WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES IN DISABILITY CLAIMS

It's no secret that Social Security denies around 70 percent of new disability applications. You may feel like it's a roll of the dice! And bad odds, too!

Here are 10 things you can do to improve your chances with Social Security disability:

1. File a complete application. Don't leave blank lines. Lack of information is a killer.

2. List every doctor, clinic, hospital, counselor or therapist, giving full contact information.

3. List approximate dates of treatment: first time and most recent time you saw each medical provider. Example: March 2018 through November 2022.

4. When completing the Function Report, address your bad days, not your good days; list the problems you have in doing each activity, or if you need help with certain activities.

5. Keep Social Security informed of new treatment, new doctors or changes to your condition. (If you don't tell them, they will miss it; they only get records you tell them about).

6. If you get a denial letter, appeal right away--but certainly within the 60-day deadline.

7. Get representation (lawyer/advocate) to help with your appeal. Studies show that claimants using a lawyer/advocate win 60 percent of their cases but only 30 percent win without a lawyer or advocate.

8. Keep appealing until you reach the hearing level and sit down before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Most benefits are awarded at the hearing level these days.

9. As you wait on your hearing, keep your representative fully informed of your medical treatment, doctors you see, hospitalizations, ER visits, etc. It is your representative that will keep your records up to date at Social Security. An absolute must!

10. Meet with your lawyer or representative a few days prior to your hearing and be sure you are properly prepared for testimony at the hearing. This is one of the MOST IMPORTANT things you can do because your lawyer will know how to best present your case to the judge.

________________________________

The Forsythe Firm has represented hundreds of claimants at Social Security hearings and recovered millions of dollars in past due benefits. Our representation is free unless 2 things happen: (1) You WIN your case. (2) You recover past due benefits or "back pay." Call for a free consultation. (256) 799-0297.