BIGGEST MISTAKES BY PEOPLE TRYING TO GET SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY

Getting approved for SSDI benefits is never easy.  Avoiding these mistakes can make it a lot easier, faster and better paying:

1.  Get adequate and current medical treatment.  The formal medical evidence is the most important part of your claim.  See your doctor and follow medical advice.  Get the tests your doctor advises.

2.  Stop working before you apply.  If you are working, Social Security will give you a Step 1 (right off the bat) technical denial.

3.  See if you have enough "work credits" to be covered.  Most people can apply up to 5 years after they stop working and paying into Social Security.  If your work history is skippy, you may not have as long.

4.  Don't work after you the date you claim your disability began.  This will cause you to be denied and there is no effective appeal for this.

5.  Be sure your disability is expected to last longer than 12 months.  Short term disability is not covered.

6.  Realize that the Social Security doctor will not approve you.  In most cases, the doctor that Social Security sends you to will cause a denial, not approval.

6.  Don't fail to get your own doctor's support.  Doctors have "pecking order" with Social Security.  They pay more attention to your own physician than any other doctor.  \

7.  Don't fail to get treatment by a medical specialist if you need to.  For example, a cardiologist will treat heart problems; an orthopedic specialists will help you with spine, bone or joint disorders.

8.  You must file a timely appeal.  Social Security denies about 70 percent of applications.  When denied, you only have 60 days to file an appeal.  This is a serious and strict deadline. The first appeal will usually be denied, too.  So, you file a second appeal and ask for a hearing before an administrative law judge. Keep going up the chain of command.

9.  Failing to consult a Social Security specialist.  Many mistakes may be avoided if you simply take time to speak to a specialist who understands the rules and regulations of Social Security.  Someone who has handled hundreds of disability claims and appeals can help walk you through the process.  Best of all, you won't be charged a fee unless you win and collect some past due pay!  YOU DON'T PAY  IF YOU DON'T WIN.

10 REASONS DISABILITY CLAIMS GET DENIED

Social Security denies up to 80 percent of disability applications.  Here are the top 10 reasons why claims are denied:

1.  Lack of Medical Evidence.  The law requires objective medical evidence of a severe impairment that makes it impossible to work a full-time job.  Without this hard evidence the claim cannot be approved, even if the judge believes you are disabled.

2.  Incomplete Claim Forms.  Every application that I've reviewed that was submitted by the claimant is incomplete in some way.  Most claimants skip questions or fail to complete every form they are sent.  Most common problems are with the Work History Report.  I don't think I have ever seen a complete Work History Report completed by the applicant.  The Function Report often suffers.  This is not the time to cut corners.

3.  Disability Won't Last 12 Straight Months.  Social Security does not cover a period of disability that lasts less than 12 consecutive months. 

4.  Claimant is still working.  If you are still working at substantial gainful employment when (or after) you file your disability claim, it gets a Step 1 technical denial.  You cannot work and get disability benefits at the same time, no matter how sick you are.

5.  Been Denied Before.  Many applicants get denied, then choose to file a new application.  The second application is nearly always denied, too.  It's usually much better to appeal the denial than file a new application.  An appeal takes you up the chain of command--to someone who can give you a new and better decision.  New applications often accomplish nothing (spinning your wheels)!

6.  Under Age 50.  Some claimants under the age of 50 do get approved, but only if they have very severe and obvious impairments.  Individuals age 50 and over have an easier time.

7.  Failure to Cooperate.  Getting disability benefits is a long process.  You will need to cooperate by completing all forms (and some of them are long), attending any scheduled exams, returning phone calls, answering questions, appearing at hearings on time, etc.

8.  You Can Do Easier Jobs.  Even if you can't do the work you have been accustomed to, you may be able to work at an easier job.  For example, you are not able to continue as a construction worker, but you could work at a sedentary (sit down) job or a light job (with no heavy lifting).  Social Security will find you not disabled because there is some work you could still perform.  This is particularly a problem for claimants under the age of 50.

9.  Stopped Working for Something Other Than Disability.  Social Security only covers one thing:  the inability to work due to a physical and/or mental impairment.  If you stopped working to care for a sick family member, because you had a fight with your boss, weren't making enough money, or went back to school--Social Security sees that as quitting work for "non-disability" reasons, which are not covered by the Social Security Act.

10.  Failure to Get Legal Help.  Disability attorneys and advocates understand the process, the requirements and stipulations.  They know what evidence is required to prove your case.  But can you afford legal help?  Yes, because you pay nothing up front and work off a contingency fee agreement.  You agree to pay a fee only if your case is successful and results in past due benefits.  If your case fails, or if there are no past due benefits, you cannot be charged a fee, according to Social Security regulations. If you don't win, you don't pay.

