If you are having difficulty getting SSD, you can get a lawyer that works in this area. They will take a part of your award amount as payment if they win (usually something like 33%).

So...not going to like this....but the key is documentation...lots of it. Every slip of medical documentation can find from the last ten years. Also, keep in mind...you are only considered disabled if you can no longer do the job you do now. So for example, if you were in a wheelchair before accepted job, the fact that are in a wheelchair now does not qualify you as disabled. It must be some change preventing you from working now. This can be extremely hard to prove, especially as many people need the income from work until qualify for disability...is a catch22. They need to see medical documentation of things like repeated hospitalisations, inability to do something required by job. Sadly, a doctor's word alone is not enough. Need to show treatments, perhaps loss of mobility.

Try it yourself wthout a lawyer, go to ss office Ilin person, when they see us it's pretty clear we are not scamming the system and approved quickly. It's important for us to work where long term disability insurance is offered,.it's our golden parachute

I think it’s a one time fee. At least it was for me.

Applying for disability income is similar to undergoing a root canal without the benefit of anesthesia. The most important thing is to have documents ...lots and lots of documents. If you ever got a piece of paper or email from the government , a doctor , the bank or an employer...have it with you. The doctor paperwork is most important ...bring any and all doctor documentation you can get your hands on. Remember ...you quality for disability only if your disability make you unable to do your last job...so be prepared to explain how your disability got worse during your employment and why ada modifications would not enable you to continue working. So, the mere fact that you have SMA and are in a wheelchair might not be enough to qualify for disability if you were in a wheelchair and disabled at time of employment. Be prepared for an automatic rejection and necessary appeal . Many hire lawyers ...if can get your paperwork together yourself , i would almost recommend holding off on hiring lawyer until after first rejection...just have phone number for lawyer handy. Odds are high for initial rejection no matter how perfect application is, so might as well save a few bucks and get lawyer after rejection ...you might get lucky. Lastly ...expect a very very very long wait . I have heard of up to two years wait. The good news is that once approved, with serious disabilities like SMA, they generally waive the periodic review...so it is a one time root canal and not yearly .