DISABILITY SURVIVAL GUIDE: NORTH ALABAMA EDITION

1.  WAITING TOO LONG TO APPLY: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) only covers you for a limited time after you stop working. If you haven't worked in the last 5 years, you may have waited too long to file a new SSDI claim. Talk to a disability attorney or the local Social Security office to find out. 2.  GIVING UP. About 7 out of 10 applications for disability are denied.  Being denied doesn't mean you are not qualified for benefits, it means the system has failed you.  Many of these denials are in error and can be won with an appeal.  Never accept a denied claim as the end of the line.  Your best chance still lies ahead--in the appeals system. Contact an experienced attorney/advocate and file a written appeal. You will need to file the following forms: A Request for Reconsideration form ( Form SSA-561 ) if this is the first appeal; or Request for Hearing form ( Form SSA-501 ) if this is your second appeal on this claim. A Disability Report – Appe...