The SSA is not in the business of denying claims. They want to help you, its what they do. Unfortunately,
the vast majority of people filing disability claims, having no
experience and being ill on top of that, don't give a complete medical
history with their original application. This is the number one error
applicants make when filing.
Once you file an incomplete
application you set into motion the "system" put into place to
literally wade through the piles of incomplete paperwork the SSA is
inundated with daily. From here you will likely end up in a hearing
somewhere in the future. And remember, there are millions of
illegitimate claims mixed in with the real thing.
Just so
you know, I don't work for SSA or know anyone who does. I did attend a
workshop for case workers with mental health clients where the SSA
spoke about the process and how to assist clients with their cases. But
I had already applied and won my own disability case, the first time,
three years prior. And since then I have advocated for several mental
health clients as a volunteer.
If you
want to win your case, or help someone else, then document everything.
When I did my medical history I gave names and addresses for every
doctor I had seen as an adult with approximate treatment dates. I was
sick, I couldn't concentrate, my spouse abandoned me, and I didn't
finish the ap in record time, it took months, but I went through phone
books and located addresses and phone numbers and gradually built my
records from nothing. If you give a complete history with the first
application, you give the SSA the tools they need to do their job. And
you avoid being "dumped" into the "system".
In addition to having a complete medical history, this also includes
hospitalizations, you will need to notify all your current doctors that
you are applying for disability so when they are contacted by SSA they
are aware and ready to support your claim. Any doctor contacted for
medical records will have to produce them and if you have a history and
diagnosis that is all that is generally required. It is a good idea to
verify your record of diagnosis as well.
As
I said above it is hard to compile all medical records and you may want
to have a friend or family member assist you. Verifying dates of
service may require some phone calls to providers, you want to dates as
accurate as possible.
From this point forward I highly
recommend that everyone keep a copy of your ap and a current listing of
all medical providers which you will update each time you have
something new to add. You will find this to be very handy in the
future.
Once you have won your claim, SSA will send periodic requests for information including update health records.
If
you have minor children you will also be able to collect small checks
for them as well, to be used for their needs at your discretion. Even
if your children live with an ex spouse they should be eligible and you
will still be the payee on their behalf.
Ok, if you have
filed and been denied then the SSA will notify you of any information
they need from you. However it is to your benefit to see someone at SSA
in person at this point. Waiting for them to respond to you is hardly
to your advantage at this stage. You can also contact them by phone. Be
prepared to wait because the offices are generally packed with people,
bring a good book to read. I must say the offices are very efficient at
moving the lines along so you won't necessarily wait long. You want to
know what supporting documents the SSA needs and if any medical records
were not received by them. During this time you will need to update the
SSA with any new medical changes such as doctor changes,
hospitalizations and trips to the ER as well as med changes.
When
you provide all this detailed information and continually follow up you
give a positive impression and your claim is significantly more likely
to move through the process. From the time I applied to the time I
received my first check took under five months.
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