Blind SSI applicant waiting since January for DES benefits decision - need advice!
I applied for benefits back in January and I'm still waiting for a decision. I've submitted all the necessary documents, but I'm running out of money and feeling really frustrated. I'm fully blind and rely on SSI, which isn't much to begin with. This delay is causing me significant hardship. Has anyone else experienced such long wait times? Any advice on how to speed up the process or get some immediate assistance?
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Yuki Kobayashi
Ugh, I feel you. I've been waiting since March and it's driving me crazy. Have you tried calling them? I know it's a pain, but sometimes that's the only way to get answers.
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Ethan Moore
•I've tried calling but I can never get through. It's so frustrating 😫
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Carmen Vega
•Pro tip: call right when they open. You might have to wait on hold for a while, but at least you'll get through eventually.
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QuantumQuester
•Or try calling at like 4:55 PM. Sometimes they stay late to finish up calls and you can catch someone whos not burnt out from the day yet
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Andre Moreau
I found a method to get someone on the phone. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's the URL: https://www.claimyr.com
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Zoe Stavros
•Sounds sketchy. Is it legit?
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Andre Moreau
•Yeah, it's totally legit. I was skeptical at first too, but it saved me hours of frustration. Worth every penny imo
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Jamal Harris
•How long did it take for them to get someone on the line?
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Andre Moreau
•It took about 2 hours, but I didn't have to sit there listening to hold music. They just called me when an agent was ready.
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Mei Chen
Here's what I did to speed things up: 1. Email your caseworker weekly 2. Call the office and ask for a supervisor 3. Reach out to your local representative's office 4. Document EVERYTHING It's a pain, but you gotta be persistent. Don't let them forget about you!
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Ethan Moore
•Thank you so much for the detailed advice! I'll definitely try these steps. Do you have any tips for crafting effective emails?
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Mei Chen
•Sure! Keep it short and to the point. Include your case number and the date you applied. Explain your situation briefly and ask for a specific update or action. Be polite but firm. Good luck!
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Liam Sullivan
have you tried going down to the office in person? sometimes face-to-face interactions can make a big difference
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Amara Okafor
This system is so broken 🤬 Why does it take so long to process a simple application? It's like they want people to suffer
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CosmicCommander
•Preach! 🙌 The whole thing needs an overhaul. It's 2023, why can't they use some AI or something to speed this up?
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Giovanni Colombo
•careful what you wish for. AI might just deny everyone automatically lol
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
Have you considered reaching out to a disability advocate? They might be able to help push your case through faster.
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Ethan Moore
•I hadn't thought of that. Do you know how I can find one?
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
•Try contacting your local Center for Independent Living. They often have resources or can point you in the right direction. Good luck!
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Dylan Cooper
Oof, January? That's rough buddy. I'm in the same boat, applied in February. Feels like were all just stuck in limbo 😩
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Sofia Ramirez
LPT: If you're really struggling, reach out to local charities or food banks. They might be able to provide some temporary assistance while you wait for your benefits to come through.
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Ethan Moore
•Thank you, that's a good idea. I'll look into what's available in my area.
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Dmitry Volkov
idk if this helps, but I heard they just got a bunch of new funding to hire more staff. Hopefully that'll speed things up soon 🤞
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StarSeeker
This is why we need UBI. The current system is a joke 🤡
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Ava Martinez
•Amen to that! 💯 No one should have to jump through all these hoops just to survive
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Miguel Ortiz
•Yeah, because giving free money to everyone will totally solve all our problems 🙄
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StarSeeker
•@profile18 It's not 'free money', it's ensuring everyone has their basic needs met. But go off I guess 💅
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