Social Security was created to assist people of all ages. Many Americans rely on the retirement benefits that the SSA provides as a means of financial security. This assistance is available if an unexpected medical condition stops you from working and supporting your family. A long and frustrating process often accompanies the filing for disability.
Most applicants are denied benefits on their first application, while others wait months or even years before they receive the disability benefits they deserve. Preparing for the process of filing for disability and understanding the requirements of the SSA and the complete DDS is important in ensuring efficient and accurate handling of your case.
The following tips can allow claimants to be well-prepared for their SSDI application process. If you are awaiting the outcome of your disability claim, check out our article on how long it takes to get approved for SSDI.
Tips For Making Filing For Disability Easier
Several steps can be taken to increase your chances of being approved for Social Security Disability benefits. The following tips can help you in this regard.
Describe Your Disability In Detail
Irrespective of their severity or when they begin manifesting, you should list all the medical issues contributing to your disability. Any ongoing limitations resulting from old injuries should be included.
When we've had limitations for a long time, we often forget about them because we've gotten used to them. Approval for disability is sometimes based on the combination of old limitations and new problems.
Make Your Disability Claim Honest And Realistic
It is helpful to be honest, and straightforward when completing disability forms and discussing your condition with Social Security. Be careful not to exaggerate. If you don't feel well at your doctor's appointment, do not tell your doctor that you are okay.
Tell your doctors if you are receiving treatment from another practitioner for medical or mental conditions. As well as following your doctor's advice, it's critical to get your prescriptions filled on time and ensure that you attend all requested appointments.
Respond To The Applications Process Promptly
Answer questions clearly and promptly by written or telephone correspondence when asked for additional information. Be sure to inform the claims examiner if you are working to avoid a delay that cannot be avoided.
When answering a question, keep your response focused on the question. Be sure to attend and cooperate cooperatively if Social Security asks you to undergo a consultative examination.
Stay In Touch With Your Doctors
Educating your doctors about Social Security's expectations may also improve your chances of disability approval. The claims examiner working on your case will question your doctors and request a report on the diagnosis they made about your conditions, how your limitations impede your ability to work, and your current work abilities.
Not only must your doctor provide you with accurate information, but he or she should also complete the report in the manner that the SSA requests. Claim denials are sometimes caused by non-responsive or inadequate reporting by the claimant's doctors.
Ensure your physicians provide the SSA with all relevant medical information, records, and reports it requests. Promptly providing this information can help avoid delays due to the need for a consultative examination.
Physical Symptoms Report from Your Employer
You can't expect your employer to confirm your disability. However, if you have few or no medical records, your employer's observations of the issues you faced doing your job may help complete your disability claim by filling in the gaps.
If you experience health-related problems at work, you may be able to file a claim if your employer provides you with a letter describing your symptoms. It is common for employers to notice an employee's repeated absence from work.
The employer may also notice a reduction in mobility, loss of dexterity, depletion of stamina, difficulty sitting for long periods, and inability to stand for an extended period. Your employer might also have noticed that your productivity has decreased or tasks are taking longer.
Symptoms of Mental Illness Described by your Employer
Along with the observations about your behavior, emotional state, or mental illness, your supervisor may mention conflicts or lapses in memory if you claim disability for neurological or mental illness. Maybe you had problems following directions or multitasking according to your job's requirements. In addition, if your employer noticed that you were getting unusual support in doing your work, they should inform the SSA.
The Social Security Administration is unlikely to contact your employer about your disabling condition, so you must request one directly from Social Security or on the official SSA-3033 form on SSA's website. You may want to hire an attorney who specializes in Social Security Disability claims if you feel uncomfortable gathering this information yourself.
Lack Of Medical Care In The Absence Of Insurance
Lack of health insurance can make it difficult to receive adequate medical care. Even if you have not seen a doctor for a long time, it is still possible to qualify for disability benefits. You cannot prove when you first became disabled with a lack of medical history, regardless of the type of disability you have.
SSA will refer you to a physician or psychologist if they cannot determine your eligibility from your medical records. A claim will be approved if your examination and other information in your file support your diagnosis of the disability and you are still eligible for disability benefits. However, your claim may not be paid retroactively to when you believe you became disabled because the date of disability may not be used to pay your claim.
The Process Of Filing For Disability
You must first determine whether you're eligible for SSDI, SSI, or both if you're interested in applying for disability benefits. You can file for disability in three different ways. An online application for disability is the simplest way to begin the process. You can also apply in person at an SSA office near you since there are over 1,300 across the country.
The SSA accepts disability applications over the phone if no local offices are nearby. You're more likely to be denied disability benefits than approved on the first try since millions of people apply every year.
Because the denial rate for disability claims is so high, learning as much as possible about SSDI and how to apply it is wise. By doing so, you can increase your chances of receiving approval for your claim.
For more details on the application process for disability benefits, read our article on how to apply for Social Security disability benefits.
Qualification Criteria For Disability
Many Americans rely on the retirement benefits that the SSA provides as a means of financial security. This assistance is available if an unexpected medical condition stops you from working and supporting your family.
If you become seriously disabled, you may be able to replace some of your lost income with Social Security disability benefits. The SSA considers three main factors when determining whether you are eligible for disability benefits:
- The medical condition must last so long that you cannot do the work you used to or adjust to different types of work.
- It must have been a year or more since you experienced your physical or mental impairment(s).
- You must have worked in jobs covered by Social Security for a long enough period and recently enough to qualify.
We hope the tips in this article will serve as a guideline when you set out to file for disability. For more information on various disability-related topics, check out the rest of Disability Help's resources. If you wish to file your disability claim online, here is our guide on applying for SSDI online.