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Social Security Counselors

7027 Old Madison Pike, Suite 108

Huntsville, AL 35806

"Across From Bridge Street"

CALL (256) 799-0297

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We work for you.  Not affiliated with the Social Security Administration or the US Government.

ALABAMA DISABIITY PROGRAM ISN'T IMPOSSIBLE: JUST INTIMIDATING

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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THE FORSYTHE FIRM

7027 Old Madison Pike, Suite 108

Huntsville, AL 35806

"Across From Bridge Street"

Phone:  (256) 799-0297

                                              Free Consultations _ No Fee Until You Win!

"RECONSIDERATION" RAVAGES DISABILITY CLAIMANTS

Prior to March 2020, 10 states allowed denied Social Security disability claims to go directly to an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) for a hearing.  The other 40 states required a process called "Reconsideration" first, where the denied claim goes back to the same office that denied it for a second "review" or "reconsideration."  Starting October 1, 2019, Alabama became one of states that requires "Reconsideration" before an appeal to a judge.  By March 2020, all 50 states and Puerto Rico require the "Reconsideration process."

The US Government performed an audit of the "Reconsideration" process to see how it effects Social Security claimants.  Here is that audit:

In 2015, 616,917 claims were denied. at Reconsideration.  Of that number, 86,400 (14 percent) gave up and did not take any further action, receiving no benefit.  530,500 (86 percent) appealed and went to a hearing before a judge.  Of these 530,500 claimants who went to a judge 290,000 (55 percent) were awarded benefits.

Note that the government saved money on the 86,400 claimants who gave up after "Reconsideration" and filed no further appeal.

How much does "Reconsideration" delay getting benefits?  In 2018, it took 79 days longer for a claimant to receive an award (approval) in states that used "Reconsideration."  In total, it took an average of 924 days to get an award in states using "Reconsideration.

So, this process makes the claimant wait an additional 79 days.  "Reconsideration" issues the wrong decision 55 percent of the time.

Why has the government required all 50 states to use this process?

The audit answers the question:  It saves the government money.  It will save $3.9 billion over a 10-year period (2019 - 2028),

A majority of that savings will result from the 14 percent of claimants who drop out or die after being denied at "Reconsideration" and file no further appeal.  So, it's all about saving money.

Based on this audit, the government fully knows that "Reconsideration" takes longer and results in incorrect decisions 55 percent of the time; yet, it has actively required the 10 states that did not use the stinking process to adopt it.  It saves money.

If you or I had a business operation that we knew made serious mistakes 55 percent of the time, on operations essential to our mission, and added 79 days to getting our job done, what would we do?  We would either change quickly or go out of business.  However, Social Security saves billions of dollars by with their ineptitude, according to the government audit.

It's difficult not to believe that the Social Security Administration is saving $3.9 billion because they know 14 percent of individuals making claims against them will die or quit after they are denied at "Reconsideration," although there is a 55 percent chance they could get benefits if they stuck to it and went to a judge. 

It is difficult for me not to see "Reconsideration" as a delaying process that eliminates a large portion (14%) of the claimant pool before getting to the place where an award can be made.

Instead of requiring the 10 states that did not use "Reconsideration" to start using it, Social Security should have required the 40 states that did use it to stop.  Again, if I owned 50 businesses and 10 of them were 55 percent less efficient than the other 10, what would I do?  I would try to make the 40 conform to the 10, not the other way around.

  "Reconsideration" should be eliminated.

I practiced in Alabama for years when we did not have "Reconsideration."  I can tell you that in every way, it has resulted in nothing but an unnecessary burden on disabled claimants, who are already burdened enough.  They wait 79 days longer for a decision than they should, and in 55 cases out of 100, the decisions they finally get are incorrect--denying benefits when they should have paid them.

WHY SOCIAL SECURITY MAY NOT SAVE YOU

WHY SOCIAL SECURITY MAY NOT SAVE YOU

 1 out of 4 Americans will become disabled before retirement age.  Most of us assume that if it happens, Social Security disability will save us.

That may not be true.

Social Security may not save your home.  You may lose your car.  You could become homeless unless you have family or friends to count on.  Here's why.

1.  Social Security does not pay the first 5 full months of disability (SSDI).  5 months is the mandatory exclusion or "waiting period."  You're on your own.

2.  It can take months or years to get a Social Security disability claim approved.  Very few are approved without an appeal.  In fact, very few are approved without at least 2 appeals.  I've seen claims drag on for 2 or 3 years with no payment.  If you've ever dealt with the government, you understand.

3.  You may never get approved for a Social Security disability check.  Just because you are not able to work does not necessarily mean that Social Security will pay you.

