Obtaining Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a difficult and complex process. Two out of every three applicants initially are denied. Joshua Maize had to re-learn the basics after extensive brain surgery. On his doctor’s advice, he applied for disability benefits, but was denied twice. He shares his story here.

* This is a true story as told to Allsup

Struck down in his prime, security officer works with experts to claim the disability benefits he paid for while working.

Hartford, Connecticut—Coming from Jamaica in 1992, 40-year-old Joshua Maize wanted to live his American dream. He had been a police officer on the island nation from 1972 until his departure. He continued his career in the United States with security companies in Hartford.

All was going well, or so he thought, until a fateful day in October 2007.

“I began to feel numb,” he said. “I could hardly move. At first, the doctor diagnosed my problem as stress. They rushed me to the emergency room and did a CAT scan that found a blood clot in my head.”

Following emergency surgery, Mr. Maize was unconscious for five days. After he regained consciousness he faced extensive therapy.

“I had to learn to walk and think again,” he said. “I had speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy at the rehabilitation center.”

Even with the best follow-up treatment, Mr. Maize’s doctor concluded that the condition was permanent.

“My doctor said I was going to have a problem,” Mr. Maize explained. “He visited me every day and recommended that I file for disability.”

Being healthy one day and struggling to walk and talk the next, Mr. Maize knew his doctor was right, and set about to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits on his own. However, he learned that just because his doctor said he was disabled did not mean the Social Security Administration would agree.

“I submitted my application and got the runaround several times,” Mr. Maize said. “I was denied, and I was suffering without money. I said, ‘Oh no, this is going to be a fight.’ I needed to get someone who knew what to do.”

Being Internet savvy, he searched for a company that specialized in SSDI cases and saw an advertisement for Allsup.

Allsup is a nationwide provider of Social Security disability, Medicare and workers’ compensation services for individuals, employers and insurance carriers. Celebrating its 25^th anniversary in 2009, Allsup employs 600 professionals who deliver specialized services supporting people with disabilities and seniors so they may lead lives that are as financially secure and as healthy as possible. The company is based in Belleville, Ill., near St. Louis.

“I contacted them via e-mail,” Mr. Maize said. “They called me several times, and I completed a questionnaire on the Internet. They took my information and told me what to do to help with my claim.”

Despite Allsup’s help, he was once more denied. “I figured these guys [the Social Security Administration] didn’t want to pay,” he said. “They didn’t have any sense. You could be on your death bed, and they still would not approve it.”

After two denials, SSDI claims advance to a hearing before an administrative law judge. At this level, client cases are handled by Allsup senior representatives who specialize in compiling and submitting briefs and representing claimants at hearings throughout the country.

Allsup professionals—from senior representatives to call center experts—are driven to succeed, according to company founder and CEO Jim Allsup.

Senior representative Michael Laurent took the Allsup core value of “driven” to heart as he prepared Mr. Maize’s claim for the hearing.

“He took all my information,” Mr. Maize said. “He contacted my doctor and therapists. Then he put together everything we gave him.”

Mr. Maize waited to find out the date of his hearing. Unknown to him, Mr. Laurent was working behind the scenes to save Mr. Maize the trip. In many cases, Allsup experts prepare comprehensive and well-documented briefs that allow administrative law judges to make on-the-record decisions, eliminating the need for applicants to appear in a hearing. Mr. Maize’s case proved compelling enough to merit a fully favorable on-the-record decision.

Mr. Maize had gone to Jamaica for a visit in October 2008 and returned to find an express delivery from Social Security. He opened the letter and saw that his SSDI appeal had been granted.

“I was really, really, really glad,” he said. “I called Allsup and faxed them a copy of the paper.”

In addition to his SSDI benefits, the state of Connecticut said he was qualified for health benefits and food stamps.

“It doesn’t make you rich,” he said, “but it doesn’t make you poor, either. Now, the water and everything is getting paid. All my medical bills are paid up. Everything is covered.

“Allsup was very good,” he added. “I would recommend that all people go to Allsup before going to Social Security.”

After all the hassle, disappointments and final satisfaction, Mr. Maize, now 58, remains a man of modest hopes and desires.

“A roof over my head is all I need,” he said. “So, I got my American dream even with my disability. God will take care of you, but you have to take the initiative. I did just that, and it’s working.”