What’s delaying YOUR Social Security claim?
Looky heya!! Recognize a simple fact. The Social Security process is SLOW!! Ain’t no sugar coating. It just is. If you’re in a jurisdiction that is moving a little faster than normal, consider yourself lucky.
However, before you start blaming everything on the process, you need to stop and yourself what is causing the delay. The Social Security Administration is taking aggressive steps towards becoming completely electronic which ultimately will speed up the process. However, you still need to appreciate that the process is not something that will happen over night.
Here’s some things that you need to appreciate right out the gate:
1) When you apply, DON’T SET YOUR CLOCK by the timeline Social Security tells you!
You know what I’m talking about when I say this to you. You go and you apply and Social Security tells you that you should have a decision in about 60 to 120 days. What do you do? You set your clock by it. So when 120 days comes around, you start BLOWING up the phones!!! Recognize, there are no set timelines for when Social Security can make their decisions. They are processing them as fast as possible but in some cases, it may be against your interest if they process your claim without all of the information.
2) You need to understand what happens once you file.
Depending on your state, it usually goes down like this:
- You file
You usually don’t file right away. You usually have to go and file online or go in person. IF you have to make an appointment, this may take a while.
- they determine which programs you’re eligible
This portion of the process is fairly quick. Either you are or you’re not. Pretty simple
- They send your file to the disability determination section
This section is the most important part because they are responsible for developing the medical portion of your program.
- Disability sends out forms to you and your family and friends
When you write down the names of the people you want SSA to contact, you better contact your friends and family and let them know that it’s coming. Usually, this portion takes the longest because people don’t always fill out the forms as fast as YOU would like.
- Disability sends out requests for Medical Records
Listen, don’t hate but the fact is simply that YOUR medical records are crucial for you to get approved. So if your doctors don’t send the records back in a timely fashion, this slows up the process.
3) Blowing up the phones like it’s going out of style does NOT help your case.
Contrary to popular belief, going BUCK WILD on the phone does NOT help your case. I’m not saying you should suck up to anyone but remember, you’re dealing with people who are processing anywhere from 50 to 100 cases a week. So what does that mean?? Use some common sense, if someone called you ‘cussing you out’ about something that you KNOW you’re doing the best you can, would you REALLY work hard for them??
4) A representative helps but they are NOT a magician!
Representatives who take claims tyically pride themselves on their ability to determine if a case has a likelihood to succeed. However, alot of people think that once they get a representative then BAM, it’s ON like Donkey Kong!! You gotta remember that the representative provides you, among other things, three benefits. One, they can tell you about the strengths and weaknesses of your case. Two, they can tell you how the law will respond to your facts and how the judge you are facing may decide your facts. Three, they are the point of reference for Social Security regarding you and your medical records. Now, I know that some representatives will tell you that they can get you YO MONEY fast and if you find one like that, then RIDE OUT! Just remember, they deal with this on a regular basis, so don’t kill the messenger if they are not getting you the results you’re looking.
5) Before you start CHECKING people, CHECK YOURSELF!
I know this sounds crazy but alot of time, people don’t give credit to what part they play in the DELAY! Did you MISS your appointment with the Social Security Doctor?? Did you send all the forms in to Social Security that they asked for you to send? Are you doing what your doctors are telling you to do? Did you move and not tell Social Security that you are moving? Did you get a new doctor and not tell Social Security?
6) Remember where you’re located.
If you’re living in a large metropolitan area, recognize that that means you got a CRAP load of claims being failed. Also, if you’re living in a small area, you may have only ONE office servicing a BUNCH of areas. Either way, it’s still a lot of claims coming and going.
Listen, I know the Social Security process is a pain in the backside and I know that it’s frustrating but make sure you remember that the Social Security process is not a ’slide your quarter and watch the machine move’ process. You play an integral part and it’s important that you remember that the delay could be more than you think.
Comments
Leave a Reply