Archive for the ‘Disabilities’ Category
Applying for Social Security Disability: Before, During, and After
Becca asked:
The process of applying for Social Security Disability or SSI can be a complicated one. Someone applying for disability may wonder what they need to focus on while completing their application, while waiting for a decision, or even what to do after they have been approved. Here are some tips for a disability or SSI applicant that may help the process go a bit more smoothly.
1) BEFORE
While you are preparing to submit an application, there are three important factors to consider. First, focus on building a strong medical history. Social Security relies heavily on medical records and related documentation. It is important to have seen a supportive doctor for a long period of time. More than one doctor can be helpful too, especially if the other physicians are specialists. Make sure you have documentation to show a steady history of your disability from the date you believe your disability began. If you have not been seeing a doctor, start now. Do not wait for Social Security to set up a “consultative exam” with one of their doctors, as that situation is usually not very helpful to your claim. So tip #1: build a strong medical history.
The second recommendation is to keep a record of your work history. Keep a log of your employer’s name, phone number, address, the dates you worked, your duties, any difficulties you had in fulfilling those duties, and why your employment was terminated. This information will be helpful later on.
Third, prepare for a long process. Your financial situation will likely become strained before you are finally approved for disability, and you may need help from friends or family. If you have no medical insurance, you may have to ask for assistance in affording medications and doctor visits. If you are approved for disability or SSI quickly, wonderful! If you are like most disability applicants, however, you may wait years to see your disability check. Just prepare yourself in whatever way you can.
2) DURING
Once you have submitted your application, continue to see your doctor(s) and gather your medical records and other evidence for Social Security. Make copies of everything, and include as much detailed information as possible. Report changes in medications, and continue to submit evidence as it comes. Notify Social Security if your situation becomes life-threating or extremely dire, as your claim may be expedited. Make copies of eviction notices and other such urgent matters and send them to Social Security. Keep documentation of conversations with Social Security workers and file away all paperwork you receive. Remember, with thousands of other applicants going through the process with you, you may have to be assertive to make sure your disability claim is considered properly.
If you decide to hire a disability lawyer, ask around and do your research. Disability lawyers basically charge the same fees, but the service can vary considerably. The most important point in the process is the hearing level, at which point many applicants decide to hire representation. If you decide to represent yourself, be familiar with your medical records and daily activities. At the hearing, be cautious but honest in your answers.
3) AFTER
If you are denied, appeal, appeal, appeal. That is all you can do, and it is very common.
If you are approved, however, there will probably be a wait before you start to receive your disability checks. Your Medicaid benefits will also come later. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do about this wait. But once you do receive your disability or SSI benefits, be careful about working too many hours. If you work, you may not earn over Social Security’s SGA (Substantial Gainful Activity) limits. If you do earn over the limits, Social Security may terminate your disability benefits and make you pay back the benefits you did receive (during the months you exceeded SGA). At that point, it will be very hard to be approved for disability again.
Wherever you are in the disability process, best of luck.
Norma
The process of applying for Social Security Disability or SSI can be a complicated one. Someone applying for disability may wonder what they need to focus on while completing their application, while waiting for a decision, or even what to do after they have been approved. Here are some tips for a disability or SSI applicant that may help the process go a bit more smoothly.
1) BEFORE
While you are preparing to submit an application, there are three important factors to consider. First, focus on building a strong medical history. Social Security relies heavily on medical records and related documentation. It is important to have seen a supportive doctor for a long period of time. More than one doctor can be helpful too, especially if the other physicians are specialists. Make sure you have documentation to show a steady history of your disability from the date you believe your disability began. If you have not been seeing a doctor, start now. Do not wait for Social Security to set up a “consultative exam” with one of their doctors, as that situation is usually not very helpful to your claim. So tip #1: build a strong medical history.
The second recommendation is to keep a record of your work history. Keep a log of your employer’s name, phone number, address, the dates you worked, your duties, any difficulties you had in fulfilling those duties, and why your employment was terminated. This information will be helpful later on.
Third, prepare for a long process. Your financial situation will likely become strained before you are finally approved for disability, and you may need help from friends or family. If you have no medical insurance, you may have to ask for assistance in affording medications and doctor visits. If you are approved for disability or SSI quickly, wonderful! If you are like most disability applicants, however, you may wait years to see your disability check. Just prepare yourself in whatever way you can.
2) DURING
Once you have submitted your application, continue to see your doctor(s) and gather your medical records and other evidence for Social Security. Make copies of everything, and include as much detailed information as possible. Report changes in medications, and continue to submit evidence as it comes. Notify Social Security if your situation becomes life-threating or extremely dire, as your claim may be expedited. Make copies of eviction notices and other such urgent matters and send them to Social Security. Keep documentation of conversations with Social Security workers and file away all paperwork you receive. Remember, with thousands of other applicants going through the process with you, you may have to be assertive to make sure your disability claim is considered properly.
If you decide to hire a disability lawyer, ask around and do your research. Disability lawyers basically charge the same fees, but the service can vary considerably. The most important point in the process is the hearing level, at which point many applicants decide to hire representation. If you decide to represent yourself, be familiar with your medical records and daily activities. At the hearing, be cautious but honest in your answers.
3) AFTER
If you are denied, appeal, appeal, appeal. That is all you can do, and it is very common.
