Hi, my name is Kirsten Krueger and two years ago, I was in a car accident. I was stopped at a stop sign when the driver behind me slammed into my car. Due to my injuries, I had to spend a few days in the hospital and I was unable to work for two months. My medical care was expensive and without being able to work, I couldn't pay my bills. The car accident was stressful enough and then I had to worry about how I would pay my bills. After speaking with a car accident lawyer, it wasn't long before I was compensated for my medical bills and lost wages from work. I'm writing this blog to help others who have been a car accident and haven't received any compensation. As you read my posts, you'll learn how an attorney can help you if you're in a vehicle accident.
If you have a medical condition that prevents you from working, social security disability benefits can provide you with the income you need to survive. Unfortunately, disability applications can take months to be approved. In addition, over 70% of all applications are denied during the initial process.
A denial can be devastating, especially if your disability payments are going to be your only source of income while you're unable to work. Luckily, there are some steps you can take that will help improve your chances of being approved for benefits the first time. Here are three steps you should take when applying for social security disability benefits.
Seek Legal Counsel
If you're in a financial crisis due to your disability, you might believe that you can't afford the expense of hiring a lawyer. Unfortunately, that belief might end up costing you in the long run. Lawyers who specialize in social security disability, know what to do to help you get approved for benefits. Not only that but most disability lawyers work on a contingency basis, which means that they won't take any money until you're approved for your benefits. Before you decide to go-it-alone through the application process, sit down and speak to an attorney.
List All Your Medical Conditions
When it comes to filling out the paperwork, be sure to list all of your medical conditions on the application. This means that you need to list all the conditions that you're seeking disability benefits for. However, it also means that you need to add every other condition that you suffer from – including asthma, allergies, carpal tunnel syndrome or fibromyalgia.
These medical conditions – taken individually – may not be a basis for receiving disability benefits. However, when taken as a whole with your other disabilities, they may help you get the approval you need. This is particularly true if a minor ailment, when coupled with a major ailment, increases the severity of the disability. List every ailment, even if it seems minor to you.
Make Yourself Known
The Social Security Administration receives numerous applications on a daily basis. The sheer volume of applications can result in your application being lost in the shuffle. You can avoid being lost by making yourself known. Call your field office representative at least once a month to check on the process of your application. By calling the office, you'll be able to ensure that your application is being processed properly and in a timely manner. You can also get updates about missing paperwork without waiting for the mail to arrive. To avoid delays, be sure to keep in contact with your field representative.
If you're filing for disability benefits, you need to do everything possible to ensure an approval. The information provided here will help you avoid mistakes that could delay your benefits. For other information about social security disability benefits, be sure to speak to your lawyer, such as Bruce K Billman.
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