Please don’t OVERTHINK those Social Security Disability forms!!
Like most administrative processes, Social Security Disability is VERY paper work heavy. After you have applied for disability benefits, you will receive a CRAP load of forms to complete. Work history forms, pain forms, mental forms, 3d party forms. If it relates to your condition, you will get a form about it.
However, I can’t tell you how many times people get these forms and LITERALLY lose their minds. Now, I’m not trying to be ’stank’ but these forms tends to frustrate people when they receive them.
In an attempt to calm your mind, here’s a few things to think about when you get these forms:
1) If you ADD stuff that you didn’t you didn’t previously mention, SSA will have to investigate
People always feel the need to “throw in the kitchen sink” when it comes to their conditions. I’m a firm believer that SSA needs to be aware of all conditions that affect your ability to work. However, you have to be smart. NOT every condition is going to affect your ability to work. So be mindful, focus your attention on those conditions that affect your ability to work. Remember, if you add it later, SSA is going to have to investigate it (Which means more time).
2) Keep copies so you can remember what you put before.
COPIES! COPIES! COPIES!! SSA will send you duplicate forms all the times. So unless you have a great memory, you’re probably not going to remember what you put on a form 3, 4, 5 or 6 months ago. Keep a copy so that you have something to refer to when the time comes.
3) It’s not that crucial. The question says what it says. DON’T READ INTO IT!!
If the question is asking “Can you cook your own meals”, that’s what the question SAYS!! These questions are not MISSION IMPOSSIBLE or 24. Stop spending so much time ANALYZING the question and thinking that you are going to ‘Out Smart’ SSA. Just answer what is being asked and move on.
4) If you don’t fill out the forms, you are just adding time to process.
So many times, I have people who refuse to fill out forms. These people either get mad because they are tired of filling out the forms or they think SSA has what they need. I got news for you. If you don’t fill out the forms, you’re either adding time to your process or risk getting a quick denial.
5) Say EXACTLY what it wants. NO MORE! NO LESS!!
This statement goes back to my “stop analyzing’ statement. IN addition, don’t use these forms as a chance to make your situation look worse than it is. If your back hurts 2 to 3 hours a day, don’t say that your back hurts 8 to 10 hours a day. Say what it actually is.
6) Stop whining about the fact that you filled out the same thing already. THAT’s THE IDEA!!!!
People, SSA is LOOKING for consistency in your statements. They are looking to see whether your statements regarding your condition (as you report it) is consistent. I know that it is easy to get frustrated when you keep filling out the same things over and over again. However, this paper work trail is designed to assist SSA in determining if your condition is the way you say it is.
7) Don’t stress about what you put down. You already sent it out so let it ride.
When you send the forms out, don’t lose your mind. You’ve written down everything so trust what you’ve written. Don’t stress on it. Just send it.
I know this post may seem a little harsh. Unfortunately, it is a necessary process and the system is not designed to BEAT you so don’t act like it is. Remember, you bear the burden of proving you are disabled. They won’t know unless you tell them accurately.
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