| Is the disability system operated by the U.S. Federal | | | | about to lose your home, or your health insurance, it |
| government a fair and compassionate one?. Well, the | | | | may have little impact on how long it takes to process |
| simple truth is, the disability system that is set up to | | | | your claim. |
| help you when you are most in need...rarely does that. | | | | Here's a couple of useful tips, though: if you find |
| Yes, you may eventually win your social security | | | | yourself in the position of having to apply for ssd or ssi |
| disability benefits, but the chances are good that you | | | | disability benefits, keep in mind that the process will be |
| won't receive a cent until you've lost your home, your | | | | very long. This way, you can make better financial |
| savings, your health insurance (and access to | | | | decisions. The second tip is this: make sure you keep |
| medications and medical treatment), and, to add insult | | | | up to date with your medical treatment since that is |
| to injury, a fair portion of your dignity as well. | | | | what a decision on your claim will be based on. Even if |
| From the very start of the process, to the very end, | | | | you don't have medical health insurance any longer, try |
| individuals who are approved for either social security | | | | to be seen at a free clinic or county health department. |
| disability or ssi benefits may have to endure a process | | | | Always keep in mind that if you haven't been seen by |
| that can last as long as three years. Sound ridiculous? | | | | a doctor recently, it will be extremely difficult for an |
| No doubt, it is, and quite dispassionate as well. | | | | approval to be made on your behalf. |
| Individuals who apply for disability benefits typically are | | | | Following just a few simple tips like these can often |
| between a rock and a hard place. They are unable to | | | | have the effect of making the disability process a bit |
| go to work and every day without income is a day | | | | less harsh, and, in some cases, more endurable. |
| they come closer to not having a home in which to live. | | | | The author of this article is Timothy Moore, who, in |
| But despite such awful scenarios, the social security | | | | addition to being a former food stamp caseworker, |
| disability system is not geared to even take into | | | | medicaid caseworker and AFDC caseworker, is a |
| consideration such emergency situations. If you are | | | | former disability claims examiner. |