Verywell Family
It’s important to know the inner workings of the Social Security system when you’re applying for benefits. If you need to create a strong disability case, these helpful tips will help you give the Social Security Administration all the details they need to make the right decision regarding your case.
File for Disability Right Away
If you are unable to work because of your disability, you should file a Social Security Disability claim as soon as possible. These claims often take a long time to process, and you don’t want to be faced with long extended periods of financial hardship because you didn’t anticipate how long you would have to wait for a decision. It’s also best to file an SSDI claim before your disability insurance expires since you can’t collect any retroactive benefits before the date of your application.
Hire an Attorney If You Are Denied
If your first claim is denied, you should hire a lawyer or a non-attorney representative to represent you when you appeal the SSA’s decision. A legal professional can go over the details of your claim and help you continue receiving benefits or get retroactive benefits. If you have to go through the appeal chances, you can lower your chances of approval if you don’t have an attorney attend the hearing with you.
Get Assistance With Your Disability Application
If you don’t understand everything on your disability application, make sure you request assistance. If you don’t fill out your application properly, don’t turn your application in on time, or forget to include necessary information, your claim will be denied. You can ask a family member to help you fill out the forms, ask a Social Security field representative for help, or hire a disability lawyer to represent you.
Make Regular Doctor’s Appointments
Your disability claim will be assessed based on your medical records, so you should visit your doctor regularly for several months or even years before you apply for benefits. If you request evidence from your physician to support your application, you may have a hard time getting the documentation you need if you haven’t had a recent appointment.
If your doctor visits are too infrequent, the SSA may deduce that your disability is not serious enough to prevent you from working. In general, you won’t be approved for Social Security disability if you don’t visit your doctor at least one time every two months.
If you love your medical coverage before you receive disability approval, try to get medical treatment at the county health department, the emergency room, or a local free clinic.
Take All Your Prescriptions
Whether or not you take prescribed medication could affect how the Social Security Administration views your disability. The judge is more likely to deny your claim if you don’t take your medicine as prescribed. If you’re not able to get your medicine, your administrative law judge (ALJ) may not always take this into account during your disability hearing.
Be Cordial With the Individuals Working on Your SSDI Case
Even if your case was not handled properly or you’ve had to wait longer than you should for a decision, refrain from being rude to the people working at the Social Security Administration or Disability Determine Services offices.
You should also be cordial to anyone who will be representing you in your disability case. These individuals have hundreds of cases to process each week, and your demeanor could make a difference in how quickly your case is settled.
When you need updates on your disability case, you can call the Social Security office where your claim was filed. Or, you can contact a Disability Determination Services examiner. If you have to attend a hearing, contact the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review to review the status of your case.
This can be a confusing process, and it is not nearly as easy as it should be (Source: https://www.sinklaw.com/areas-we-serve/south-carolina/social-security-disability-lawyer/). When you submit the right information and have a qualified lawyer working on your behalf, you have a better chance of getting the disability benefits you deserve.
