Hi @A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

I was able to get my SSDI approved in about 2 months after applying online... when I was 59.

It really easy, an especially if you have a report from your Neurologist stating his diagnosis of you is Parkinson's... because PD is preapproved by SSDI, so after they check your medical & prescription history that you supply through their online website..

Also there a financial advantage to apply as soon as possible, once your are formally diagnosed with PD.
After a full 12 months on SSDI... Medicare become available to you the next January.

Let me know if you have anymore assistance... Have a wonderful day, Alan

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A MyParki...

My husband was released from his job as a civil service worker. He immediately applied for ssi. It took a lot of jumping through hoops. We just filled out all the forms they sent and did whatever they asked. And after doing that it finally was approved. If you are diligent and do what they ask and fill out all their papers you can do it yourself and not have to pay a lawyer.

Update: It took about three or four months to get a letter from Social Security denying my disability claim. I got the assistance from an attorney to file an appeal. It will take about 18 months to get a hearing. The attorney says that about 75% of claims are initially denied. On appeal, about 20% win if they represent themselves. 40% win if represented by an attorney.
The attorney costs nothing if I lose. The attorney gets the lump sum payment of back disability payments, up to $6000 if I win.

I was on a disability from the Post Office due to heart disease and I was old enough to get regular SS . If you are a Vietnam vet with boots on the ground in Vietnam you need to apply for benefits .it is retroactive to the date you file. Look up Agent Orange to see the diseases related to it.

I also retired early because of the Parkinsons. Everything I had read said to see a lawyer that specializes in disability which I did. When they apply for it the way they get paid from SSI is if SSI owes any back payments the lawyer is paid a certain amount of the back owed. I didn't have any back owed to me so did not have to pay anything.