Alright, so you get the word. You have an appointment with Social Security coming up. You got your papers. You got everything you need. You go to your appointment. Now what?:
1) Make sure you complete what they give you and send it back.
In some situations, Social Security is going to probably give some forms to sign. These forms are designed to assist Social Security in obtaining the records and information that they need for you. If you DON’T complete this information, Social Security can’t develop your case. If that happens, your case could be closed for lack of evidence or failure to comply.
2) Your case may be LEAVING SSA to DDS.
Depending on your state, once Social Security has your forms, your case may be referred to a state agency responsible for developing your case. This agency is called the Disability Determination Services.
3) What does it mean “DEVELOP my case”??
When you apply for Social Security Disability, you are indicating that you are DISABLED. In order to determine if you ARE disabled, they need to get your medical records. In essence, they have to develop your file to determine if you have medical records to support your disability.
4) There is no time line so stop being a pest.
Social Security recognizes that they have a lot of cases so they take every effort to aggressively push their cases forward. However, they don’t drag their feet because they are trying to keep you back. In most cases, Social Security and DDS are awaiting the evidence they need to make a determination. So the WAIT is what they are doing as well.
5) Get your point of contacts right (i.e. 3d parties)
Most people don’t realize that part of the delay in your case is due to lack of response from your 3d parties (you know, the people you listed that Social Security could talk to about your case). Make sure you inform your third parties that they may be getting a call from Social Security about YOU!
6) Get your doctors right (i.e. medical records)
Docs get request for records ALLLLLLL the time so please take the time to make sure you inform them that these request are on the way so they can make the effort to ensure the records are available. Here’s a little tip for you. Social Security works on a budget just like any other organization so they are not going to pay $200 to $400 and above for a huge file on you.
7) They have to consider everything so if you SAY it, they will consider it.
You have to think about what it is that keeps you from being able to work. The law regards the Social Security Administration to consider your combination of impairments. With that being said, be careful. If you mention something new every time they talk to you, Social Security is going to investigate it and THAT may take time.
YOU don’t run the show. THEY do!
Alot of times, CLAIMANTs will want to TELL SSA or DDS exactly what it is that is keeping them from working and what specifically they need to look at in terms of medical records. In other words, if you’ve been to 4 doctors but one of them says you’re disabled, you may tell SSA or DDS to ignore those other 3 because the one that says you’re disabled is the one they should focus. NOT! Social Security has to consider everything.
9) I got a DENIAL! Now what?
APPEAL! APPEAL! APPEAL! Most people don’t realize that you don’t get your best opportunity for results unless you appeal your case. Take it to the next step.
10) If I appeal, what happens?
Depending on the state, you either case will be re-reviewed (Reconsideration) or go before a Judge (Hearing). If it’s reconsidered, you will go through the whole process again so they can determine if they got it wrong. If it’s a hearing, it goes from the Local Office to the Hearing office for a hearing date.
The biggest thing that you need to know is that you need to be patient. The process is not short but be mindful that YOU may do things that may cause the process to go on longer.
