Skip to main content

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT APPLYING FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY IN ALABAMA

 

Thinking about applying for Social Security disability? SSDI can pay you up to $3,822 per month if you have a long term disability which keeps you from working at least 12 straight months or more.

Here are things you must know about applying for Social Security disability in Alabama:

1. The application is lengthy and time consuming. It includes the supplementary forms "Function Report," "Disability Report" and "Work History Report." These forms must be completed with great care to avoid costly mistakes.

2. It takes a long time. In Alabama, the average wait time for a response to a new application is 222 days, or around 7 1/2 months. Also, you must keep your application updated after you apply. Mainly, you must keep Social Security informed about new doctor's appointments, medical treatment, tests, etc. after you file.

3. You must be persistent and keep on keeping on. 8 out of 10 claims will be denied initially because "you do not meet our rules for disability." However, it is important to appeal each denial within the legal deadline (60 days). Keep kicking your case upward for further review until you eventually reach the hearing level and go before an administrative law judge. The higher up you go, the greater your chances become.

4. Consider legal representation. While you are not required to have a lawyer or professional advocate, getting one will seriously increase your odds of approval. This is especially true in the appeals process--where lawyers and advocates are specially trained to win cases. You will not pay any legal fee until Social Security approves your claim or appeal AND pays you past due benefits or "back pay."

Social Security disability claims must be proven. This involves medical records to prove that you cannot work. Gathering medical proof is a huge part of the job. But without it, your claim will definitely fail. Contact a highly successful advocate, like the ones at The Forsythe Firm in Huntsville, to assist you with Social Security disability.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

RED FLAGS IN SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY CASES

  RED FLAGS IN A SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY CASE A red flag is something that causes concern or raises a problem in a Social Security disability case.   In short, it’s something that may get the claim denied or cause a big problem. Here are some of the red flags that we see crop up: ·          Work after the alleged onset date (AOD).   Since the process takes so long, many claimants feel that they are forced to return to work for income.   Social Security often sees this as a sign that the claimant is not disabled. ·          Severe substance abuse.   Chronic and frequent abuse of drugs or alcohol can pose problems. ·           A skimpy work record.   A claimant who has worked very little or has jumped from job to job frequently may not have good credibility. ·          Quitting wo...
Post a Comment
Read more

WHAT YOU WILL BE ASKED AT A DISABILITY HEARING

Most Social Security disability claims will be denied twice:  First at the end of the Application process, and again after the "Reconsideration" process.  The third stop will be a hearing before a federal Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). It is here at the hearing level that most SSDI claims are paid.  So, what do you need to know about your Social Security disability hearing?     First, the judge will follow the rules established by the Social Security Administration.  His or her job is to determine whether you meet the particular laws and rules to receive disability payments.  So, it is a legal proceeding where you must prove certain things in order to get paid. Among the things you must prove:  Your insured status with Social Security:  You have worked recently enough and paid into the Social Security trust fund to gain the required "work credits" to support your claim.  You have a severe medical or mental impairment supported by adequa...
Post a Comment
Read more

HOW TO COMPLETE A FUNCTION REPORT OR ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING FORM

After you apply for Social Security Disability (SSDI), you will be sent a FUNCTION REPORT to fill out and return.  This form asks a lot of very detailed questions about your daily activities:  driving, cooking, cleaning, dressing, visiting others, hobbies, etc. The Social Security Administration will use your answers to determine whether you can work or not.  You must show on this Function Report that you have limitations that do not permit you to work a full-time job.  You do this by showing your limitations in activities of daily living. Your goal in the Function Report is to show the struggles and challenges you have with everyday life.  It may not be sufficient to answer a question with "Yes" and fail to explain. For example:  "Can you drive?"  If you answer "Yes," Social Security will assume that your ability to drive is unlimited:  you can drive anytime, anywhere and as often or as far as you want.  That may not be true and would need t...
Post a Comment
Read more