Disability Advocate for the TMA
Cossy Hough

The Transverse Myelitis Association would like to let members know about a new service available. I have agreed to take on the role of disability advocate for the TMA. In this role, I am available to give members information on how to apply for disability benefits, as well as provide information on how to qualify for benefits as quickly as possible. The disability determination process can be overwhelming and sometimes some small tips are what you need to get things moving.

A little about myself; My name is Cossy Hough. I am a Licensed Master of Social Worker-Advanced Clinical Practitioner in Austin, Texas. I worked for several years as a medical social worker in a home health/hospice agency. My experience also includes working with clients with mental illnesses and in the family planning field. I currently work with a Medicaid program for children and pregnant women at the Texas Department of Health. I was diagnosed with TM in January 2000. I am married and mom to two, wonderful pug dogs.

Information on Applying for Social Security Disability

You can find this and additional information on the TMA website.
You can find basic information on how to apply for Social Security Disability at the Social Security Administration (SSA) website at http://www.ssa.gov/disability.html

You will need to call for an initial appointment at 1-(800) 772-1213. Most of these initial appointments are telephone interviews. You can request an in-person interview, but this can take longer to set up. At this point it is important for you to start to gather together your paperwork. The social security website, identified above, has a good list of the documentation you should include.

You will be mailed an application to fill out. This application is long so please don't become discouraged. Once you have applied and sent in your paperwork, you will be assigned a disability determination worker in your area and the process begins.

Important Tips

The social security 1-800 number is least busy first thing in the morning. You should always expect some hold time, but the mornings may only be a few minutes while the afternoons can be much longer.

You will be asked to sign releases for the SSA to request your medical records. Sign the releases, but realize it will take a lot longer if your disability determination worker requests the records for you. Call your physician(s) offices and find out how to request your records yourself (or have a family member or friend help you). It may be a hassle to get all your records yourself, but it saves valuable time.

Once you have your medical records, make a couple of copies! You can send a copy in with your SSA application, but know that some of the records may be lost and you may have to resend them. Just be prepared for that and expect to have to resend some or all of them to your disability determination worker.
Give detailed information on your application. Don't be afraid to write too much.

Ask SSA for the phone number to your area disability determination office or look it up in the phone book. Then, start calling the office after your application has been sent in to find out if your case has been assigned. Keep in touch with your disability determination worker. Make sure they have everything they need to process your case.

It is difficult, but not impossible, for other people to talk to SSA and disability determination workers on your behalf. Ask about the acceptance of written consent if you feel you will need help with the process from someone else.

The disability process can take a long time; oftentimes, up to a year or longer. Applications are often denied. You need to appeal the denials. Many cases are denied twice and get to the stage of having a hearing before they are approved.

Finally, and most important, get your Senator or Representative involved in your case. Don't wait to do this. Getting their involvement at the beginning of your case is most effective. Call and ask to speak with whomever their local office has assisting people in your area. They will most likely need a letter from you asking for their help and getting your consent for them to advocate on your behalf. Make sure to include information on how your disability is affecting you and how the time waiting for a decision on your disability application will impact you financially. A letter from your physician is also helpful at this time. A short letter from your physician explaining your condition and how it will impact you in the long term can help a lot.

If you need additional information or have questions, you can contact Cossy at cossyh[AT SIGN]yahoo.com or by phone at (512) 420-0904. Weekends are the best time to reach me.