Many of our clients are curious as to what they can do to positively impact on their Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income claims. While our office can never guarantee you will be awarded benefits, there are several things that a claimant could do to help improve their chances.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) bases the majority of a disability decision on medical evidence. It is very important that if you treat for your conditions, if you are able to do so. Unfortunately, many people lose their medical insurance once they become unable to work. If you do not have any insurance and cannot afford to pay the out of pocket expenses for medical treatment it can be helpful to look for any state or county medical assistance programs you may be eligible for. Another option would be to look for free and sliding fee scale clinics in your area.
It is important that you let your case manager know where you are treating. If your claim is pending at the Initial Application or Reconsideration level your case manager will need to inform the SSA, so that the medical reports from each facility may be requested. If your claim is pending for a hearing please advise your case manager about where you are treating so that our office can request those records for your hearing.
If you are regularly treating with medical providers let your doctors know that you have filed a claim for Social Security Disability. If there is a doctor who would support your claim advise your case manager right away. Our office can mail that doctor an assessment regarding any physical or mental restrictions and limitations you may have. These assessments can be very helpful.
It is also important to respond to any correspondence sent by the SSA as quickly as possible. Many documents that the SSA sends have strict deadlines. Not responding to the SSA may result in a denial on your claim.
If your phone number or address changes please advise your case manager as soon as possible. Due to the deadlines and time sensitive responses required by the SSA it is important that our office be able to get in touch with you.
