How Can You Help Your Social Security Disability Application Succeed?
If you’ve been injured and are unable to work, and you’ve already paid into the Social Security system, there’s a very good chance you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. Unfortunately, the Social Security Disability conditions and requirements are steep, and there is a lot that can go wrong in the application process.
The best thing you can do is to have a great Temple, TX, disability attorney on your side from the beginning of the process. This will greatly improve your chances of success. However, beyond hiring a lawyer, there are other things you can do which also help.
Four Tips for Success When Applying for Social Security Disability
- Be certain the application is 100% complete and accurate
It might seem obvious to say your paperwork needs to be filled out properly, but a large number of Social Security disability benefit claims are denied for simple paperwork errors, even minor mistakes. So it’s vitally important that your paperwork be completely and accurately filled out. Some of the questions are personal, but strict honesty is necessary for your claim to be considered.
- Keep all of your medical documentation
The single most important aspect when applying for Social Security disability benefits is to prove, through evidence, that you are genuinely disabled and unable to work. Any and every piece of documentation you get from your doctors, hospitals, and other medical professionals needs to be saved – even if it doesn’t seem relevant.
We also recommend keeping a journal that logs every interaction you have with medical professionals about your case, including the date and time, for later verification.
- Stay on good terms with your physician(s)
Depending on the situation, you may want to call in your doctor(s) to personally testify to your state of disability. They may also be asked to submit extra paperwork, such as written statements about your case. However, they are not typically required to do this. Having a good relationship with your doctor(s) makes it more likely they’ll put in extra work on your behalf.
Likewise, be sure to follow up on all treatment recommendations. Following your doctors’ orders will help strengthen your claim.
- Follow your claim status closely
One mistake many Social Security disability applicants make is to send off their paperwork, and then assume everything will go well afterward. This isn’t usually the case! You should keep a close eye on the status of your case, tracking it through the Social Security office website. This also ensures that if the status changes or you’re asked to provide more documentation, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to do so.
Merryl Jones, Second Chance Lawyer, specializes in helping people navigate the bureaucracy of the Social Security office in Temple, TX. Contact us today for a free consultation on your Social Security Disability claim!
