6 THINGS CAN KILL A DISABILITY CLAIM

Many people believe that when it comes time to get on disability, all you do is complete a few forms and Social Security starts sending a check.

In reality, the process is much harder and more complicated. In the first place, there are many, many forms. They are long and complicated and require a lot of time and careful effort to complete them correctly. Just one mistake can either delay benefits by months or cause your claim to be denied. In fact, only 27 percent of claims are approved at the application level, so it pays to be careful and thorough as you complete these application forms.

I have identified 6 common mistakes on Social Security forms that can wreck your case.

1. Failing to Fill Out the Forms—The Social Security Administration (SSA) is going to send you a whole mess of forms to fill out. It’s up to you to make sure that every part of those forms is filled out correctly. Don’t forget, if a question doesn’t apply to you, put “not applicable” or “N/A” in the provided space. Leave nothing blank.

2. Writing Illegibly—If your case reviewer can’t read your answers, then they can’t really say that you answered that question. Be sure the answers to questions are neat and preferably typed out, especially if your answer is long or detailed.

3. Incorrect Information—I the form asks you for your doctor and you put the wrong name down, then your case reviewer isn’t going to be able to confirm the medical diagnosis that proves you have a disability. Make sure you spell everything correctly and have the proper information for every question. Give names and complete mailing addresses for all your medical providers. If not, their records won’t be obtained.

4. Missing the Deadline—Most forms sent to you by the SSA must be replied to within 10 days. That can sometimes mean that you don’t have a lot of time to delay or figure it out. If you need more time, you have to contact your “disability specialist” at the Disability Determination Service (DDS) right way to ask for an extension.

5. Contradiction—If you say something in the first part of your application and then contradict yourself in a later section, the SSA may deny your disability application. Make sure you have your facts straight before you make conflicting statements. Review everything before you send it in. You may want to have a family member or trusted friend proofread your forms and make corrections or suggest changes.

6. Rejecting Help—If you thought there were a lot of things on this list, then you would be blown away to find out that even more stuff can go wrong on your disability application. Seeking professional help from a disability attorney could be a big help in your quest to get the benefits that you need. Don’t be afraid to get some help. An attorney/advocate will not charge you a fee to help file your original application, file an appeal, or even attend a hearing. You only pay a fee if you case is successful, you are awarded benefits, and you receive back pay (retroactive benefits).

If you need help, call the Forsythe Firm at (256) 799-0297. We’ll get your application moving!