Social Security Disability Mistakes to Avoid

Social security disability is the government program that is designed to provide disability benefits for individuals who cannot work due to a disability. If you have been injured or have a disability, social security disability can help you with a monthly benefit payment that can help to make ends meet until your disability is cured and you are released to return back to work or permanently if your disability cannot be healed.

As with any government program, if you want social security disability, there is an application process that you must go through in order to determine whether or not you qualify for the benefit. With the invention of the Internet, it is possible to get many of your questions and some information online from the social security administration. The actually application process, however, must be done at your local social security administration office.

Social Security Disability Mistakes to Avoid

There are some common mistakes that many people make when applying for social security disability, These mistakes can be the direct result of your case being denied or loss of benefits:

• For the elderly, forgetting to apply is a mistake. An authorized relative can help with getting them to the social security off to apply.
• Failing to request a hearing if your case is denied. There is no cost to you to request a hearing and it may be that your case was wrongfully closed.
• Failing to report changes.
• Filing a false claim.
• Failing to check the status of your application.
• Reporting to a hearing without the necessary documentation.
• Missing a medical exam scheduled by social security.
• Not taking your prescribed medication.
• Attending a hearing without representation or using a friend as a representative.

Reporting Changes

It is not the social security administration’s responsibility to keep up with you. When you change addresses or phone numbers, it is your responsibility to report these changes to them. Likewise, when your medications, medical condition or other circumstances change, you need to report these changes to your local social security office. Not reporting such changes can result in improper adjustments to your case or having your case closed.

The social security administration understands that sometimes you are short on time and don’t have the option of waiting in their offices for long periods of time. To this end, your local social security office will usually have a system in place that allows you to go in, select the reason you are there from an electronic database on a computer screen near the door, select your option and receive instant notification of what form you need to fill out. After you complete the form, you can submit it, usually to a drop box, and then you’re free to leave.

Find a Disability Lawyer