5 Tips for Strengthening Your Social Security Disability Claim

1. File Your Application Promptly

If you plan on filing an application for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), it is important to file your application promptly. Many people make the mistake of putting off filing which could cost them valuable time and potentially affect their backpay.

File your application as soon as you decide that you will not be able to return to work. When you file your application, make sure to complete the questions as fully as possible.
If you file your application online or by phone, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will ask you many questions. It is important that these questions are answered so that the SSA will have all the information needed to make a favorable decision.

2. Be Aware of Deadlines in Your Claim

Be aware of deadlines in your claim. Throughout the process, there will be many time sensitive tasks that must be completed. This could include returning paperwork requested by the SSA. The biggest deadlines imposed by the SSA revolve around appealing denials of your claim. If your initial application is denied, you have 60 days to file your appeal.

If you miss this deadline, you may have to start your application all over from the start. The first appeal filed is called a Request for Reconsideration.

If this appeal is denied, you again have 60 days to file an appeal. This appeal is a Request for an Administrative Law Hearing. If you are denied at your hearing and you decide to appeal this decision, you have 60 days to file an Appeals Council Request for Review.

Failure to meet these deadlines can result in your claim being closed and having to start the process all over.

3. Your Medical Record Is the Most Important Piece of Evidence

The most important part of proving your disability claim is your medical record. When the SSA evaluates your claim, they are going to base their decision if you are disabled on what limitations they see supported in your medical records. They are looking for objective testing, results of functional assessments, and medical opinions of limitations.

It is important, therefore, that you are getting treatment for the conditions you experience. It is also important that you get treatment from providers that specialize in the conditions you experience. If you are experiencing migraines, the SSA is looking for neurology treatment.

If you are experiencing mental health impairments, they are looking for psychiatry records and notes from a therapist. If you are alleging that you have a certain restriction, it is important that your medical record supports it. For example, if you need to use a cane, there should be a prescription for the cane and an opinion from your doctor that the cane is medically necessary.

Your records should also indicate that you actually use the cane. The SSA is looking for compliance with your treatment plan. If someone does not follow the advice of their medical provider, it increases the chances of their disability claim being denied.

4. Respond to All Requests from the SSA

In the early stages of your application and appeal, you may receive requests from the SSA for additional information. It is important to respond to these requests, or your claim may be denied. Commonly, the SSA will send you questionnaires asking for information about your daily activities.

They may even ask you to complete these questionnaires more than once. If you do not do so, your claim could be denied for failure to comply with the process. The SSA will also ask you for contact information for your doctors and medical providers. If they do not get this information, they may not be able to request and obtain your medical records.

These medical records are critical to prove the severity of your disabilities. Upon reviewing your medical records, the SSA may schedule one or more consultative examinations for you to attend. These are evaluations performed by doctors or medical providers selected by the SSA to evaluate your physical capabilities, mental health, or special senses such as hearing or vision.

If you do not attend one or more examinations scheduled for you by the SSA, your risk of being denied increases dramatically. If you are unable to attend a consultative examination, it is important to contact the office scheduling the appointment as soon as possible before you miss the examination.

5. Be Prepared for Your Administrative Law Hearing

If your claim goes to an Administrative Law Hearing, it is important to be prepared. Before the hearing, you’ll want to make sure the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) has all of your relevant medical records. If you are working with an attorney, they can complete this task with you. You’ll also want to be prepared for the questions that you’ll be asked by the ALJ at your hearing.

An experienced Social Security Disability Attorney will be able to walk you through their experience with the ALJ and go over the questions you can expect. An attorney will also listen to your answers to make sure you aren’t saying something that you do not mean to say.

At the hearing, an attorney will know how to guide your testimony to topics that show the ALJ how your conditions impact your ability to do job tasks and daily activities. If you know what to expect, it can help you feel more comfortable and avoid making any costly mistakes.