As a US citizen and in some cases even if you’re only a resident, you will be eligible for social insurance in case of disability. Whatever is the reason behind it, so long as it’s long-term (12 months or longer) or permanent, you should expect to benefit from social security insurance.
However, before you can access your insurance, you need to present your case in front of a judge who will decide on the benefit amount based on a number of factors. If you’re currently working on your disability case and could use some help, here are 6 pro tips to keep in mind.
1. Make Sure You’re Eligible
Before you waste any time or money, you should first confirm your eligibility for filing for a disability claim. The conditions of your eligibility might vary based on which state you live in and your history as a taxpayer. Do some research yourself and seek information from official and trusted resources before you start taking any real steps.
However, knowing that most disability cases are denied based on lack of sufficient evidence of eligibility, you should make sure you pay attention and collect any supporting documents you might need to prove that you qualify for your state’s social security insurance.
2. Finalize Your Application Process
Once you have prepared the documents and information you need for your claim, you should fill out an application. During the application process you will be asked to submit all of your medical records that explain your current medical condition and show your need for social security insurance. If you live in the Bay area, click here for a free case review by experienced social security law attorneys to understand how you can enhance your chances to win your disability case. This will give you an insight about what to mention on your application and the tone you should use for the best results.
3. Hire a Professional Social Security Lawyer
Doing your research, you will notice that the advice to hire a professional social security lawyer is constantly recurring. Especially if you go through testimonials from other people who’ve gone through similar cases, you will learn that having an expert by your side is imperative if you want to tip the scales in your favor. Find someone you are comfortable with and can entrust with this important case. When the case starts getting complicated and drags in court for reasons beyond your comprehension, you will be thankful you have a professional by your side fighting for your rights.
4. Keep in Contact with Your Treating Physician
Recommendations from your treating physician can make or break your disability case. The judge will put a lot of weight on the medical records signed upon by your physician and might even ask them to appear in court for a hearing. Having a good relationship with your physician means that they will be more willing to go the extra mile to make sure you win the social security benefits that you deserve.
5. Commit to Your Treatment Plan
Even if you’ve made peace with the fact that you’re going to live with a permanent disability, you should still commit to the “treatment” plan recommended by your physician. Showing the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the judge that you’re serious about your wellbeing will make you come across as a genuine and deserving individual who isn’t trying to overplay their disability for their benefit.
As surprising as this might sound, but unfortunately, it’s not unusual for some to present falsified medical reports to gain access to social security benefits that they don’t actually deserve. This might be extremely unfair to deserving folks like yourself, however, it’s the SSA’s responsibility to play this governing role to ensure fair distribution of the state’s resources.
6. Follow Up on your Case Progress
Your disability case is probably one among thousands that are filed everyday in your city. Just because your case is taking longer than expected, it doesn’t mean that you forget all about it and leave everything to your OPERS Disability Lawyer. It’s your responsibility to keep a close watch on the progress of your case and stay in close contact with your lawyer to prepare for your next move.
This is especially important if you’re planning on filing for an appeal and the court is only granting you a limited timeframe to do so. You should also consider keeping an updated log of all the relevant correspondences, recording the dates and contact persons you speak to throughout the course of your case to be able to track progress more efficiently.
The idea of having to work hard to gain a benefit that you clearly deserve might be frustrating. However, if you keep in mind that the complexity of the process is simply to ensure its fairness, this will alter your perception to become more practical and focus on proving your eligibility. Use the above tips to give you a headstart and improve your chances of winning.
