Mistake #1: Assuming that what SSA tells you is true.
Unfortunately, some of these advice Social Security Administration (SSA) employees provides towards the public is incorrect. So in the event you aren't pleased with what SSA reminded you over the telephone, you'll end up being glad to know it could not be precise. The problem is, many humans simply have reminded me they did not file a disability claim with regard to years (and went without benefits these people deserve) simply because a SSA employee gave them bad information.
Advice: Don't stop on your claim until after you have reviewed your own case with a disability lawyer. Disability lawyers know more about the law than SSA employees and give you accurate information.
Mistake #2: Assuming the SSA Administration will approve your own claim.
Not true. Many human beings believe that because they simply have paid into SSA, their claim should easily end up being approved when these people apply regarding disability benefits. Many human beings believe it's just a matter of filling out the forms and going through the process. However this kind of just isnt true. SSA denies 70 to 75% of first-time claims. SSA denies 82% of claims which are appealed with regard to Reconsideration. But, the good news is which when cases are heard before judges, nationwide over half (53%) are approved.
Advice: (1) Appeal every denial within 60 (sixty) days of receipt, (2) build a strong case by understanding what information Security Securityrequires, and (3) produce sure to show it properly.
Mistake #3: Assuming the disability forms you fill out will win your own case.
Usually they wont. Claimants hurt their case by overstating what they can do. In most cases, SSA and judges rely heavily on medical records as well as your own doctor, psychiatrist and/or psychologist's opinion regarding your ability to work full period. If the assess isn't satisfied with you...if he doesn't believe what you're saying...or if he is trying to find a reason to deny your own claim, he may look regarding inconsistencies in answers you provided earlier on the forms. For example, if you answer 1 way on the form and testify at a hearing to some thing else, the determine can easily use the answer on the form to undermine your own credibility and support a denial of your own claim.
Advice: When completing the forms, be sincere, correct and brief! You need to always answer the question in the space provided - do not attach extra sheets of paper or perhaps write in the margins. Also, it is important to assume you are back working full time on a sustained basis (8 hours per day, 5 days per week) when addressing test about what you are capable of doing.
Mistake #4: Assuming which your own medical and/or psychological signs or indicators will end up being enough with regard to the judge to approve your claim.
Not true. You need detailed medical records that document your signs or indicators and limitations and specific opinions from your doctor, psychiatrist and/or psychologist if you hope to win your own case. Their opinions will only end up being given weight by the judge in the event you just have received continuous and consistent medical treatment. If you are not treating regularly together along using your doctor you're jeopardizing your own case!
Advice: It is critical you receive continuous and consistent medical treatment and care so that you can bring SSA and a judge with current and complete medical records that support your doctors' opinions.
Mistake #5: Assuming your diagnosis will win your claim.
It won't. It's true that SSA needs a diagnosis. But SSA also requirements medical proof that your diagnosis causes limitations which are so significant and severe which they will preclude your ability to work full period on a sustained basis.
Advice: Disability cases are won based on your own limitations, not your signs or indicators. Make sure you provide detailed medical records from your doctor which reflect your own symptoms, his diagnosis, and your limitations.
Mistake #6: Assuming SSA will end up being persuaded by any kind of medical medical care you choose.
It will not. You can easily choose any kind of alternative therapies and holistic treatments you desire. After all, you ought to do whatever it takes to try to get better. Yet, end up being aware that SSA and judges are most persuaded by mainstream doctors (M.D., D.O., psychologists) and how you respond or even fail to respond to mainstream medical care. If you are not taking medications or are not receiving mainstream treatment by a mainstream doctor, you can easily end up being jeopardizing your own claim.
Advice: To win your own claim, try to exhaust every medical medical care your own mainstream doctors recommend, so you can prove which in spite of doing so, you continue to end up being unable to work full period on a sustained basis.
Mistake #7: Assuming your own loved ones doctor's opinion is the only 1 you need.
This can easily not be a good choice pending upon your own diagnosis. If the diagnosis is often made and treated by a specialist (M.D., D.O., Ph.D), you need to treat with both a board certified specialist and your family practitioner. From a legal standpoint, you like to show the judge your diagnosis is accurate and which you are receiving the ideal possible treatment. You have a more powerful case when your own doctor is a specialist who is skilled and experienced at treating humans who just have your situation. Social Security law commonly gives more weight to the opinions of a specialist as compared to a general practitioner. Being a result, SSA and the assess will look more closely at the credentials of those doctor who is providing the opinion.
Advice: Obtain your medical treatment from a specialist because the more skill and feeling your doctor has, the more likely you're to win your own claim. Note: In the event you are a member of an HMO and they will will not make you go to a specialist, consult with all your disability lawyer, who can help you obtain appropriate treatment.
Mistake #8: Assuming your doctor will support your own claim regarding disability benefits.
He may not. A few doctors refuse to help patients with their disability claims. Many doctors do not understand SSA's definition of disability and think that 1 has to be bed ridden to qualify. In general, doctors are incredibly conservative in their opinion concerning a patient's ability to work. Because SSA and a judge will want to know in case your doctor supports your own claim, it is critical you understand the same information! After you have established a partnership with your doctor you should discuss with them the fact that which you have filed a claim with regard to disability. Ask if they will will support your own claim - if these people will not, you ought to get finding another doctor because their opinion is not likely to change! It is critical your doctor supports your inability to work full period on a sustained basis!
Advice: As soon as practicable, you ought to discover whether your own doctor supports your disability claim. If not, get finding a more compassionate doctor who will. One put to find a referral is to attend a local support group for folks who share your diagnosis.
