SUGGESTIONS FOR FILING
FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY
Last update 9 April 2007
- GET
A DISABILITY LAWYER TO FILL OUT THE INITIAL PAPERWORK THE FIRST TIME
YOU APPLY FOR SSD.
- You need a lawyer because you
don' t know all the factors they need to take into consideration.
- Make certain the lawyer you
use is specialized in disability filings.
- Consider using a law firm
that specializes in disability law such as ALSUP or similar.
- The amount of retroactive
award money (see below) that can be paid to the lawyer is limited by
law, and the amount is capped.
- The cost of an experienced
lawyer is worth it in the long run.
- Some lawyers will even do disability
filings for free.
- Don't sugar coat your
illness.
- High doses of prednisone
(and similar) probably make you feel much better than you truly
are.
- As you have been diagnosed
with an autoimmune vasculitis, you have a chronic and permanent illness
in most cases.
- You can't tell what the
future holds.
- The meds used to treat
vasculitis have side effects that can be permanent and serious and go
on to create problems later on in life.
- Chemotherapeutic
agents (immunosuppressives) can make you fatigues, weak, nauseous,
etc.
- Don't predict a future
ability to work or let anyone present to the court there's a high
degree of probability you'll be able to work.
- DON'T
WORK PART TIME OR GO TO SCHOOL WHILE YOUR STAUS IS PENDING.
- Even
after disability status is awarded, be leery of working or going to
school. It may get your status revoked.
- NEVER REFILE AN APPLICATION AS THAT
RESTARTS THE DISABILITY CLOCK.
- If your application is denied
at any step in the process, have your lawyer appeal, not file a new
application.
- IF YOU HAVE A COURT HEARING, BE SURE TO
HAVE A DISABILITY LAWYER REPRESENTS YOU.
- The government isn't
in the business to hand out money even though you are disabled as
defined in the disability laws.
- They will seek ways
to delay or deny disability status.
- Someone from your local
Social Security office can appeal the court's decision.
- FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION ON DISABILITY FILING
- MAKE
SURE ALL YOUR PHYSICIANS KEEP ACCURATE AND COMPLETE RECORDS..
- Keep your own journal at
home.
- If you can't do it then make
sure a family member or friend is keeping notes/diary on how you're
feeling, medication changes, appointments etc.
- HAVE
YOUR PHYSICIANS WRITE STONG LETTERS TO GO WITH THE INITIAL APPLICATION.
- Make sure those letters
address not only your vasculitis, but all the damage vasculitis has already caused.
- Have the side effects of your medications
explained, both current and future risks.
- Be sure the letters includes
your complete medical records.
- SAVE
MONEY HOWEVER YOU CAN.
- A disability action is a
lengthy process.
- if you are disabled but not
on death's door, the government will do all they can to delay or deny
awarding disability status.
- When disability is awarded,
you will receive an amount back dated to the original filing date.
- It takes about 2-3 months
before you learn the retroactive payment amount..