Social Security Disability Application Process

Applying for Social Security Disability can feel like a daunting task.  If you are disabled, not only is it difficult to balance the demands of everyday life but you also have to keep up with Doctors appointments, medical treatments and therapy sessions. For individuals with serious health conditions juggling these things in addition to applying for disability can feel like mission impossible.

For this reason, many people just put off ever applying for Disability. However, there are some individuals that start the Disability application process on their own but once Social Security requests additional documents they simply stop responding. Even more common, is that many applicants never even get past the first few questions on the disability application because it is just too much of a headache.

The Social Security Administration has created a checklist that they believe will assist applicants in applying for Disability. Click on this link: https://www.ssa.gov/hlp/radr/10/ovw001-checklist.pdf  What you find is a document that asks for very specific information, very specific timelines, and is very much overwhelming.

So how do you deal with the stress of the Disability Application process?

Organization is key: Keep checklists of application deadlines. Make sure you keep track of appointments and attend your consultative exams. Also, make copies of all of your paperwork before submitting it to the Social Security Administration as you will find it may take several submissions for your paperwork to get processed.

Don’t give up: Nearly two thirds of Disability applicants will get denied. You must submit a Request for Reconsideration and Request for Hearing so that you will eventually get a hearing to present your case to a Judge.

Seek Professional help: Simply put, without the help of a professional that has experience the whole process is stressful. You should not embark on this task alone, you have enough to deal with.

Why O’Connor Law

We do the leg work. We have represented countless individuals with their initial application and through the hearing process. We know the system and the medical documentation that is needed to get a favorable outcome. We will stand by your side at the hearing and ensure that you do not miss any filing deadlines.