Social security questionnaire

By megan23

1 min read

Just a quick thought that I needed to express and wanted to see how many people out there have gone through the same thing. While on Social Security Disability, has anyone ever received the questionnaire to determine if you are still disabled? I just want to express my frustrations with this questionnaire. I don't even know where to begin but I'll give you a few things that bother me. First, the questionnaire asks you to walk them through your daily routine. I am not quite sure how to describe my daily routine. Which daily routine shall I give them? One of my "good/better" days? My days I can't get out of bed? My bad days? Then they ask questions like how often do you walk, do you need assistance? Can you shower independently? If you need help, describe. Do you do any gardening? If so, for how long? Do you cook main meals? How often a week do you cook? Etc.....I could be here all day writing about this so I'm trying to cut it short. My point is, on an "off/bad" day I can't do much without assistance or when I'm having a day where I have absolutely no energy to get out of bed, I do nothing or bare minimal. On a good day, you wouldn't know that I'm sick. If I have a few good days does this mean I shouldn't be on disability? Great, find me a job that I can call out for two days, work one day, call out for a week, work for 3 days, call out for two more...and so on. I don't know how to answer these questionnaires. Why doesn't anyone get the fact that MS is a highly unpredictable illness??? I, sometimes, am afraid to be in my garden outside even if it is only for 15-20 min on a good day because Oh My Goodness, I'm not inside doing nothing like someone on disability should be doing! I just don't get it, have you ever had a similar experience? Please let me know. Thanks so much!

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The MultipleSclerosis.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

Join the conversation

Please read our rules before commenting.

markthomas Member
I get one every 2 years and have since being "approved" 10 years ago. Same questions every time. Consent to talk to your Dr and get your records, (in case I am lying about having MS?). I always give them an average between good and bad. The appointments I have had for the last year, medications I am on and whatever other silly ass questions they decided to put on the form. Always making sure I am truthful and have my facts together. Then after sending it in, Guess What They don't need to contact my Dr and everything is in line, I am disabled and no further action is needed. Its just another hoop they want you to jump through, by all means fill it out and send it in, but it is just a big waste of time and effort on my part. There is no reason to worry, its seems to be the way "they" check up on you
1. megan23 Member
 Thank you for your response. I always fill it out and send it back immediately. I just get very frustrated and upset when I do get them. Its almost like they dont believe you. Or I love when it says "We believe your condition could improve, so we will send you another questionnaire in 3 years." Really??? You mean you are telling me theres going to be a cure?? Awesome!!!! It just amazes me.
amybmelv Member
Hi MSFighter, I have a hearing next week for my SSD. I have answered the questions you speak of many times already with each time I've applied, and appealed, and filed for reconsideration. UGH!!! I feel your frustration. I have been bracing myself for the resvisiting/questoinaires that will come every year or however frequent. (Deep Breath) It is amazing. I mean we spend most of our time trying to stay positive about what we can still do and manage, and they just through it in our face so we can work extra hard proving how sick we are. Holy Moly we wouldn't be applying and going through all this if we were healthy!!! We aren't faking it!!! Believe me I wish we were! Oh gosh, I'm babbling....just know you are not alone. Peace.
1. megan23 Member
 Thank you! And good luck to you!!! After you are on disability, they send the questionnaire every so many years. I applied in 2011 for Disability and I was approved within 6 months, never denied. I've had relapse-remitting MS since I was 16, I am 36 now. Been admitted to hospitals a few times, have had horrible years back to back sometimes, etc. I received my 1st questionnaire this year. After submitting it, I received a letter stating that they feel I may be doing better in the future and that they would check back with me in 3 yrs. REALLY????? MS is SO, SO unpredictable!!!! Does ANYONE understand that? There are times I feel as though im on my death bed, and then days that I feel so good that I want to go back to work! Then reality smacks me in the face again when im not feeling well & thanking god that I have Social Security to help me. It's just very frustrating that someone sitting in an office can look over my records of how many yrs, and say "Well, she may be able to go back to work in a few years" Its unbelievable!!!!