| The process of applying for and getting Social Security | | | | SSA's theory is, if the applicant is really disabled, they |
| Disability is very long and convoluted; hopefully, this | | | | will be persistent and continue the process. |
| article will shed some light on the things one can do to | | | | The second stage of the process is where a good |
| smooth out the process and what to expect along the | | | | disability attorney will be of great help. |
| way. | | | | This stage is called the reconsideration stage. Your |
| Once you have become disabled, do two things | | | | attorney will file an appeal with the SSA requesting a |
| immediately, | | | | reconsideration of your case based on certain facts. |
| Consult a competent disability attorney | | | | This is where the new medical documentation can be |
| Start the application process with the Social Security | | | | submitted to help your case. This stage generally |
| Administration. This link will take you directly to the | | | | takes about 3 months for the reconsideration. |
| Social Security website where you can find out more | | | | The sad fact is you are just as likely to get turned |
| about applying online and the guidelines for disability. | | | | down at this stage as you were at the first stage. |
| Once you have started the process, the SSA will do | | | | Once you have received the reconsideration denial |
| two things, they will send you paperwork to be filled | | | | from the SSA, consult with your attorney about the |
| out and signed so that they may obtain medical | | | | third stage of the process, the Administrative Hearing. |
| records. It would be helpful here if you compiled a list | | | | This process is by far the longest of the three, but the |
| of every doctor, hospital, clinic etc you have been to in | | | | good news is that more than 85% of the cases get |
| the past 2 years. The more accurate information you | | | | approved at this stage. So hang in there!! |
| can give them at this step the better it will be when | | | | Your attorney will file the paperwork with the SSA |
| they request the records for review later in the | | | | requesting an Administrative Hearing before the |
| process. | | | | Administrative Law Judge. |
| Secondly, they will schedule a phone interview with | | | | Once the SSA receives your request, it can be |
| you to ask some general questions about your | | | | anywhere from 9 months to 12 months before getting |
| working years, family etc. They will be able to tell you | | | | the actual hearing. This depends upon which state you |
| at this stage approximately how much disability you | | | | live in and how many Administrative Law Judges hear |
| could receive each month if approved and also in you | | | | the cases. |
| qualify for Social Security Supplemental Income. The | | | | I know in my particular case, in Indiana, they have 3 |
| amount you may receive depends on factors such as | | | | judges that hear the cases for Indiana and some of |
| family size, years worked, overall wages etc. | | | | the surrounding states so it can take many, many |
| The SSA will also send paperwork to be completed | | | | months to get to the actual hearing. |
| that concerns your disability directly and how it affects | | | | Once the hearing is scheduled, the SSA will send you |
| your everyday life. They ask numerous questions | | | | and your attorney a notice of hearing, 20 days prior to |
| concerning ability to work, mobility, daily living, personal | | | | the date of the hearing. Your attorney will then consult |
| care etc. Answer them in as much specific detail as | | | | with you on how the hearings work, what questions |
| possible because this is one of the main documents | | | | the judges may ask, what questions he/she may ask |
| that the examiners will review when deciding your | | | | you etc. |
| case, so the more that you can tell them about how it | | | | The hearing can be a scary thing, but your attorney will |
| affects your life the better. Your attorney can guide | | | | guide you and the judges understand your feelings so |
| you in completing this paperwork. | | | | just answer all questions to the best of your ability. |
| Once all the paperwork is completed it will be sent, in | | | | Once your case has been approved, the |
| most states, to the state disability determination bureau. | | | | Administrative Law Judge can issue a ruling for |
| The SAA has contracts with most states so that the | | | | immediate payments. You will receive a lump sum |
| state examiners review the first step of the application | | | | payment from the SSA that covers from the sixth |
| process for the SSA. | | | | month after you first applied to the current month, the |
| This review can take as much as 6 - 9 months. There | | | | SSA has a 6 month waiting period before disability |
| is really nothing you can do at this stage other than | | | | payments can begin even in the cases that get |
| gather any new medical records you may have and | | | | approved in the first stage. |
| keep in contact with your attorney as he may advise | | | | After the lump sum payment you will receive monthly |
| you to make regular visits to your physician so that | | | | checks. |
| current documentation of your disability will be available | | | | As you can see, the process for getting SSA disability |
| for the second stage of the process. | | | | is indeed long and tedious, but having a good attorney |
| I should point out one thing here, over 85% of all | | | | and being prepared for each stage can go along way |
| disability applicants fail at this stage, so do not get | | | | in smoothing out the process an easing your fears. |
| discouraged when you are not approved. It would be | | | | This article is just an outline of the process of applying |
| much better going into this stage expecting not to be | | | | and the pitfalls one may encounter along the way, but |
| approved. The SSA does this to weed out those who | | | | hopefully one can gain some insight into the process |
| really do not qualify for disability or even need it. The | | | | an know what to expect. |