Filing for Social Security disability benefits or for the SSI program is a long, arduous process. Obtaining approval to receive payments takes even longer. It can take years for this to happen. In the meantime, a person’s financial health is sure to decline, as savings dwindle, cars are repossessed, and loans go into default. To minimize the damage, it is critical that disability claim processing is accelerated.
The application must list every source of medical treatment that the applicant has received, the dates of each visit, plus the names of each doctor. The addresses and contact information are also important. It is important to provide medical records as far back as possible. A case that is eventually approved will be eligible for back-pay to the moment it is determined health issues led to the inability to work.
Much time spent during disability claim processing is due to waiting for medical records. It is advantageous to have several copies made and to have one sent along with the initial application. Medical records requests from hospitals take an unnecessary amount of time, so sending them along with the application decreases the wait. The examiner must have these to proceed any further with a case. Providing them at the outset could save months in the process of being approved.
After the paperwork has been filed, and the case is underway, an applicant cannot just sit back and wait to see what happens; he or she must be proactive. This involves calling the examiner at a special number for the Disability Determination Services (DDS) department in order to obtain updates. Doing this ensures that you won’t have any unpleasant surprises down the road. It’s terrible to have months go by, wondering what is going on, only to find out some information was needed-;months ago.
A disability attorney in San Diego area can assist you if trouble does arise. These programs are designed to prevent fraud, waste and abuse. However, this means that legitimate claims are denied along the way due to an ill-prepared case. Don’t let this happen. Get speedy results in order to get on with your life.
