Social Security Disability
The working men and women of our country are the foundation of its success. Sometimes, your ability to work is greatly affected by a mental or physical disability. Working has always given you a sense of pride and accomplishment and now you are unable to work. You have been paying a portion of your wages into "the system".
How do you apply for disability?
How does the process work?
Application
First, you have to file a claim for benefits. A Disability application can be made in person at your local SSA office, online, or by calling SSA's toll free number 1-800-772-1213. SSI applications have to be made in writing by completing SSA's paper application.
Where and How to Apply?
Social Security's toll free number 1-800-772-1213 allows you to:
- Apply for benefits on the phone; or
- Make an appointment with your local Social Security Office to apply in person.
You can also apply for benefits online. A great advantage of using the online service is that you can apply at your own pace. You will be able to print certain preliminary application information that will tell you what type of information you need to gather to complete your application. You can save the application and return to it when you have the medical information that you need. It will also direct you as to what information you may need to send into Social Security. Once you have filed the application, Social Security will contact you to verify information, to request additional information or to set up appointments with Social Security doctors if they do not have enough information.
Information Needed to Apply for SSDI
- General Information;
- Social Security Number;
- Birth or Baptismal Certificate;
- Medical Information;
- Names, addresses and phone number of the doctors, caseworkers, hospitals and clinics that took care of you and dates of your visits;
- Names and dosage information for all the medicine you take;
- Medical records from your doctors, therapists, hospitals, clinics and caseworkers that you already have in your possession;
- Laboratory and test results;
- Employment information;
- A summary of where you worked and the kind of work that you did; and
- A copy of your most recent W-2 form or if self employed your income tax return for the past year.
Determination
Next, the file is sent to a state agency, called DDS, for determination. It is NOT the workers at your local SSA office that decide whether or not you are disabled. SSA denies about 70% of all initial applications. It can take up to three to five months to get an initial decision once your application is complete, so you should apply for benefits the day you feel you are disabled.
If DDS denies your claim, you have 60 days to request what is called "Reconsideration".
Reconsideration
Reconsideration is just what it sounds like. It is asking the same people (DDS) who denied your claim to reconsider their decision. It should not come as a surprise to know that DDS denies 90% of all reconsiderations.
Hearing
If you are denied at the reconsideration level, the claimant has 60 days to request a hearing before a judge. We spend a great deal of time preparing a file for presentation to the judge and you are certainly involved in that process. We have a great success rate at the hearing level because of the ability to work with you on your case.
Links
If you have been turned down for your Social Security Disability benefits call me for an appointment at (800) 597-1586.
28 South Washington Avenue
Brownsville, Tennessee 38012
Toll Free: 800-597-1586 | Telephone: (731) 772-3466
Facsimilie: (731) 772-4734