Social Security: 5 Things to Know Before Applying

Have you been considering applying for disability (again) or know someone who is eligible?  Please share these tips with them.  No matter where you are in your case, or even if you have been approved, knowing the following is important.

1) You will need to make an appointment with your local social security office for an interview.

The first step to qualifying for disability is to call your local office and schedule an interview. You can have this interview by phone or in person. Make sure to know your relevant work history and medical history when you attend.

2) You will need current medical evidence.

Social Security needs to see current medical evidence in order to support your claim. Make sure you have been to the doctor in at least the past year and will continue to attempt to do so—even to low cost clinics or the hospital.

3) You may want to get a disability representative.

Keeping up with a disability claim can be stressful, with lots of paperwork and appeals to be filed. The best option, to make sure that no deadlines are missed and to have a team working for you, is to hire a disability representative. Muse Disability is happy to assist you with this whenever you are considering.

4) It can be a long process.

Depending on the type of disability you have, the medical evidence provided, and how quickly your case is able to move through social security depends on how quickly your case will be approved. Some cases can take from 6 months to 2 years or longer. It depends on a number of variables, but if you are severely disabled it is always worth it to keep going.

5) The final decision is based on a set of policies based on your disability.

Disability is based on your ability to work and your prior work history. Thus, SSA will look at your work credits from that past ten years to see if you are eligible for SSDI. They also take into account how much you or a family member is bringing in financially now to see if you are eligible for SSI. If you have passed either or both of those credentials, then they will take a look at how your medical records and other evidence measure up to certain policies set in place for your disability. From there a decision will be made. To find out the difference between SSDI and SSI.

Want even more information about applying?

We are here to help during this process and to answer any questions you might have regarding your case.

All the best,

Scot Whitaker, CEO & President Muse Disability Services