The Social Security disability process can be a minefield that is just waiting to blow-up an applicant for any number of reasons making them ineligible to receive disability payments. The more you know about the process the better chance you have at avoiding some of the more common mistakes that can impact your eligibility. Below we examine some of the more common mistakes applicants make and sometimes they are shocked and crestfallen to learn that a disability claim is over before it began.
- Not Applying Soon Enough
The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program is a program where you have to pay into Social Security to be eligible for. If you have not worked long enough, or more recent enough, you may not be eligible, so it is important that you not wait to file for disability benefits if you become unable to work. Generally, most people are eligible for the SSDI program up until about five years after they stop working.
- Appeal
Most people are unaware that the Social Security Administration denies about 75 percent of all initial applications for disability. A whole lot of these people never question this decision and never file an appeal. There are two problems with this approach. One, unless you realize that most applicants have to appeal an unfavorable decision and go before a judge before they win their benefits, you probably think it’s useless to continue the process. It is not. Secondly, when Social Security makes a medical determination that you are not disabled, that decision is final all the way through the date on the letter issued to you. Unless you appeal the decision you cannot go back a claim you were disabled prior to this time no matter what medical evidence is available.
- Your Doctor Does Not Make Disability Decisions
Although your doctor’s participation and support for a Social Security disability claim is extremely important, your doctor does not have the final say of whether you are disabled. Many times applications believe that a simple note from their doctor indicating they are “disabled” is good enough to qualify for benefits, but it is not. You have to show why you are disabled and be specific about what your limitations are, whether they are related to physical disabilities or mental health disabilities.
- Don’t Get Caught Up With One Disabling Condition
Many times those who are applying for Social Security disability neglect to put certain conditions they suffer from on their application and don’t treat for those conditions. If you truly believe you are unable to work you should list all conditions that could be considered disabling, mental health and physical conditions included. Whether you believe a certain condition is preventing you from working is irrelevant, especially if treating physicians believe it may impact your ability to work.
- Be Aware Of Other Disability Programs
There are a variety of other public disability programs that you may be eligible for besides Social Security disability and you should seek out all programs you qualify for. Some examples include veteran’s disability payments and worker’s compensation payments for people who are injured at work. In addition to these programs, some employers offer their employees private disability insurance coverage, which you should immediately seek out if you are unable to work.
These are just a few of the pitfalls people who are not familiar with the Social Security disability process can fall into. As is the case with any major decision you make, be sure to research the topic thoroughly before applying.
