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<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#9999FF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="06776ba3.gif"> <div> <B> A new topic with a descriptive summary will appear at regular intervals.  It is to give you subjects to discuss in the chat room or post on the message board.  Any suggestions are welcome!</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>YOU ARE NOT ALONE!</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="191b4c10.gif" border=0 width="180" height="193" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <div>   <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" >Snow Globe by:</FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="http://members.designheaven.com/~jadedesigns/globes.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://members.designheaven.com/~jadedes"><U><IMG SRC="195787d0.gif" border=0 width="120" height="125" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <div> Butterfly by:</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.pixelating.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.pixelating.com"><U><B><IMG SRC="14164140.gif" border=0 width="100" height="20" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#99CCFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="06876ba3.gif"> <div> <IMG SRC="615d43c0.jpg" border=0 width="468" height="60" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Latest Topic</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Social Security</B></div> <bR> <div> Some of you have written asking about information for Social Security benefits.   The following is the normal process:</div> <bR> <div> Social Security Disability<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#660099" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>Insurance (SSDI) is when you apply for Social Security Disability based on a physical or emotional problem severe enough to keep you from working in any paying job for a minimum of one year.  This means you cannot perform any substantial gainful employment.  If however, your are over the age of 50, they are more lenient with the criteria defining "any job".   You must have paid into the Social Security system while employed within the last five years.  If you've been out of work longer than that you will not be eligible.  Most lupus patients end up unable to continue working.</div> <bR> <div> There is normally three steps to follow:</div> <bR> <div> <B>Step 1:</B></div> <div> You first contact your local Social Security office or use the phone number I have listed below and request an application for disability.  This application will ask for past employment information, medical history and what is wrong with you.  They will ask for doctor and treatment records and also the names of the doctors.  The information supplied by your doctor should be detailed to the point of explaining your health before and what it is like now.</div> <bR> <div> Once this is submitted you will most likely receive a rejection notice.  Only about 30% of all applications are approved at this stage.  It is common with lupus patients.  <B>Do Not Give Up!</B>   </div> <bR> <div> <B>Step 2:</B></div> <div> Now it is time for what is called "Request for Reconsideration".  You must complete and submit all forms within 60 days.   (Please note that you have 60 days but their answer to you could take from one month to one year.)  Most likely you will be rejected again.  Usually only about 13% are approved at this point.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Step 3:</B></div> <div> Now it is time for a Hearing before a Federal Judge.  This is where you need to contact a lawyer.   He/she will have you complete the papers for this.   Expect to pay this attorney anywhere from 25-35% of your past due benefits or $4,000 - whichever is less and also you pay nothing if you do not win.  BUT be sure to clarify this with the attorney before hiring him/her.    I recommend using an attorney for all Lupus patients.  Once the papers are submitted you will most likely be asked by SS to visit their doctor for an evaluation.   It is all part of the process.  Remember you need to get that filed with the 60 days just like before and again like before they can take months before setting up a hearing date. </div> <bR> <div>  Should it come this far and you do have a hearing, it is not difficult at all.   You will be allowed to bring witnesses with you who can testify to the judge about your limited abilities that have not been covered in all the medical reports.  </div> <bR> <div> Most cases (approximately 75%) end up being approved through this process although it will take time.   Some decisions are not sent out for months on end.   You need to be patient through all of this.  Once you are approved all monies will be retroactive to your disability date and you will begin to receive monthly checks.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> I strongly urge you to find a lawyer who has experience with lupus cases.   </div> <bR> <div> You can request a SSD application by phoning<B> 800-772-1213 </B>and they will mail one to you or you can contact your local Social Security Office.</div> <bR> <div> I wish you the best of luck.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Disclaimer:</B></div> <div> This  information was obtained from HealthNet.   It  should not be taken as medical fact and/or advice. Lupus has many faces and not everyone shares the same lifestyles, complications and/or symptoms.  Please <B>contact your doctor </B>if you are having any problems.</div> <bR> <div> I invite you to<B> </B><A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Forum Guest Book"><U><B>leave information about yourself</B></U></A> and what you would like to see included on this site.   Also, feel free to<B> </B><A HREF="mailto:mylupusworld@cs.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:mylupusworld@cs.com"><U><B>contact</B></U></A><B> </B>me.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#660099" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Note:</B>  Please <A HREF="mailto:mylupusworld@cs.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:mylupusworld@cs.com"><U><B>contact me</B></U></A> if you are a family member of a lupus patient and would be willing to write a story about how it effects you.  