Mistake #9: Assuming you have to go to SSA's doctor for a medical examination.
Often, SSA wants to a claimant to go a disability study with a doctor/psychiatrist/psychologist it chooses. Unfortunately, the doctor is not very "independent" and certainly performs many of these examinations regarding SSA each month. In my feeling, the majority of the time the doctor will conclude you're not disabled and will return to work. Once this kind of opinion is included in your file SSA and a assess will simply have sufficient evidence to deny your claim.
Here's the good news: SSA rules allow your doctor perform the disability exam and SSA should pay regarding all or even at least part of it. Naturally, if the doctor supports your disability claim he will probably conclude your own problem precludes your own ability to work. Once your doctor's exam report is withwith your file with a conclusion that you're disabled, SSA and a judge can have sufficient medical information to approve your claim.
Advice: This particular strategy is only possible in the event you are particular your own doctor supports your claim and is willing to do the study. If you do not just have a doctor or perhaps your own doctor will not perform the study you should go to SSA's doctor or risk having your own claim denied or even closed out. This particular strategy quite should only end up being employed by a disability lawyer because complex regulations are involved and must be complied with.
Mistake #10: Assuming an entire year has to pass before you may file a disability claim.
Not true. SSA law requires which before you may end up being approved one of those following must be true: (1) you have already been disabled and out of work for one year, or perhaps (2) your doctors expect that you will be unable to work with regard to a minimum of a single year of the date you last worked, or perhaps (3) your own medical problem is expected to trigger passing away. Too many people just have advised me that an SSA employee said they was able to not file a claim until a single year had passed since they last worked. This particular information is totally incorrect and if followed, will almost certainly cost you disability benefits and medical insurance!
Advice: Apply with regard to disability benefits as soon because you or your doctors believe your medical and/or psychological problem will preclude you from working regarding at least a single year. Waiting to file will only cost you benefits that you can not become able to recover.
Mistake #11: Assuming that if you lose before a determine at a hearing, you can easily simply file another claim.
When you have a hearing before a SSA assess, you do not want to lose. This kind of is because, practically speaking, your best chance at winning is at your first hearing before a assess. True, you may file a 2nd application in the event you lose at a hearing; however, the second time you go through the process, SSA and a judge will know your first claim had been denied. In my opinion, this particular can just have a detrimental response on your own 2nd claim as the second judge will know.
Advice: Create sure your case is properly prepared so that you can easily display your own strongest case at the first hearing.
Mistake #12: Assuming you can easily handle your own case without a disability lawyer.
Most people can not. SSA disability laws are complex, even many lawyers do not understand them. To win your claim, you should very carefully prepare your own case of the very beginning. In addition, it is critical to understand what you need to prove legally if you want to win your case; in the event you do not understand everything you need to prove - why would you risk going before SSA or perhaps a determine without knowing how to win your own case? The truth that that you and your doctor agree you are disabled is not enough to win your case.
Advice: Retain only an experienced disability lawyer. These people will help build your case, develop a case strategy, get a complete set of your own medical records and critical opinions from your doctor that will maximize your chances of success. More usually compared to not, your doctor wont become familiar with the stringent criteria which SSA and a determine will utilize in determining whether you meet their definition of disability.
Mistake #13: Assuming any lawyer may help you win your claim.
Not true. You want a disability lawyer who is familiar with SSA laws and regulations. Comparable to doctors, attorneys generally specialize in a specific area of these law. You wouldn't go to a dentist for a physical research, so do not pick just "any" attorney to represent you in your disability claim.
Advice: Choose a disability lawyer who's practice is dedicated to representing clients because your own odds of winning will grow up. A seasoned disability attorney will know the strategy and tactics which are crucial to helping you win your claim.
Mistake #14: Assuming you should not hire a lawyer until your case has initially been denied.
Not true. You can hire a lawyer any kind of time you wish. Unfortunately, many employees at SSA will notify you that it is not necessary to hire an attorney until you just have been initially denied. Following this kind of advice was able to be fatal to your claim! Why? Because in general, SSA will begin preparing a case against you of the day you file your own application!
Advice: You ought to consult with and/or hire a disability attorney as soon as possible after you file your application. The attorney can explain how the process really works and lay the proper foundation for your case by developing a case strategy. The attorney may also guide your own case through the myriad of rules and regulations which are specific to just have an effect on your entitlement to benefits.
Mistake #15: Assuming that you can not afford a lawyer.
Not true. In almost every case, you'll only pay the attorney a fee if and when you have won your case and received benefits. SSA law limits the amount of money your lawyer can easily earn from your own disability claim. Frequently, by the time you win your own claim you'll simply have accrued back benefits. The law mandates the fee can only be 25% of your own past benefits and is capped at $4,000. In other words, if your back benefits total $1,000.00, the attorney's fee would become $250.00. The law does not allow your lawyer to charge a fee on your future benefits.
What can easily end up being at stake? By way of example, assume a claimant is 45 years old and their monthly disability benefit is $1,000.00. In case your person never returns to work before age 65, their disability benefits would total $240,000.00! This particular amount does not include the value of the lifetime health insurance they would also receive through Medicare or even Medicaid.
Advice: Because the amount of those benefits may be staggering, the truth is, you can not afford not to hire an experienced disability attorney!
You have some really great tips for those that are filing for disability! I am trying to help my brother out with this, and I had no idea about some of these. I will definitely remember these if we lose the case and want to file again. Then hopefully try again to get him the social security to help him out! http://www.mooneyparklaw.com/Social-Security-Disability-Claims/
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