Things You Can Do to Increase Your Chances of a Successful Outcome
You’ve been in an accident, and it’s made it impossible for you to work. Maybe you’ve become ill and had to leave your job. It seems clear that your injury or illness will prevent you from working for the foreseeable future. There’s a good chance that you will be eligible for disability benefits (SSDI) through the Social Security Administration. You’ve heard, though, that the process is packed with pitfalls, that it can take months or years to get the benefits you need, and that it’s common for legitimate claims to initially be denied. What can you do to give yourself the best chance of getting benefits as soon as possible? Here are some steps you can take to improve your odds.
Apply As Early As You Can
This won’t necessarily shorten the length of time it takes to get benefits, but the sooner you apply, the sooner you’ll start receiving benefits. While the initial decision by the Social Security Administration typically comes within three to five months, you may end up waiting years if you’re denied and need to file an appeal. In addition, you must wait at least six months from the date of your disability to receive your first check.
Enlist the Support of Your Doctor
When investigating your claims, the Social Security Administration will consult your physician to discuss your medical condition, as well as any proposed treatment options. Your doctor should help you prepare the “residual functional capacity” report, a necessary component of your application for benefits. Your doctor should also provide you with a complete copy of all your medical records, which you’ll need to complete the SSDI application.
Document Your Work History
The Social Security Administration tends to look more favorably upon an application for benefits when there’s concrete evidence that the applicant was fully and gainfully employed when not disabled. Include with your application a summary of your work history so investigators can see that you’re a hard-working and committed person who has sought benefits only because of a legitimate disability.
Be Thorough and Organized With All Notes and Records
More often than not, an application gets denied because the SSA doesn’t have sufficient information or documentation to approve the request. If that’s the case, they will let you know what’s missing.
It’s also important to maintain detailed notes about prescriptions, treatments, side effects, and setbacks. Document when you started taking medication, if it changed, any effects you noticed, and when your condition improved or deteriorated.
Don’t Give Up Too Easily
If your application is approved without a fight, count yourself fortunate. More than half of all first-time claims are denied. There’s a systematic appeals process, in which you can get another five bites at the apple. You’ll want an experienced SSDI attorney to help you, though.
Get the Best Legal Counsel Possible
As a practical matter, your first priority should be getting an experienced disability benefits lawyer. A proven lawyer will know exactly what needs to be done to expedite the process and maximize the likelihood that your claim will be approved.
Contact the Proven SSDI Attorneys at Bailey & Galyen
At the law offices of Bailey & Galyen, we have decades of experience helping Texans who seek SSDI benefits. We understand the unique challenges involved in the process, and we can help you take the right steps to streamline the process and improve the likelihood of getting the benefits you need. To learn how we can help you secure SSDI benefits, contact us by e-mail or call our offices at one of the convenient locations listed below. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
