Determine the right date that your disability started.
A surprisingly high number of Social Security disability claimants give the wrong date that their disability began on their application. Oftentimes this is simply a misunderstanding of what Social Security is asking when they pose “When did you become unable to work?” For example, a person may have been injured years ago, returned to work for several years, then list the injury date on their application. There was absolutely no way that a person could be approved for disability back to their injury because of Social Security’s rules regarding earned income. It’s important to get this date right.

Do what Social Security asks you to do!
Your case examiner with Social Security’s Disability Determination Service is working to compile the evidence needed to make a decision on your claim. If Social Security sends you forms to sign and/or questionnaires to complete and return, do so in a timely manner. If Social Security sets an appointment for you to have a Consultative Examination with a Healthcare provider, go to the appointment.

Don’t give up!
Social Security denies most SSDI and SSI applicants. If you receive a denial, and you truly cannot return to work, request Reconsideration of the Initial Application Determination. If Social Security denies your Reconsideration request, Request a Hearing with an Administrative Law Judge. It’s at the Hearing stage where we win most of our cases here at Magnolia Disability Law Firm.

Make a list of your functional limitations to take with you to all of your doctor appointments.
Do not just write down your diagnosis. It is important to make a list of the ways the symptoms that you endure cause you to limit or change the way you complete ordinary, everyday tasks. Many clients do not properly communicate their limitations to their doctors and healthcare providers. By making a list of your functional limitations and communicating those limitations to your doctors, you give your doctors more information so they can better treat your conditions and also build the evidence in the medical records to support your claim.

Keep a log or diary of your symptoms.
After making a list of your functional limitations, keep a log of your symptoms and how they affect you. For example, if you suffer from seizures, keep a seizure log that details the date and time of the seizure, whether there was loss of consciousness, how long the seizure lasted, recovery time, etc.

Ask your treating physicians and healthcare providers to write a letter or complete a questionnaire to support your claim for Social Security Disability.
At Magnolia Disability Law Firm, we develop questionnaires that are customized to our specific Client’s condition. These questionnaires are designed to answer specific questions about your medical conditions that Social Security is looking for when making their disability decisions.

Ensure Social Security has all of your evidence.
Most denial letters indicate that Social Security did not obtain all of the relevant medical evidence before making their determination. Obtain medical and education records yourself and give them to Social Security to help speed the process.

Hire an experienced Representative that focuses on Social Security Disability law.
Hiring an experienced disability attorney or accredited representative is the single most important thing you can do to increase your chances of being approved. A study by the Government Accountability Office found that claimants who had representatives were allowed benefits at a rate nearly 3 times higher than those without representatives.

At Magnolia Disability Law, we are passionate about helping adults with their Social Security Disability benefits. We have represented hundreds of people throughout the country. Whether you are applying for the first time or were denied and need to file an appeal, put our experience to good use.

Disclaimer: This blog article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please call our office for a free consultation with a qualified Disability Attorney or Representative for personalized guidance on your specific situation.