when you were working..but we make it work. We have learned to be more conservative. Hugs to you!!

I retired 3 years ago with disability. I got it the first time it took 6 months, my doctor's were after me to take it sooner. It took me and I am not kidding for the inmates at my former job to tell me it's.was time for me to go. They had seen how much pain I was in coming in to see them and felt that the State was not going to let me go any further. That's didn't include the riot they had the week before. So I finally listen to my body and my doctor's. Filled out the paperwork and have not looked back. It was the best decision I made.

I had to stop working October of 2013, I had been on medical leave for several months prior , I applied for disability December of 2013 and was approved in August 2014, I was told that most people are denied the first time they apply, I was 48 years old and at that time I had RA for 20 years , so I had a lot of medical records to show them . My husband still works full time and we still have a mortgage etc, disability does not pay as much as what I was making when I was working .. But we live conservatively and are able to pay bills etc. I applied for disability online and they ask you a lot of questions but it's not difficult , they need you're medical records , so make sure you're Rheumy knows when you apply and documents the severity of your RA , if you do get denied , make sure you hire a good disability lawyer and you can appeal it. The lawyer told me to apply the first time on my own and if I get denied to call him . I've been told it's easier to get approved if you're over 50, and of course the more medical documentation the better , sending prayers to you .