How to File a Social Security Disability Application
You have multiple options for filing an SSDI application. The Social Security Administration (SSA) recommends filing online and treats the online application as the default method. Here are a few reasons you may want to use the online application process:
You can apply any time it’s convenient for you, rather than having to wait for an appointment and then apply during business hours
The SSA says that online applications are typically processed more quickly than other application types
You can stop and start the online application, meaning that the process won’t be derailed if you’re missing some information
With the average wait time for an initial determination crossing the 7-month mark in February of 2023, it makes sense to take the most efficient route possible. However, if you can’t apply online or just don’t want to, you have other options.
Alternative Ways to Apply for Social Security Disability Benefits
Apply at Your Local Social Security Office
You can apply for disability benefits in person. One advantage to this approach is that you’ll have an SSA staff member available to answer questions or provide other assistance. You can find your local office through the SSA’s field office locator tool.
If you choose to apply in person, be sure to call ahead for an appointment. And, make sure you have all of the required information gathered.
Apply by Phone
Applying by phone is similar to applying at your local office. You’ll have an SSA representative to assist you, and they’ll ask you questions to collect the information you would fill in when completing the application. The SSA offers a starter kit to help you prepare to complete your application and interview, whether you apply online, by phone, or in person.
Need Help with Your SSDI Application?
Most Social Security disability benefits applications are initially denied. You can improve your chances of being among those applications approved in the first round by ensuring that your application is completed properly and that you have provided adequate supporting documentation to fully establish your claim. Working with an experienced disability benefits advocate can help ensure that you put together the best application possible. To learn more about how Disability Help Group can help, call (800) 800-3332 right now, or fill out the contact form on this site.
You’ve probably heard stories about disability insurance companies or workers’ compensation insurance carriers hiring private investigators to try to disprove disability or injury claims. Those stories aren’t urban legends–at least, not all of them. Private insurers make their money by minimizing payouts. So, if someone is seriously injured or permanently disabled young, the insurance carrier has an incentive to invest in finding evidence to call their claims into question.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) typically doesn’t make that type of investment in investigating your claim. But, if you’re applying for social security disability, it is up to you to prove that you are medically disabled and otherwise qualified. And, if you raise red flags, your application may be denied.
Social Security Disability (SSDI) recipients are also subject to periodic review to ensure that they are still unable to work due to disability. If there’s evidence that you don’t have the limitations you’re claiming, the SSA will take that into account.
The SSA Does Investigate Suspected Fraud
Though the SSA isn’t usually as aggressive about gathering information on you as a private insurance carrier might be, they do work to avoid paying fraudulent claims and detect ongoing fraud. In fact, the SSA has Cooperative Disability Investigation (CDI) units all over the country. These units investigate claims the SSA suspects may be fraudulent before any benefits are paid, and provides support for continuing disability reviews.
Both the SSA and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) also invite reports from people who are aware of Social Security fraud.
Protecting Yourself from Allegations of Social Security Disability (SSDI) Fraud
There’s never a guarantee that the SSA won’t choose to investigate your claim. But, there are steps you can take to minimize the chances of a delay or denial based on suspected fraud. First and foremost, always provide thorough and accurate information. “Fudging a little” to secure benefits isn’t likely to succeed, and in some circumstances, it is a crime.
You should also:
Be consistent in receiving medical care and following your doctor’s recommendations
Provide detailed information about your condition and your limitations, and provide documentation
Be careful what you say on social media–some fraud tips are based on mistakes or malice, so avoid creating an opening
Work with an experienced disability benefits advocate to pursue your claim
Working with a knowledgeable social security disability advocate can help ensure your application is complete, you’re providing the right documentation, and you’re presenting the strongest case possible. Your advocate can also help you avoid honest mistakes or oversights that might trigger an investigation.
To learn more about how Disability Help Group can help, call (800) 800-3332 right now, or contact us here.
How Long Will It Take to Get a Decision on My Social Security Disability?
If you’re unable to work, you’ll obviously want to get Social Security disability benefits as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, the SSDI application and appeals processes are not quick. So, it’s important to have realistic expectations going in.
The SSDI Application and Appeals Timeline
Initial Application
According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), it typically takes three to six months to get a decision on your initial application. You may be able to speed the process up somewhat by applying online. You can also help avoid delays by making sure that your application is complete and you provide all necessary documentation. Still, you can expect to wait at least a few months to get a decision, and in some cases it may take more than six months.
If you apply for Social Security benefits right away when you become disabled, the time that you’re waiting for a decision may substantially overlap with the mandatory waiting period to receive benefits. That means you could cut down the time between becoming disabled and receiving disability benefits if you apply promptly.
Reconsideration of Your Social Security Disability Denial
If your initial application is denied–and most are–the next step is to request reconsideration. You have 60 days to make the request, and then can typically expect to wait several weeks for a decision.
