Skip to main content

WHAT NOT TO DO IF APPLYING FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY (SSDI)

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a complex program with thousands of federal rules and regulations.

So, what are things you should not do if applying for Social Security disability?

  • Don't work unless you talk to your attorney first.  Working can easily make you ineligible for an SSDI benefit.  
  • Don't lie or misrepresent anything on your application or other forms.  Credibility is very important so avoid contradictions.
  • Don't stop seeing your doctor or getting medical treatment.  Your doctor's current records are vital in getting approved for any disability. 
  • Don't ignore correspondence or forms sent to you by Social Security or your state's Disability Determination Service (DDS).
  • Don't miss any consultative physical or mental status exams scheduled for you by Social Security.
  • Don't post personal information on social media:  Social Security can and does read these posts to find out about your activities, like trips, hobbies, etc.  Careful.
  •  Don't "represent" yourself.  Really, there is no such thing as self-representation.  Failure to get professional help makes it even harder to get benefits. Get an expert.
  • Don't give up after one or two denials.  Most SSDI claims are denied TWICE before being approved.  Appeal and appeal and get your case to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge--your best chance of being approved.

______________________________

Free consultations at the Forsythe Firm, Huntsville, AL.  (256) 799-0297.  We never ask you for money.  Pay us no fee unless you are approved and get past due benefits.  Free consultations. We are eligible for Direct Pay of fees from Social Security.

 


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MUST YOU MEET A LISTING FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY?

You hear talk of getting SSDI benefits by "meeting a Listing."  What are the Listings? The Blue Book listings are found in the regulations at 20 CFR 404, Subpart P, Appendix I. The Listings are divided into 12 body systems.  Each severe impairment is listed under its respective body system.  For example, Congestive Heart Failure is listed under Section 4.00 - Cardiovascular System. When you go there, there is a list of severe symptoms, and they are severe.   If you exactly meet or equal the list of very extreme symptoms you will be automatically approved for disability. Here's the problem:  Meeting one of the listings is about as likely as winning the Super Lotto.  It is very, very unlikely that you will do so. Thus, 99 percent of claimants do not and cannot get approved by meeting a listing.  The listings are only for catastrophic, extreme impairments that most claimants simply do not have--or do not have at the severity level demanded by the listings...
Post a Comment
Read more

A DISABILITY DENIAL IS NOT THE END OF YOUR CASE

By Charles W. Forsythe The Forsythe Firm Social Security denies a lot of applications.  It's expected.  But it's not the end. The good news is:  You can probably win your case on appeal and get paid benefits.  It just takes a bit longer. About 8 out of 10 new disability claims will be routinely denied.  So, it's rather unusual to be approved just by filing an application. An appeal sounds like a last resort or tricky legal maneuver.  It's really quite common--almost  normal--in a Social Security disability case. 8 out 10 claims will be appealed at least once, often twice, before they are paid. The process that pays Social Security disability is not the application, it's the appeal process. Many claimants who don't understand the importance of appeals give up after the first denial.  A serious mistake.  You odds get better in appeals. TIME LIMIT ON APPEALS .  All unfavorable Social Security decisions must be appealed within 60 days ....
Post a Comment
Read more

SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FOR DOWNS SYNDROME

Downs Syndrome may qualify for automatic SSI disability in children. A child with Translocation Syndrome or Trisomy 21 will usually be classified as disabled from birth. This type of syndrome affects about 98 percent of the Downs Syndrome population. Social Security will want a diagnosis from a medically acceptable source and they will want certain tests.Once the documentation is presented, an SSI award may be automatic.  Those with Mosaic Down syndrome may qualify, but your child would need more than a diagnosis to be approved. Because [according to SSA] people with Mosaic Down syndrome may not have as many intellectual or physical disabilities as those with other forms of Down syndrome, you’ll need to meet another listing in the Blue Book to qualify. Social Security will consider the complications or manifestations of Downs Syndrome in making a decision. If the claimant is a child (under 18), k eep in mind that SSI is a needs-based program for families with limited resources...
Post a Comment
Read more