4.  If your disability claim goes well (I mean perfectly), you won't get paid for 6 months.  There's the 5-month waiting period that isn't covered.  Plus, Social Security plays one month in the arrears.  So add another month to get the first check.  6 months minimum.

5.  Social Security may not pay you enough to make ends meet.  The average Social Security disability benefit is about $1,250 per month.  For some families, that doesn't even cover the mortgage.

These are depressing facts--but worth thinking about.

So, what can you do to protect yourself and your family?  Here are 3 important things.

1.  Buy short-term and long-term disability insurance through your employer if it is offered.  These plans usually pay while you wait on Social Security and they pay even if Social Security denies your claim.  Many of my clients are surviving financially because they have disability insurance through their former employers.  It is absolutely life-saving.  And it's usually not expensive.  But get it now, while you can.

2.  Try to save enough for at least 6 months without income.  Figure out what your family budget requires for 6 months, and start saving.  Do it a little at a time if necessary.  Start a savings plan at your bank or credit union and contribute regularly.  Yes, it will hurt at first.  But not as much as a sudden loss of all income through disability.  Instead of buying a big screen TV or something with your tax refund, think about saving it. Same thing with your stimulus check!

3.  If you must file for Social Security disability, get an advocate or attorney professionally involved before your claim gets irrevocably messed up.  There comes a point when no attorney can help you.  Don't reach that point before you call someone.  If you're not ready to hire professional help, at least call someone for some free advice to get pointed in the right direction.

A little planning and effort before-hand can make all the difference when a sudden disability strikes.

IT'S THE THINGS WE DON'T PLAN FOR THAT ARE DISASTROUS.

 

YOUR SSDI CAN EXPIRE UNLESS YOU FILE YOUR CLAIM IN TIME

You stopped working a few years ago.  At the time, you didn't think about disability.  You just didn't feel up to the wear and tear a job was putting you through.

Years later, your condition worsens and you feel it's time to file a new Social Security disability claim.

Social Security tells you that your insured status for disability has expired.  Your Date Last Insured or DLI has already past.  What does this mean?

In simple terms, it may mean that you may have waited too long to file a claim.  You are no longer insured for disability by the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) is only for workers.  It does not insure the general public, but only workers who pay FICA through payroll deduction.  You must pay into Social Security to be covered by it, just like you must pay your car insurance or homeowners insurance to remain covered.

SSDI generally expires about 5 years after an individual stops working and stops paying FICA.  Like any other insurance policy that isn't paid, it expires.  The expiration date is called the "Date Last Insured," or DLI.  This applies to new claims.

Here is the general rule on coverage.  You must have worked at least 5 out of the past 10 years to be covered.

Let's say your DLI has passed.  You are no longer an insured person.  Can you still file a claim?

Yes, it may be possible.  Persons who are no longer insured by SSDI get one chance to file a new claim.  They are permitted to file one, and only one, new claim after their date last insured.  There is a catch, however.  They must prove that their disability began before their date last insured.

For example, if your DLI was 12/31/18, you must prove that your disability began prior to that date.  The further in the past your DLI was, the harder it will be to prove disability.

Think of it in the same terms as your automobile insurance.  If your car policy expired on 12/31/18, accidents occurring before that date are covered.  Those occurring after that date are not covered.  The accident must occur before the insurance expired.

SSDI insures against a worker's disability.  It stands to reason that disability must occur before the disability insurance expires.

How do you find out what your date last insured (DLI) is?  It's simple.  Call your local Social Security office and ask.  It's in their computer under your account and can be accessed in 1 minute or less.

Here's the point to take away from this discussion:  If you have stopped working and feel you are disabled, file an SSDI claim right away.  (You cannot file while you are still working at "substantial gainful activity").

TOUGHEST QUESTIONS AT A DISABILITY HEARING

Social Security hearings are held so a judge can look at the claim and decide whether disability benefits can be paid under the law.

A lot of the questions are routine:  your age, past work, when you stopped working, your highest level of education?

Some of the questions are....well....tough. Such as:

"If you had a job where you could rotate from standing to sitting as often as you want, had to lift nothing heavier than 10 pounds, and only had to make simple decisions--why couldn't you do that job?"

(This describes a sedentary unskilled job, which is usually what determines the decision for claimants under age 50).

Example of this type job would be:  ticket taker, hand packager, or parking garage attendant.

Factors that may keep you from being able to perform these type of jobs would include:

• severe, chronic pain
• inability to concentrate or remain on task
• inability to get along with supervisors or the public
• need to lie down a few times each day
• inability to use the hands for repetitive motions
• the need for a break more often than every 2 hrs.
• being absent more than 1 day a month due to illness.

Your attorney or representative will sit down with you prior to the hearing and help you truthfully answer the "tough" questions you may get during your hearing.