If you are approved, however, there will probably be a wait before you start to receive your disability checks. Your Medicaid benefits will also come later. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do about this wait. But once you do receive your disability or SSI benefits, be careful about working too many hours. If you work, you may not earn over Social Security’s SGA (Substantial Gainful Activity) limits. If you do earn over the limits, Social Security may terminate your disability benefits and make you pay back the benefits you did receive (during the months you exceeded SGA). At that point, it will be very hard to be approved for disability again.
Wherever you are in the disability process, best of luck.
Norma
Social Security Disability– Getting by While You Wait
Becca asked:
If you have applied for Social Security Disability or SSI, you probably realize that you’re in for a long wait. It is unfortunate that those who need assistance the most–disabled Americans–are left without help while they endure the long disability application process. The good news is that there are several resources and tips that can help you get by while you wait.
The first resource, and the best, is friends and relatives. These are the people who know you well, understand your situation and disabled condition, and are hopefully willing to help where needed. It is best to check with them once you have applied for disability, but before you need help. Let them know how long the anticipated wait will be, and tell them that you are doing your best to survive financially. Then ask if you can count on them for support if anything should happen. They may be willing to help to a certain point, and then you will know where you stand.
If you are having difficulty paying your doctor bills, DO NOT STOP YOUR DOCTOR VISITS. Your disability claim depends heavily on those medical records. Instead, look into state health assistance, or attend free health clinics at the County Health Department building if applicable. Talk to your doctor about the possibility of a payment plan, or see if general brand medications are acceptable instead of name brands. If you have outstanding hospital bills, negotiate with the billing department. Inform them that you are applying for disability or SSI and see if they will accept a reduced amount or postpone collections for awhile. They are often willing to work with disabled patients who have no other options.
Your state should also have resources that can help. Among these are General Assistance, which will basically loan you the amoung you need to get by until you are approved, and then you will pay them back. Similar to this is Social Security’s Interim plan. Although Interim is usually considered a last resort, and few disability applicants are approved, it can be a helpful resource. Put simply, Social Security allows the state to loan you funds which they withhold when you are approved. If you are denied, however, be aware that you must pay that money back yourself. The Interim program should be considered a last resort for that reason.
If your financial situation is such that 1) you are about to become homeless, 2) you cannot afford medications that you need to sustain life, or 3) your physical condition becomes life-threating, you may qualify for a dire-need situation, which will expedite your disability decision. If any of the above apply, contact Social Security. They will require proof of your situation. If you are about to lose electricity or have a combination of related problems, contact Social Security and ask if your specific situation would help you qualify for dire need.
However you decide to get by, please DO NOT use fast loan services. These companies charge incredibly high interest rates and are rigid in collecting those fees. They almost always leave recipients in worse condition than before. Even disability recipients have been scammed into handing over their disability checks to these quick loan companies. Avoid them at all cost.
Wherever you are in the disability process, best of luck.
Veronica
If you have applied for Social Security Disability or SSI, you probably realize that you’re in for a long wait. It is unfortunate that those who need assistance the most–disabled Americans–are left without help while they endure the long disability application process. The good news is that there are several resources and tips that can help you get by while you wait.
The first resource, and the best, is friends and relatives. These are the people who know you well, understand your situation and disabled condition, and are hopefully willing to help where needed. It is best to check with them once you have applied for disability, but before you need help. Let them know how long the anticipated wait will be, and tell them that you are doing your best to survive financially. Then ask if you can count on them for support if anything should happen. They may be willing to help to a certain point, and then you will know where you stand.
If you are having difficulty paying your doctor bills, DO NOT STOP YOUR DOCTOR VISITS. Your disability claim depends heavily on those medical records. Instead, look into state health assistance, or attend free health clinics at the County Health Department building if applicable. Talk to your doctor about the possibility of a payment plan, or see if general brand medications are acceptable instead of name brands. If you have outstanding hospital bills, negotiate with the billing department. Inform them that you are applying for disability or SSI and see if they will accept a reduced amount or postpone collections for awhile. They are often willing to work with disabled patients who have no other options.
Your state should also have resources that can help. Among these are General Assistance, which will basically loan you the amoung you need to get by until you are approved, and then you will pay them back. Similar to this is Social Security’s Interim plan. Although Interim is usually considered a last resort, and few disability applicants are approved, it can be a helpful resource. Put simply, Social Security allows the state to loan you funds which they withhold when you are approved. If you are denied, however, be aware that you must pay that money back yourself. The Interim program should be considered a last resort for that reason.
If your financial situation is such that 1) you are about to become homeless, 2) you cannot afford medications that you need to sustain life, or 3) your physical condition becomes life-threating, you may qualify for a dire-need situation, which will expedite your disability decision. If any of the above apply, contact Social Security. They will require proof of your situation. If you are about to lose electricity or have a combination of related problems, contact Social Security and ask if your specific situation would help you qualify for dire need.
However you decide to get by, please DO NOT use fast loan services. These companies charge incredibly high interest rates and are rigid in collecting those fees. They almost always leave recipients in worse condition than before. Even disability recipients have been scammed into handing over their disability checks to these quick loan companies. Avoid them at all cost.
Wherever you are in the disability process, best of luck.
Veronica
