I know you’re fired up. You can’t seem to understand why you are applying for Social Security and your Long Term Disability or your VA benefits or your State Disability benefits or your Workers Compensation has already been approved. It’s an OUTRAGE! Right? Isn’t it??
Uhhhh, NO! But wait a minute, does it help? If my LTD carrier has approved me, shouldn’t I get Social Security right away?? What about the VA? They are federal, too. Shouldn’t that matter? Does it matter? Huh? What??
Uhhhh, NO!
Ok, now that I have done a thoroughly effective job of throwing water on the fire, let me give the ‘down and dirty’ about other disability programs and Social Security:
1) Getting Disability from another source does NOT guarantee approval for Social Security
It is important to know from the beginning that the Social Security Administration is not BOUND by any disability determination by another agency. In other words, just because someone has determined that you are disabled, doesn’t mean that Social Security has to make the same decision. Most people don’t realize that each agency uses a different standard to determine disability.
2) Getting disability from another source may be helpful to your Social Security case.
The nice thing about other disability sources is that they are usually very medical intensive. They go through a lot of steps to get doctors to complete forms, give opinions, or give assessments. This information can be beneficial to your case.
3) Getting disability from another source may be harmful to your Social Security case.
It’s also important to remember that any statements made against your interest. For instance, if a doctor completes a form for a Long Term Disability carrier saying that your condition will only last 9 months and you should return back to work, this goes against SSA’s requirement that your condition keeps you out of work for 12 months or more.
4) If you have the opportunity to apply for something else, IN ADDITION, to Social Security, you should.
However, if you have the opportunity to apply for LTD, STD, VA, WC, or any disability type program while you’re waiting for Social Security, you should. Why? For one, they tend to approve or deny faster. Two, if you get approved, you will have money coming in while you wait. Three, any paperwork used here can be forwarded to Social Security.
5) Make sure you let Social Security know that you are applying (or that you have been approved) for other disability programs.
I hate to say this so don’t think I’m being a smart ass but Social Security workers don’t have ESP and they can’t read minds. If you don’t tell them that you are applying for another disability program or that you got approved, they won’t know.
Remember, Social Security disability is a lengthy process so anything that you can provide to improve your opportunities may be helpful.
