SS Appeals Council reconsidering my fibromyalgia case - also can my 55-year-old dad apply for SSDI with depression and COPD?

The Appeals Council reconsidering is definitely progress! I went through 3 years of appeals for my fibro claim before finally getting approved. The additional mental health records are smart - having multiple conditions documented strengthens your case significantly. For your dad, it's NEVER too late to apply for SSDI if he can't work due to medical conditions. The key things he needs: 1. He must still be insured for SSDI (sounds like he is with 40 years of work) 2. Strong medical documentation of his conditions 3. Evidence that his conditions prevent substantial gainful activity Him falling asleep at traffic lights is very concerning and sounds like it could be dangerous for him to keep working. The therapy gap isn't ideal, but if he restarts and maintains treatment, that shows he's trying to get better. He should apply ASAP - backpay can go back 12 months from application date if he meets the criteria.

my cousin got approved for fibro but it took like 4 tries lol. they always deny first time no matter what. good luck

To directly answer your questions: 1. The Appeals Council agreeing to reconsider your case is neither positive nor negative in itself - it simply means they found sufficient reason to review the previous decision. However, submitting additional evidence (like your mental health records) is generally positive as it provides a more complete picture of your limitations. 2. Regarding your father: At 55, he falls into the "advanced age" category under SSA's grid rules, which can make qualifying somewhat easier. The gap in therapy isn't ideal, but it's explainable (clinic capacity issues) and not fatal to his case if he resumes treatment promptly. The falling asleep symptom is particularly noteworthy and should be thoroughly documented, as it suggests possible narcolepsy or severe sleep apnea in addition to his other conditions. This creates significant work limitations across virtually all occupations. I'd recommend he: - Apply immediately (don't wait) - Restart therapy as planned - Get comprehensive testing for the sleep issues - Consider having a doctor formally advise against driving - Request medical records from all providers before applying

The appeals council reconsidering is usually a good sign! They reject most cases without review. When do you expect to hear their decision? I'm curious because I'm waiting on mine too for different issues.

Social Security disability specialist here. Let me clarify a few things: 1. For your case: The Appeals Council granting review occurs in less than 20% of requests, so yes, this is potentially positive. Adding mental health records is excellent strategy as it broadens the basis for disability. The timeline you mentioned (hearing in May/June 2025) suggests they're remanding your case back to an ALJ (Administrative Law Judge) for another hearing, rather than making their own decision. This is fairly common. 2. For your father: The combination of major depression, anxiety, COPD, and apparent narcolepsy or severe daytime somnolence creates a strong potential disability claim. At 55, he falls under the "advanced age" category in SSA's Medical-Vocational Guidelines, which means he could qualify with fewer limitations than younger applicants. The therapy gap is not ideal but is explainable as due to provider availability rather than non-compliance. He should document this by: - Getting a letter from the previous therapy provider confirming they couldn't accommodate him due to capacity - Maintaining a record of attempts to schedule appointments - Resuming treatment as soon as possible He should apply immediately rather than waiting to restart therapy. The application process takes time, and he can develop the medical evidence while it progresses.

I struggled for TWO YEARS trying to get through to Social Security about my disability claim! Finally found this service called Claimyr that got me through to an actual SSA agent in less than 2 hours after weeks of failed attempts. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Their website is claimyr.com - totally worth checking out if you or your dad need to actually talk to someone at SSA instead of dealing with the constant busy signals and disconnections. Made a huge difference for my sanity during my application process.

Your dad should ABSOLUTELY apply NOW!!! Don't wait another day - the system is designed to DELAY everything. My brother has COPD and it took him 3 YEARS to get approved even with OXYGEN TANKS! If your dad is falling asleep at stoplights he should NOT be working or driving!!!! That's dangerous for him and everyone else on the road. The therapy gap won't matter if his doctors clearly document his conditions. He's paid in for 40 YEARS - he DESERVES his benefits!!

One important point nobody has mentioned: for your father's application, make sure he specifically lists all conditions, but especially document the falling asleep episodes in detail. This could indicate several possible conditions: 1. Sleep apnea (common with COPD) 2. Medication side effects from treatments for depression/anxiety 3. Narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia 4. Potential neurological issues He should keep a daily log of these episodes - when they occur, duration, circumstances, etc. This kind of specific documentation significantly strengthens disability claims, especially for symptoms that don't show up well on standard medical tests. Also, since he's 55, check if he qualifies for early retirement as a backup plan while pursuing SSDI. Though benefits would be reduced, it might provide some income during the potentially lengthy disability determination process.

my mom went thru appeals for her fibro too. they kept saying it wasnt real even tho she couldnt even hold a cup somedays. make sure u have a GOOD lawyer, made all the difference for her