In part 1, we learned the reasons why the SSA asks for a mass quantity of specific information (medical history, prescriptions, work history, significant dates in the work history), it’s time to figure out preparation.
Before you go online, or start your phone or in person interview, make lists. The toughest part for an applicant, is remembering it on the spot. This is not a standardized test. Cheat sheets are not only welcome, they are encouraged.
LIST 1: PLACES YOU HAVE RECEIVED HEALTHCARE TREATMENT: Classify each line item by facility (because facilities are more likely to have medical records than each individual doctor), and note address, phone number, doctor’s name (if you know it), first outpatient visit, most recent outpatient visit, next appointment, any ER visits, any medical tests (what test and when), and the date ranges of any inpatient stays. If you can’t remember exact dates, make your most educated guess (if you have to leave it at the month that is fine). The medical records the SSA retrieves will fill in some of those blanks.
LIST 2: OTHER PLACES WITH MEDICAL RECORDS: In addition to healthcare facilities, often times medical records are kept at non-traditional sites. If you have been part of a personal injury claim, a worker’s compensation claim, a malpractice claim, or any other claim where your medical records are at issue, think of the name and contact information for your attorney’s office (if you had one) and write that down, as attorney offices often keep the medical records as part of the file. If you are receiving public welfare (food stamps, general assistance, medical assistance), write down the county or state department you are receiving those services from, and the contact for any social worker, if applicable. Also, if you saw a doctor in a prison, write down the name of the doctor, the contact for the facility, and the conditions being treated. If you had vocational rehabilitation, relevant medical treatment may be at the facility running the rehabilitation. If you have had health insurance, try to find that insurance card. Finally, think of anywhere else that’s not a medical facility that might have medical records, write down the contact info, and what you went to the facility for. It is not uncommon that thinking of these will cause people to expand on List 1.
LIST 2: YOUR MEDICATIONS: Take a look at everything you are taking. Note what you are taking, who prescribed it (or if it is over the counter), and what it is for.
LIST 3: YOUR WORK HISTORY: Make a list of all the job titles you have had over the past 15 years. Note the types of companies each job title was for. Then try to estimate the start date of each job (month and year) and the end date (month and year). Note the hours per day you averaged, and how many days per week, also your rate of pay.
If you are not working when you file the application, you will need to know the exact date you stopped working (you can estimate it). If you stopped working for reasons other than your condition, you need to estimate the exact date your conditions became so bad so as to keep you from working. Whether or not you stopped working by the time you fill out the Adult Disability Report, if you had to make changes in your work to accommodate your conditions (changing hours, duties, asking for help, taking more breaks), then you need to estimate an exact date that began.
Finally, think of someone in your life who knows you. This could be a spouse, another close family member, friend or neighbor, so long as they understand what you are going through. Note that person’s name, address and phone number (and let them know you are listing them). SSA will want the name of another contact person who they can ask about your condition.
Preparation can help make the Adult Disability Report easier and a smoother process. Making cheat sheets can help an applicant recall everything he/she needs right on the spot. Take some time before you fill it out to get ready. It will make for a more complete Adult Disability Report, and a happier you when completing it.
