United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

any one have any luck getting ss benefits after TBPI? i am a 47yr old welder that is going to be out of a trade that fed me and mine for 30yrs.i am right handed with a RTBPI that is totaly flail at this time and still can do many things but not quite as handy as i used to be, no pun intended. if i can get ss i could get my pension and that would be a great relief to me and the family. the other way would be to retrain and go from there which wouldn't be to bad but i have a 15yr old daughter that will need some education also. i feel that she would get more use from it than i.i did a search of the boards and didn't get any results though i feel it has probably there some where. thanks for any imput.. dave"red"wilson

Hi Red!

Are you in the U.K? If you are, I might be able to help. On the TBPI website which is http://www.tbpi-group.org...we have a resources section, which contains some info on DSS benefits for people in the U.K. It needs updating, but essentially it is the same.

If anyone in the U.K. would like help on this, feel free to email me liz@tbpi-group.org

If you are in the U.S; I'm sure there will be lots of people here who will be very happy to help....good luck with it,

all the best..Liz B

thanks liz
i am in the U.S. so looks like apples and oranges for us. thanks any way red

My best advice is to hire an attorney. I went through the process on my own as long as I could. Once I hired an attorney it was resolved within a few months. They are trained to know what to do and where to file and what to say. I have been getting benefits since around 1994. It took two years to get approved. They will push for re-training.

If you have a more specific question just email me and I will do my best to answer for you.

Joy

thanks joy
i was hoping to avoid a lawyer but i have a feeling that you are right. if i remember from the boards you have some other complications in addition to your TBPI but are younger than my 47. may be just young at heart. thanks for the advice red

I most certainly understand about the lawyer. I was very upset when I had to eventually hire one. But, pleased with the solution.

Yes, I do have other complications. I am left BPI as well as TOS (Thorasic Outlet Syndrome). However, I believe the BPI is the reason listed for my disability.

I am 38. When I applied for benefits my age was a factor. They did not want to put someone of my age, under 30 at the time, on disability. It was not "cost effective" for them. That is why I am re-evaluated every 3 years. I scares me every time an evaluation comes around.

Good luck with your decision. It is not an easy one.

Joy

thanks for the insight joy and i'll take all the luck i can get. red

David: Concerning the ssi, I just started receiving it due to my tbpi. I'm 47,and used to be a construction worker and a pilot, I guess those aren't options anymore. I didn't get a lawyer, but after getting denied the first go-round I appealled and put my ducks together a little better. I found every scap of medical evidence from tbpi websites and medical journals, all of my medical records, Doctors opinions,and letters from specialists, wrapped them all up with a nice letter about how I saw my future basically and sent them off to the fellow that handled my appeal. I do have some other problems besides my tbpi, my shoulder is scrap and my one leg is little better than tree stump, but all in all I feel I was treated fairly and most people in Soc Sec were pretty nice, especially at the local level,so talk to them first and don't get livid if you get knocked back a time or two. File as soon as possible, as they will back pay you to that point if you get a settlement.
Be patient and persevere
Onepaw

David and all others,
this is the wording the lawyer used when my son won social security,
listing of impairments, musculoskeletal system, soft tissue injuries of the upper or lower extremity, listing 1.13, 20 C.F.R., part 404, subpart P, appendix 1.
and all medical reports, and pages from this wed site that shows how many muscles were injured from this injury,
good luck

THANKS DIANNA
will get after this listing for when i get denied. filed the fifth of january and will most likly be denied as that semes to be sop. really will save me a lot of searching. i never found all the easter eggs either but with a little help from my friends.......
red