MISTAKES THAT GET DISABILITY DENIED

It's difficult to get a disability case approved--but it's easy to get denied.

Here are some of the major mistakes that can deny your disability claim or appeal:

1. TRYING TO HANDLE THE CASE OR APPEAL ON YOUR OWN. Social Security disability is based on a complicated set of laws and regulations. Trying to handle a case by yourself is nearly impossible. It will usually end in another denial. After a couple of denials, the case gets nearly impossible to win (even by your attorney). Get some help early.

2. FAILURE TO ASK FOR BACK PAY. Proving an early onset of your disability (even before the date of your application) can result in recovering tens of thousands of dollars in retroactive benefits (back pay).

3. MISSING DEADLINES. Social Security's deadlines are strict and unforgiving. File something late and it may cost you the entire case--even if you were only one day late. Almost meeting a deadline is the same as missing the deadline.

4. MAKING CONTRADICTORY STATEMENTS ON YOUR CLAIM OR APPEAL FORMS. They ask the same question many different ways on many different forms. Your answers must be consistent and present a clear reason to approve your claim. An untrained eye will usually miss contradictions somewhere along the way on the dozens of pages of forms. "What you say can and will be used against you.

It makes sense to get help from someone who has handled hundreds or thousands of disability claims and appeals--someone who knows the rules and regulations, the exceptions and the requirements for getting disability benefits.