subject: 5 Things to Keep In Mind When Filing For Social Security Disability Benefits [print this page] 5 Things to Keep In Mind When Filing For Social Security Disability Benefits
You should seek the advice of a social security disability lawyer before filing a claim for disability benefits. He will verify the information furnished and make changes if necessary taking care that your application fulfills the eligibility criteria specified by the social security administration.Properly Filled ApplicationYou can download SSD benefit application form from the SSA website or visit the local SSA office for a copy. For an average American filling in the form might seem a complex and daunting task. It would therefore be better to hire the services of a social security disability lawyer who will ensure that you fill in all the required details properly with adequate evidence to back your claims.Timely ActionNever delay the filing of application for SSD benefits. Even if you are approved the first time, the filing process can take up to a year to complete. Any delay in filing the application or failure to furnish information requested by the SSA on time will sabotage your chances even though your case might be genuine.Employment RecordSSA will take into account your employment history ten years prior to the date of your disability. You should have been employed gainfully for at least five of the ten years prior to being disabled. In addition to this it is important that social security disability insurance was being deducted from your salary. It is important that you have pay slips, bank account statements and other relevant documents to substantiate your claim. SSA will compare the evidence submitted by you with the form W2 submitted by your employer to verify your claim.Letter from the EmployerYou can request your employer to give a written statement that your disability was the cause for being unable to work. You can also ask him to include details of your job profile and your performance before you were disabled. This will give an idea of the way in which disability has rendered you incapable of performing any monetarily productive work. You'll need the help of a social security disability lawyer to walk you through these matters.Medical RecordThis is the most critical record upon which your claim's approval will depend. You should maintain a record of the hospital visits, medications prescribed, investigations done, record of any therapy done, medical bills, and other relevant information. This will serve to impress upon the SSA representatives the extent of disability and the expenditure you are incurring on healthcare after being disabled.Social security disability lawyer might also request your doctor to give a letter describing your current health status, probable prognosis, and the time it might take for you to completely recover and undertake gainful employment.It is important to understand the whole process and keep all the relevant data ready. A good social security disability lawyer will guide you at every step of filing the claim and will also regularly pursue the case and update you about the status.
