| One of the most frequently asked Social Security | | | | While your claimants representative or attorney should |
| disability questions is how to speed up the application | | | | provide you with a Form-827 and the SSA will mail |
| process. The application process for Social Security | | | | one to you after you make application, it nevertheless |
| Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security | | | | is a good idea to do your part and take the initiative by |
| Income (SSI) is long and tedious and can take up to | | | | asking for the form yourself. |
| 120 days to hear back from the Social Security | | | | When filling out the Adult Disability and Work History |
| Administration (SSA). Not only is the process long, but | | | | Report, it is imperative that you list all of the relevant |
| the large backlog of cases at ODAR can make any | | | | doctors that you have visited for your conditions. The |
| applicant feel as though they are unimportant and their | | | | local DDS will make a disability decision based upon |
| claim will never get through the system. What makes | | | | the medical information that you provide and they |
| matters worse is that an application can only be | | | | collect. Often times, DDS does not collect all of your |
| expedited in very rare and serious fatal forms of | | | | medical records and the SSA ends up seeing only a |
| cancer and other terminal illnesses. Since the average | | | | partial picture of your medical records. You must act |
| claimant cannot speed up the application process, it is | | | | as your own advocate and paint a complete picture |
| important to do their part by not impeding the process. | | | | for SSA to give them the best opportunity to discover |
| This article examines the Social Security disability | | | | why you should be adjudicated as disabled. At the |
| benefits application process and shows four ways an | | | | same time, it is important not to confuse DDS by |
| applicant can make sure they are doing their part in not | | | | sending them unrelated illnesses. For example, if you |
| slowing it down. | | | | have mobility issues due to lower back problems, then |
| One way a claimant can make sure the application | | | | you should not send SSA your past eye exams. While |
| process is as efficient and effective as possible is by | | | | this might seem trivial, extra records can not only |
| hiring a claimants representative or attorney who | | | | confuse DDS but slow down your application. |
| focuses his practice in Social Security disability cases | | | | One of the most important things you should |
| to assist in their case. Hire someone who will walk you | | | | remember so as to not impede your Social Security |
| through the application process every step of the way. | | | | disability benefits application is to not ignore any letters |
| Unfortunately, most claimants representatives and | | | | you receive from the SSA. The SSA might ask you to |
| attorneys will not want to help you make application | | | | fill out questionnaires or schedule appointments with |
| because the process can be time consuming and is | | | | doctors immediately after you have submitted your |
| not cost effective. People that do not receive help | | | | application. Make sure to fill out all of the requested |
| from a claimants representative or attorney often | | | | information as soon as possible. Confirm appointments |
| attempt to fill out an application online by themselves. | | | | quickly, keep those appointments, and do everything |
| After hitting the submit button, a claimant often | | | | you can to respond to SSA. By doing so, you will |
| believes that they have completed the application | | | | enable SSA to move forward with your application. |
| process. However, a completed application consists of | | | | The best way to speed up the SSA application |
| three items: a filled out application, Adult Disability and | | | | process is to not give them a reason to slow it down. |
| Work History Report, and a properly executed and | | | | Hiring an experienced claimants representative or |
| delivered copy of the Authorization to Disclose form. | | | | attorney who focuses his practice on Social Security |
| All three items need to be completed and submitted | | | | disability claims can insure that your application is fully |
| before SSA even begins to evaluate the claim. By | | | | integrated and completed. Making sure that your |
| hiring an experienced claimants representative or | | | | Form-827 is completed and sent to SSA will allow |
| Social Security disability attorney to work on your | | | | them to review your claim. Also, when filling out the |
| claim, you can insure that your claim is fully completed | | | | Adult Disability and Work History Report it is imperative |
| and integrated. | | | | to list all of your relevant medical information. Finally, |
| Another way you can prevent your claim from being | | | | make sure you answer any questions that SSA has |
| unduly delayed is by making sure that SSA has a | | | | for you and fill out any forms or questionnaires that |
| copy of your fully completed Authorization to Disclose | | | | they send to you. Be responsive, be proactive, and be |
| Medical Information (Form-827). Form-827 is the | | | | your own advocate. By doing so, you will insure that |
| medical release form that allows SSA to begin | | | | you have done everything you can to make the |
| collecting information from your doctors, hospitals, or | | | | application process go as quickly and smoothly as |
| clinics that you have visited. Until SSA receives a | | | | possible. |
| completed Form-827, your claim will not be initiated. | | | | |