Denied Benefits for Not Working Enough Credits, Despite Being Unable to Work?
I have been disabled since October of 2022. I am a resident of Wisconsin and have gone through all of the steps of applying, appealing, all the way up through my case going in front of a judge with a lawyer on my side. The judge ultimately ruled "no" because I hadn't worked enough credits. And I know I applied for SSI and not SSDI. I triple-checked.
I have letters from many medical providers advocating for me to have disability benefits. There was no disagreeance in the court that I heard (I was appearing via phone) that I was disabled. The third-party vocational expert said I would not be able to work any of the jobs she had.
After the judge's rejection of benefits and my lawyer quitting, I applied with DVR to see what kind of jobs I am supposed to "adapt to work" (from one of my rejection letters). The DVR categorized me as Category 1 (the most severely disabled), but said there is a wait-list and no estimation of how long it will be for them to get to me.
Ultimately, I don't know what more I need to do to prove that I'm disabled. Everywhere is agreeing that I'm indisputably disabled and unable to work.
I submitted an entirely new application, since my initial case had nowhere else to go other than sue the state (my lawyer at the time told me that we wouldn't win). I got another denial, but with no option to appeal. The letter says that because I am not qualified for disability benefits--due to not working enough credits--they did not make a decision on my case. So I can't appeal if they didn't even make a decision, which I know is administrative BS.
I contacted my local disability resource center and they told me they have one person who can help me apply. This person had also helped me last time. I hate to say this, but she's not very good at her job. She's been ghosting me for 2 weeks at this point, despite saying that she would call me back on Tuesday of last week.
There is a free local legal clinic once a month. I waited in line for 2 hours to get to talk to a lawyer for 5 minutes, who ultimately said that he did not know why I was denied and suggested I call 211, which is insane because 211 suggested the legal clinic.
Idk what to do anymore. I feel trapped in an impossible situation.
Please provide advice, if you can. I would also accept encouragement. I've never felt so defeated while also fighting my own mind and body just to get through another day.