Here is a little about my situation to start. I have been a c5 quadriplegic since November 11, 2004, 42 days after my 18th birthday. Because I was 18 at the time of my accident and had never worked before, I was denied SSDB. So now the older I get the more I have to work in order to qualify for SSDB, except the whole problem is that I can't work. I do receive SSI, but it's only $600 a month, which basically forces me to live with my mother and grandparents, for as long as they are around. I also get food stamps, that recently increased from $30 to $90 a month, due to some stimulus program from Obama. This leads me to my questions.

Is there any plans to adjust the requirements for SSDB? Are there petitions or letters to send to the president? Anything at all that can be done to change the system that has failed not only me, but many other young people with disability?

Thanks for any information you can give. Hopefully other people out there believe like I do, that, if you are disabled you should be able to get disability benefits. Not millions, but enough to live on.

I haven't heard of any changes, but they're in serious need of reform.

My husband started working very part time in 2005 and was given the same, wrong information by different people from the local and Baltimore offices about how much he's allowed to make and still receive SSDI. Even though he clearly stated he's disabled and receives SSDI, they had him down as a retired individual.

Now they're trying to get over $9,000 in what they believe is an overpayment and we've been dealing with this issue for nearly 3 years now. He was told he would get a hearing, but apparently that took place already and we're having to start all over again All b/c the local caseworker didn't do her job. When I figured that out, it was too late, but I did get more of a response by writing directly to the Baltimore office. But we're pretty much still back to square one.

Document all your phone calls and keep copies of any letters you do write. That's helped us thus far. Now I'm going through all expenses that can be written off. One thing the SSA did was update the website to make things a little more clear. The entire system sucks!!!

Good luck with your situation.

I've not heard of any changes either...same ole outdated system. I'll be looking at the ssdb info over the next few months as I'm hoping to return to part-time work later this year or in 2010. I'll let you know if there is any new info for your situation.

Hapa, would love to chat with you and yours about ssdb and transitioning back to work, as I'm still not completely clear on the rules