Leaving the workforce is a big decision. It should not be taken lightly, and it should not be done unless you have a very good reason. A debilitating injury that prevents you from working is just such a reason, but you still need to make ends meet. This is what Social Security Disability is for, and if you have been working and paying taxes for a sufficient enough time, then you have a right to benefits. However, it can be a long road to get approved, so here are some things you need to know to speed up your SSDI application.
How You Can Speed Up Your SSDI Application
- Know Your Condition– It is recommended that before you submit an application for SSDI benefits, you should request all of your medical records from at least the last five years. This includes any records from any specialist you may have seen, as well as any scans. Figure out where you have had medical visits: the cardiologist, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, physical therapist. Once you have acquired your records, read through them. You may not understand all the medical terms, but it will at least tell you what your doctor thinks, and that is important to the next thing you need to do.
- Talk to Your Doctor– In a previous blog, we warned you that doctor approval doesn’t guarantee that your benefits claim will be accepted. However, what your doctor thinks is still an important part of the approvals process. Therefore, it is very important that you and your doctor are on the same page when it comes to your injury/illness. How bad is your condition? Does the doctor have experience with SSDI cases? Does the doctor think it is a good idea for you to stop working? These are all questions you need to ask your physician to see if you are seeing eye-to-eye. If you are not, then it may be important to get a second opinion to ensure that applying for Social Security Disability is the right thing for you.
- Talk to Your Family– What does your family think about your condition? How has your condition affected their lives? Are they willing to be a part of your application process? Third parties can sometimes be vital to making your case before a judge, so it is a good idea to see how your family feels about participating in this process. They are also a good source of emotional support during your application process.
- Hire a Professional– The final key to speeding up the application process for Social Security Disability is being exhaustively detailed. However, you don’t want to contradict yourself, nor do you want to give details that the court is uninterested in. This means you need someone on your side that is experienced in what the Social Security Administration needs from applicants. A disability attorney has that experience, plus they can help you meet deadlines, obtain records and properly fill out forms.
An attorney’s experience at the beginning of your application process could save you months of waiting. Keep following our Tulsa disability attorneys to learn more, and if you have questions about getting your disability case on track, don’t be afraid to contact an attorney.
