• 
• Anthony Reeves is the founder of the Reeves Law Firm, with practice areas in the area of Social Security Disability, Labor and Employment, Personal Industry, Industrial Accidents, and Family Law.

• Law Firm Spotlight

• Topics

  • Business Law
  • Contracts
  • Daily Lessons
  • family law
  • General Legal Information
  • Health Law
  • Industrial Hygiene
  • Intellectual Property
  • Labor & Employment
  • Personal Injury
  • Politics
  • Social Security
  • Tips for dealing with attorneys
  • Uncategorized
  • Wills, Estates, and Trusts

Tips for speeding up your Social Security Disability case

Ok, before I get started, let me dispel a couple of quick myths about what WON’T speed up your case.  First, even if you hire a representative, this will not guarantee that your case will speed up.  Hiring a representative is extremely helpful but it does not guarantee that your case will move forward any faster.  Second, a letter from your doctor.  If your doctor hasn’t been providing medical records but will give you a letter when you ask for it, you can’t be surprised if your case doesn’t move forward.  Social Security relies on medical evidence and a one page letter (or script) from your doctor isn’t always going to help (it may in the long run but probably not immediately).

However, as I stated, I want to provide a few tips that may be helpful to you in getting your case moved forward:
1) When you apply, give them EVERYTHING they need right THEN!!
Social Security usually requires you to fill out a few forms in order to get your claim going.  With the internet, you can do everything on line.   Complete all of these documents

2) Confirm, copy, and communicate, part 1 (Make sure they have everything).
After you turn everything in, call SSA to make sure that they have what they need from you.  The last thing you want to have is a situation where SSA doesn’t have everything that you THOUGHT you turned in to them.

3) Prepare your third parties for the forms and the calls.  Third parties can make your life difficult
SSA is going to ask for you to provide the names of people who can tell them about your condition.  They may call these people or send them forms.  Make sure  you let your people know that they should expect a call from SSA.  Make sure you let your people know that they need to complete these forms and send them back as fast as possible.

4) Get your doctor right.
Remember, your doctors are very busy.   It’s important that you take the time to let your doctor know that you’re applying for Social Security so they can be aware of any forms that may come in and records request.

5) When they (SSA, ODD) call you, LISTEN and DO what they say.
Nine times out of 10 when SSA leaves you a message, they will leave you a message SPECIFICALLY telling you what they want or need.  So why are you deleting the message and spending the next 10 days repeatedly calling them back to ask them what they want?

6) Make EVERY appointment.
Remember, SSA may send you to see some of their doctors or have you come in to provide more information.  DON’T MISS ONE appointment!

7) Confirm, copy, and communicate, part 2 (Find out what they need).
After a period of time, you may want to contact SSA to find out if there is anything additional that they need.  If they are waiting on your doctors or your friends, you may be able to follow up on your behalf to speed up the process.

If your case becomes Critical, let them know.
If you are in a situation where you are in foreclosure or you have a pending eviction or you are unable to purchase food, let SSA know.  It may help speed your case.

9) If your case becomes TERMINAL, let them know.
If you have a health condition that has been LIFE THREATENING, let SSA know immediately.  Terminal cases  tend to move to the front.

10) Do what your doctor says, PERIOD!
Remember, unless you’re a doctor, you didn’t go to med school.  Follow your doctor’s recommendations and comply with their instructions.

11) If you move, let them know THAT day.
Also, don’t forget that the first person you should notify of any move you make is SSA.   If they don’t know, they can’t be aware.  They are going to need to know your whereabouts.

12) Go ON with your life.

Now, I know you are probably wondering how much time these things will shave off the process.  Unfortunately, there is no way for me to provide you an accurate number.  Just be aware that these things will go a long towards to helping your process move quickly and more effectively.

Comments