Mistakes To Avoid When Applying for Disability Benefits
Every year the Social Security Administration (SSA) processes over 2 million applications for Social Security Disability benefits. Unfortunately, the SSA denies up to two-thirds of the applications. One common reason for this is due to mistakes when filling out paperwork. Also, even when someone is approved it may take months before they start receiving payments. Therefore, there are common mistakes to avoid when applying for disability benefits. Doing so will help prevent complications and make the process as smooth as possible. Common mistakes to avoid when applying for disability benefits:
- Failing to attend your Social Security Disability (SSD) consultative examination (CE).
- Not applying for all benefits that you may be entitled.
- Reapplying when denied, instead of filing an appeal.
- Not following your doctor’s orders for rehab or prescriptions.
- Not reviewing or reworking your paperwork before filing your appeal.
- Never checking on the status of your claim.
- Waiting too long to file.
- Not switching doctors when yours is not being supportive.
- Failing to mention mental health conditions on the applications.
- Missing important appeal deadlines.
- Not prepping for your hearing.
- Not turning in all of your medical evidence to SSA.
Don’t Do It Alone!
Not retaining an attorney/representative is one of the biggest mistakes to avoid when applying for disability benefits. Many people automatically assume they can’t afford to hire a lawyer/representative, this simply isn’t true. We don’t get paid until you do!
The filing process is quite complicated; Disability Support Services advises that you don’t do it alone. Our professional team has the experience and knowledge of working thousands of SSA disability cases. Let us put our expertise to work for you. We are here to help you through every step of the process.
