[laurie6781]

I have invested 16 months into getting a hearing for SSDI/SSI. People say I should appeal again but I think I'm giving up.

That is exactly what SS wants you to do ......................... give up. I swear they figure if they procrastinate long enough, the person filing will either give up or get so sick they die.

It took me 31 months ............................. each rejection just made me more determined to win. Mine was finally granted in April of '04 and no, I did not drink over all the refusals. I RANTED, RAVED, Stamped my feet, cried on others shoulders, threatened to blow up the regional office in Albuquerque (and yes I was serious), but I did not drink.

Now it is true they no longer accept 'alcoholism' as a reason for disability, HOWEVER, they do accept the LIFE LONG HEALTH ISSUES that result from being an alcoholic, so maybe it's time for you to seek out an Attorney that does ONLY Social Security, they are limited by law on how much their contingency fee can be ie 10% of back pay but NO MORE than $5,000.00. Let that attorney refer you to a good physician that the attorney has worked with before, that will do a COMPLETE medical work up on you and who's report is than submitted to SS.

Hope that helps a bit.

Love and hugs,