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Keeping a Diary

Nov01
2013 1,552 Comments Written by admin

Whether you are planning to file a claim for Social Security disability benefits, or already have filed and been denied, keeping a diary is an great way to improve your chances of success.

In your diary you can record your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy – you can use a wall or pocket calendar, a notepad, or a computer spreadsheet.

You can record pain, headaches, and sleep problems. You can also record medications and doctor visits. Each entry doesn’t need to be very long – just long enough to describe what you are experiencing.

At your disability hearing, such a diary will help you give stronger testimony. You will be able to give a detailed account of your symptoms and how they affect your daily life and thus increase your chances of winning your claim.

Posted in How to Help Your Claim

The Importance of Ongoing Medical Treatment

Oct28
2013 579 Comments Written by admin

It is a mistake to think you can go to your Social Security disability hearing in front of a judge and expect the judge to believe that you are disabled if you have no current medical evidence to present.

Too often claimants think that they cannot go to the doctor because they can’t afford insurance. It may be true that you can’t go to some doctors because you don’t have insurance. However, if you do not have money to pay for health insurance and you meet other financial eligibility criteria, you may apply for ArrowCare or MediCal. If you are approved, you may receive medical care including prescription medications.

Help your case by obtaining the necessary treatment for your disability. Be sure that your treatment is consistent and ongoing so that the judge can see that you are doing all you can to help yourself and that there is medical evidence to support your statements as to why you cannot work.

Posted in Medical

Social Security Disability and the “Younger” Individual

Aug29
2011 891 Comments Written by admin

If you are between 18 years old and 50 years old, you are in the most problematical age range to get Social Security disability benefits.

Before you turn 18, Social Security uses the “child” standard for disability evaluations.

After you turn 18, though, Social Security disability uses the “adult” standard. You have to show that you are unable to do any type of work which exists in substantial numbers in the local and national economy. That basically means that you have to convince Social Security that you can’t do any kind of work.

Some attorneys won’t take a case where an individual is under 50 years of age. However it is possible to win such a Social Security disability case. It is just harder and your attorney has to work harder. But after all, that is why you are hiring an attorney in the first place.

Posted in Overview

A Bird’s Eye View of the Social Security Disability Process

Jul27
2011 1,085 Comments Written by admin

In a perfect world, people who are genuinely disabled would quickly be granted Social Security disability benefits and medical care. Unfortunately, the Social Security disability benefit system as it is currently handled by the Social Security Administration does not function in this manner.

Most Social Security and SSI disability claims will be denied at the initial claim level and will need to be pursued at least to the hearing level.

However, you can boost your chances of winning a Social Security disability claim as follows:

1. Get your primary doctor and any specialist whom you see to support your disability case and have him or her complete a detailed report as to why you are disabled and unable to work.

2. Submit copies of your medical records up to the present when you apply and each time you appeal.

3. Cooperate fully with the Disability Examiner working on your case. This includes responding promptly to letters and notices, as well as going to any medical exams scheduled by DDS.

4. Keep tabs (personally or via an attorney or representative) on the status of your Social Security disability case. If you are not represented, call DDS for updates on an initial claim or reconsideration. Don’t call the 1-800 number because you will be on hold for a long time and the information you get may be incorrect.

5. Don’t let important deadlines go by on your SSDI or SSI disability claim.

6. Retain an attorney as soon as your disability claim is denied.

7. Maintain a good relationship with the people who work on your case – this includes the Claims Rep at Social Security, the Examiner at DDS, and your attorney.

Posted in How to Help Your Claim, Overview
"There are seldom. If ever, any hopeless situations, but there are many people who lose hope in the face of some situations. Zig Ziglar"
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