Q: Are there things an applicant can do to improve his chances for receiving social security disability benefits?
A: Although most disability cases are denied after the initial review process, you can make sure you have done everything in your power to give your case the best foundation. To start, be certain that your physician supports your case. It is imperative that your doctor provides a thorough and supportive statement regarding your condition and your inability to work. The second thing sounds obvious, but it will affect how long it takes for your case to be reviewed and whether it is approved or not. Be certain that you submit all required forms within the mandatory timelines and that everything is correct. Once you are confident your application will not be held up because of missing paperwork or errors, submit copies of your most recent medical records. Non receipt or incomplete medical information is the main cause of application delays. The fourth thing you can do to help your case is to always cooperate with the case manager and other representatives handling your claim. Number five on the list is to always know where your case is in the review process. You can do this by contacting your disability examiner directly or through your social security lawyer (if you have one). Similarly, if you do have a social security lawyer, periodically check in with him or her to make sure you have provided all the necessary information, etc.
Q: Do you need a social security lawyer to win a disability claim?
A: You do not need to have representation from a social security lawyer to submit an application for disability. It may be wise, though, to hire an attorney if your initial application for benefits was not approved. You will need to submit paperwork to have your claim reconsidered. To have a claim reconsidered, it does not need to be represented by a social security lawyer. The majority of claims, however, are still not approved after being reconsidered. And the next step after reconsideration is an appeal to have the case heard before an administrative judge. It is not mandatory that you have a lawyer to go through the hearing phase. The majority of claims that are approved after being heard before a judge have been represented by a lawyer. The hearing phase is the last chance for your claim to be approved. The expertise of a social security lawyer will be invaluable to helping your case through the process appropriately and justly.
Q: How do you apply for social security disability benefits?
A: There are several ways to apply for social security disability benefits. Contact your nearest Social Security office by phone and make a request to submit an application. If you would rather take care of this by visiting an actual office, you can do that too. The third option is to apply online via the Social Security Administration website. A representative will call you to establish an interview date, and you can choose to do that interview in person or by telephone.