I am looking for these stories to publish here hoping it will help others who may be dealing with the same or similar situations.  Thank you.</div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="3cb50420.jpg" border=0 width="80" height="66" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="2f00e0e0.gif" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><B> </B><A HREF="id68.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Previous Topics"><U><B>Previous</B></U></A><A HREF="id68.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Previous Topics"><U><B> Topic</B></U></A><A HREF="id68.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Previous Topics"><U><B>s</B></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <div>  <img src="HTMLobj-238/aniGif.gif" border="0" align="bottom" width="102" height="90">  </div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="1290e0e0.gif" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><A HREF="id38.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Helpful Tips"><U><B>Previous Page</B></U></A><B>  </B><B> </B><B> <IMG SRC="1130e0e0.gif" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> </B><A HREF="id22_m.htm" TITLE="Latest Topic"><U><B>Back to Top</B></U></A><B>   </B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>My Lupus World Index</B></div> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="417" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="96"><div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="My Lupus World"><U><B>Home</B></U></A></div> <bR> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id75.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MLW Introduction"><U><B>Introduction</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="96"><div> <A HREF="id35.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="My Story"><U><B>My Story</B></U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About Lupus"><U><B>About </B></U></A><A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About Lupus"><U><B>L</B></U></A><A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About Lupus"><U><B>upus</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="96"><div> <A HREF="id18.htm" 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WIDTH="96"><div> <B>Reserved for Future</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 32 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id48.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lupus Links Rings"><U><B>Lupus</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id48.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lupus Links Rings"><U><B>Links & Rings</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="96"><div> <A HREF="id45.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Card Shop "><U><B>The</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id45.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Card Shop "><U><B>Card Shop</B></U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="96"><div> <A HREF="id59.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Riddles Jokes"><U><B>Riddles</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id59.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Riddles Jokes"><U><B>'n' Jokes</B></U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="96"><div> <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Forum Guest Book"><U><B>Forum &</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Forum Guest Book"><U><B>Guest Book</B></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 33 WIDTH="96"><div> <A HREF="id33.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Your Chat Room"><U><B>Chat Room</B></U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="96"><div> <A HREF="id107.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Shop"><U><B>Shop and Help Lupus</B></U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="96"><div> <A HREF="id32.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mail Room"><U><B>Mail Room</B></U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="96"><div> <B>Reserved for Future</B></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#660099" FACE="Arial" ><B>March 2002 -  I have created a new website - my own domain too!  Please stop by and vist me.  I have so much to do there but I am open for visitors.  Just click</B></FONT><B> </B><A HREF="http://www.cathiescollection.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.cathiescollection.com"><U><B>Cathie's Collection</B></U></A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#660099" FACE="Arial" ><B> and you will be there.</B></FONT></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Beyond My Lupus World Index</B></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="417" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 33 WIDTH="96"><div> <A HREF="id91.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Beyond My Lupus World"><U><B>Welcome to Beyond</B></U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="96"><div> <A HREF="id134.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Special Gifts"><U><B>Gifts</B></U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="96"><div> <A HREF="id53.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Favorites"><U><B>Favorite Rings & Links</B></U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="96"><div> <A HREF="id63.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="RAOK Friends"><U><B>Random Acts of Kindness</B></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 33 WIDTH="96"><div> <A HREF="id92.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="My Diplomas"><U><B>My </B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id92.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="My Diplomas"><U><B>Diplomas</B></U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="96"><div> <A HREF="id69.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MY SPECIAL ANGEL"><U><B>My Special Angel</B></U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="96"><div> <A HREF="id93.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mama"><U><B>Mother</B></U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="96"><div> <A HREF="id131.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Awards Ive Won"><U><B>Awards Received</B></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>