It’s a well-known fact that a large majority of applicants are denied in
their initial application for social security disability benefits.
This may seem unfair and in many circumstances it is, but there are many
things that are in your control which can improve your chances of
getting approved. It’s critical that you understand the requirements
which are being evaluated and you take the time to prepare your
application before turning it in. Rushing your application in hopes of a
quick approval is clearly not the best way to get your benefits. By
quickly filling out your application you are actually hurting your
chances of a quick turnaround time.
You don’t want to delay when applying, but you do need to take the time
to prepare a well thought application. It usually takes the social
security administration up to 6 months to finalize a decision so you do
want to file the application close to the date when you have become
disabled. Some cases will approved in as little as 2 months, but the
time-frame for a decision can be anywhere from 2-7 months. The
Disability Determination Services will be the first to review your
application to see if your disability is valid and they will also check
other factors such as your age, your employment status, if you have
collected social security disability benefits in the past, and your
marital situation. If your application passes this initial screening it
will be passed off to the state level where they will take a closer
inspection of your medical records.
The state will take a fine-tooth comb when looking over your medical
records to make sure that you are indeed eligible to receive the
benefits. This is where most applicants are denied and it is the most
crucial hurdle to jump. This is where your planning and preparation can
really help you get approved and decrease the approval time. Having an
experienced The Clark Law Office - Top rated social security attorneys in Lansing, MI help collect and organize your medical records can
pay huge dividends. Even with meticulous preparation, it is possible
that you will get wrongfully denied. It’s important to stay the course,
because most of the time an appeal of the denial will result in a much
better success rate. It’s a good thing that the process is well
enforced because paying out disability benefits for every applicant
would dry up the well quickly so to speak. This keeps applicants who
really don’t deserve disability benefits taking the funds away from
legitimate claims.
If in fact you are denied initially, you will most likely need to take
your case to an appeals judge to argue your case. You need to show that
you are in need of SSD or SSDI and your medical records show this
clearly. This administrative law judge will determine your fate, and it
is highly recommended to hire an attorney who has gone through this
process often and knows what it takes to win your social security
disability benefits. Hopefully this gives you a better idea of what
it takes to successfully receive your benefits, just remember to take
the time to properly fill out your application given the requirements
and the complicated approval process.
How Can I Improve My Chances of Getting My Social Security Benefits?
by David M Clark on Jun. 12, 2012
Summary
It’s a well-known fact that a large majority of applicants are denied in their initial application for social security disability benefits. This may seem unfair and in many circumstances it is, but there are many things that are in your control which can improve your chances of getting approved.