It can be very challenging for many to get approved for Social Security disability. Whether you are filing for Social Security disability (SSD) or supplemental security income (SSI), there are many strategic moves you can make to help yourself get approved.
Before you file, it is important to know the criteria you must meet to be approved for disability. The most important criteria is to have a debilitating, severe impairment. Next, this impairment must limit your ability to do normal, daily activities, and must be so debilitating that you are unable to work not only in your current job, but also in any other jobs that you have held in the last fifteen years (known as the "relevant period"). Lastly, you must be able to prove that your disability will limit your ability to work for at least a year. A disability examiner will be able to determine whether or not your condition will be long-term.
When filing for disability, it is important to disclose all medical records and provide as much information as you have available; have your dates of treatment, places of treatment and doctor's names and numbers readily available. You will also need to have a detailed list of your employment for the last fifteen years, including names and contact information of all employers and a detailed list of the jobs and functions you performed.
Once you have gathered all medical and employment records and have filled out your necessary paperwork, it is time to file.
1) Filing for SSD or SSI
If you have filed for SSD or SSI, chances are you will be denied. Almost all individuals who apply are denied initially; nearly two-thirds are turned down. Although these numbers can be disheartening, knowing how to use the disability appeal process can be extremely helpful for those who fall into the "two-thirds" category. The first and foremost thing to know is: do not file a new claim if you have been denied. Instead, appeal.
2) Request for Reconsideration
When you have been denied disability the first step you need to take is filing a request for reconsideration. While approximately 80 percent of requests for reconsideration are also denied, this is a necessary step in the process and fairs much better than reapplying altogether. This one step will move things along at a better rate.
3) Request a Hearing
If your request for reconsideration has been denied, it is time to file a request for a hearing before an administrative judge. This hearing can possibly take months or years to be scheduled, but a hearing presents the greatest opportunity for being awarded your disability benefits. Nearly two-thirds of those present for their hearing, according to the House Subcommittee on Social Security, are approved to receive their benefits.
