Denied Social Security Benefits - Seeking Advice

I've been terrified to try after watching my mom get denied 3 times being born with CP. I was diagnosed with Dystonia & Fibromyalgia when i was 32, I'm 50 now still struggling on one income. My wife is 70 and unable to retire until i have an income so this fear is hurting my relationship but I've read so many horror stories, i just wanted to believe that i could work again someday. Wanting to believe my disabilities would disappear and allow me back in the workforce. Twenty years later and i think I'm ready to try to get disability, social security, SSI whatever the government dreams me worthy of...that's how it feels. I really appreciate everyone's responses to this question, i admit I've been afraid to even ask here after ALL the negative sad hopeless stories I've encountered first hand through friends and family.

I didn't hire a lawyer. I did it myself.

I got mine on the first try. They really just want you to jump through all of their many hoops, which I did, and I wrote out my answers to their questions in full detail, which was overwhelming, but I just took my time and made sure to explain every little detail.

After working with my husband to help him get his, a lawyer is essential.

I had a lawyer and was denied 3 times, even though I have 16 diagnosed medical problems. Good luck!

I'm in Ohio. I was denied twice, the third time I got a lawyer and was approved. For the third try I tried to communicate with my lawyer about strategy and what I should emphasize, etc. He said, "what are you worried about? You've been diagnosed with fibromyalgia so you will get disability." I was dumbfounded. I think it's a racket for lawyers to make money through the court system. It's a no-brainer once a lawyer gets involved... however it does seem that you do have to be denied first. I know many who started with a lawyer right from the start, but were still denied until the second or third time. Just my opinion with my experiences.