What makes trying to get Social Security disability benefits so intimidating? Lots of things. First, it's run by the US government. They don't make anything easy. Some other reasons.
1. There is about a 75 percent chance of rejection, initially. We all hate rejection.
2. The forms, questions, and paper chase process amounts to dozens of pages and literally hundreds of questions, including: "Do you help take care of any pets or animals?" Or, "Do you visit family or friends, in person, on the phone or on the internet?" Hundreds more.
3. Most claimants must make not one, but two appeals to get approved. The first appeal, called "Reconsideration," has a 95 percent denial rate.
4. The second appeal is a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). While many ALJ's are professional and courteous, some treat you like you are a criminal.
5. It takes way too long to go through the process. For most folks, it will take a year. For some, it will take two years or more.
6. Claimants will be examined, investigated, questioned, poked, prodded and sometimes intimidated like never before in their lives.
How Can You Make the Process Easier?
Put a go-between or mediator between you and the government. Specifically, you want an "advocate" who who is dedicated to helping you and convincing the government that you qualify for benefits. An advocate makes the process better in several ways.....
1. You avoid most direct contact with the government.
2. You do much less paperwork and receive fewer phone calls.
3. The advocate knows the rules of the Social Security program, what to submit, when to submit it, how to word it....etc.
4. An advocate greatly improves your chance of being approved.
5. If you go before a judge, your advocate "speaks the judge's language." He or she can quickly explain what the judge needs to know to approve your case.
6. Your advocate can easily answer all your questions. You don't need to wait on hold for 15 to 45 minutes with Social Security.
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Huntsville, AL 35806
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