INCREASING YOUR ODDS OF GETTING DISABILITY BENEFITS

Approval rates for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are low.

Here are some proven ways to increase your chances:

• Research the basic requirements to qualify for a disability benefit.

• Be sure you have sufficient work credits to allow approval.

• Fill out your application with meticulous care (completeness and accuracy)

• Have solid, recent documentation of treatment from your doctor(s).

• Complete all the forms Social Security will send you after you apply, such as

  • Function Report

  • Work History Report (Don't skip details) - Answer every question.

  • Other questionnaires you may get

• Try to get a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) from your treating physician.

• If you get in over your head and struggle, call an experienced disability lawyer.

If you list all of your treating doctors, clinics and other providers on the application, Social Security will try to obtain all your medical records for you. They only contact the medical providers you list on the application form. Be sure to include full addresses and phone numbers for each provider. It is also important to estimate the following dates for each doctor, hospital or provider:

1. The date you first saw this provider (Estimate if necessary)

2. The most recent date you say this provider

3. Date of your next scheduled appointment with the provider (if any)

One of the things Social Security must determine is whether you can physically and mentally perform any of your Past Relevant Work (PRW). PRW is the jobs you have performed in the 5 year period before you became disabled. To get a fair decision, you must describe all your PRW in great detail. This is done on the "Work History Report," that Social Security will mail to you after you file your claim. Most claimants either don't return this form, or fill it out incompletely or leave off important details about their past jobs. This can easily result in a wrongful denial of your application. A properly completed Work History Report is vital to the success of your claim. (Caution: this form can be confusing).

Getting approved for Social Security disability benefits is not impossible. However, it is difficult and can be confusing. It is a very technical process where you must meet the regulations of the Social Security Administration. You also must PROVE your disability according to the rules of the Social Security Administration, which is a legal undertaking.

Another important fact to keep n mind is this: the appeal process is where most claims actually get paid. The most important step of that process is a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). It is in the hearing level that most claims will be approved, if ever.

A written appeal must be filed within 60 days of any unfavorable decision. If you wait longer, no appeal can be made and this error can cost you months of wasted time and thousands of dollars in lost benefits.

What you DON'T KNOW about Social Security disability can cost you tens of thousands of dollars in lost benefits and years of failure.

Charles W. Forsythe (The Forsythe Firm) has assisted thousands of claimants over the past 25 years. You can get a quick, free consultation with no obligation and no pressure. A phone call is all you need to start. You will never pay The Forsythe Firm a fee until after you are approved and after you collect past due benefits from Social Security. If you don't get paid, you will not owe a fee--ever.

It doesn't matter where you live.

Call NOW and we can help you NOW. (256) 799-0297.