Surviving the SSDI Approval Process in 3 Easy Steps
U.S. citizens who become permanently disabled are eligible to receive benefits via the Social Security Administration. While it is understood that this process can take some time, most applicants don't truly understand how long it takes from the time that they apply until they are finally approved. In fact, the majority of SSDI claims are denied initially. If you want to expedite the process and have the best chance of being approved, follow these three easy steps.
1. Work with Your Doctor to Secure Your Medical Records
Prior to submitting an application for Social Security disability benefits, you have to ensure that you have the proof to back up your claims. For those who are employed, many times short term disability benefits are the first step in the process. In order to receive compensation for any sort of injury or debilitating disease, you need to have your condition documented by a physician. This is a crucial step because the Social Security Administration has to believe that you are totally disabled before they will approve your application.
2. Contact a Disability Attorney
Hiring an attorney that has helped other people get approved for Social Security disability is about the best thing that you can do, especially early in the process. An OKC social security attorney will guide you with filling out your application, tell you what kind of documentation to attach, and know which entities to follow up with. Remember, once you apply for disability benefits it can take several years before you receive an approval letter. By retaining an attorney, you can potentially be approved months sooner and avoid needing to go through the appeal process. Although working with a social security attorney doesn't guarantee approval, it usually greatly improves your odds.
3. Meet All of the Social Security Administration's Specifications
After applying for SSDI, you may be scheduled for a hearing before an administrative law judge. You might also be asked to follow out forms, meet with an intake officer, or meet with a doctor specifically picked by Social Security. You may be asked to respond to a letter by a certain date, or even to provide more documentation proving your case. In short, you will be asked to jump through numerous hoops in order to prove your disability and for your application to be ultimately approved. As long as you meet all of Social Security's specifications, you will not experience any additional lengthy delays.
When a person is approved for Social Security disability, they are eligible to receive benefits for the rest of their natural life. A person receiving SSDI may also receive benefits on behalf of their children, receive government sponsored health insurance, and be eligible to receive other forms of assistance on federal and state levels. Being approved for SSDI is not just about receiving monetary benefits; it is about your permanent disability being formally recognized. As not all disabilities are visible to the naked eye, this can be a crucial element for people who need various types of accommodations in public and private settings without their integrity being questioned.
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