Hearing Before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)
If your claim is denied on reconsideration, you’ll have 60 days to request a hearing before an ALJ. Then, you’ll wait a minimum of several months for your hearing date. In March of 2023, the shortest average wait time was eight months. In some areas of the country, the average time between requesting a hearing and the hearing date was two years or more. After the hearing, you can expect to wait a few months longer for a decision.
Appeals Council Review
If your claim for disability benefits is still denied by the ALJ, you have one last chance in the administrative process–requesting Appeals Council review. However, the Appeals Council has discretion to take up a case or not, and most requests are denied. If the Appeals Council does consider your SSDI claim, you may wait anywhere from a few months to two years or more for a ruling.
Time for Social Security Disability Approval
As you can see, the amount of time it takes to receive a final decision on your social security disability from the SSA varies significantly. The most significant factor is how far you have to go in the process. If you file right away and your initial application is approved, you could be receiving benefits as soon as the sixth month after you become disabled. If you have to go through the entire appeals process, you will typically be waiting for a couple of years, and perhaps four years or more.
That means it’s critical that you submit the strongest application possible. And, if you’re denied, you’ll want to take full advantage of the opportunity to present additional information with your request for reconsideration.
Disability Help Group was founded by experienced disability experts who have been representing the disabled for over 15 years. Our team understands how to work with the Social Security Administration in the best interest of the disabled person.
Disability claims often require time and patience from the claimant, which can be tough to deal with when a person’s finances are in question. We have representatives across the country to ensure that your rights are being protected and the disability process is being properly followed. To learn more, call (800) 800-3332 right now, or contact us here.
TOP 5 MISTAKES WHEN APPEALING YOUR DENIED DISABILITY CLAIM
– Matt Sauerwald, Vice-President, Disability Help Group
Matt Sauerwald is one of the top SSDI Advocates in the United States. With an abundance of knowledge and expertise in Disability law, Matt has dedicated his profession to helping those who are unable to work due to a disability and has successfully represented thousands of clients in their claims for disability benefits.
Below, Matt shares with you his top five mistakes that are made when appealing your denied disability claim.
1. NOT APPEALING YOUR DENIAL
The biggest mistake an applicant can make is not appealing their denial. Despite being unable to work on a regular and consistent basis, despite having serious medical conditions, and despite the fact the vast majority of individuals who get approved for Social Security disability do so after appearing in front of a judge, many disability applicants do not appeal initial denials.
2. DELAYING YOUR APPEAL
Delays in appealing a Social Security denial also are a big mistake. Social Security does not do anything fast. There are millions of applicants each year. Filing an appeal as on as is practical is the best practice.
3. NOT CONSULTING WITH AN ADVOCATE WHEN YOU ARE DENIED
There are many reasons to work with a disability advocate from the jump when filing an application. These benefits, notwithstanding, many individuals elect to file the application on their own. However, once you are denied Social Security at the initial determination level, common sense dictates to get help from an expert! As the old saying goes, an individual who represents themselves in a legal proceeding, may have a fool for a client. Social Security has complicated rules and regulations. Don’t fight this fight alone because you might not know what you don’t know.
4. THINKING DENIAL IS THE END OF THE PROCESS
Almost every type of medical can denial can be appealed, even if you have been denied by a judge. Even if you have exhausted your medical appeals, many times there are still options to keep the claim going such as filing a new application or a motion to reopen a prior adjudication.
5. THINKING YOU DON’T QUALIFY
The final mistake people make when getting denied is thinking they don’t have a good case or that they don’t qualify. If Social Security approved everyone they were supposed to approve at the outset of the case, there would not be tens of thousands of hearings occurring every year. If you have serious medical conditions and cannot work because of those conditions, don’t give up!
If your claim has been denied or you are currently working through the appeals process and need help, don’t hesitate to contact Mr. Sauerwald and the team at Disability Help Group at 800-800-3332 now to see how we can help get your claim approved.
Since 2010 Matthew Sauerwald has been a leading voice for the disabled community in seeking compensation from the Social Security Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Mr. Sauerwald has led one of the nations most successful advocacy organizations Disability Help Group since 2015 and has litigated thousands of Social Security disability hearings resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars of disability awards. Learn more about Matthere.
Top Mistakes That Will Get Your Disability Claim Denied Every Time.
– Matt Sauerwald, Vice-President, Disability Help Group
Matt Sauerwald is one of the top Disability Advocates in the U.S. Matt has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in Social Security Disability law and has devoted his professional life to helping those who are unable to work due to a disability. Matt has successfully represented thousands of clients throughout their benefits claims.
Below, Matt shares the top mistakes that will get your claim denied every time.
Failing to cooperate with the process.
If you fail to give SSA what they are requesting, they will deny your case.
Working before you get an initial decision.
When SSA makes the initial decision (which normally takes 6 – 9 months) there is no hearing. You don’t get to testify, and an advocate does not get to argue your case. Everything is paperwork and medical records. Social Security has its own doctors, who you never get to meet, review your file, and determine if you are disabled.
Given the fact that only one-third of individuals applying for disability get approved at the initial stage, this means the doctors are clearly biased towards saying individuals are not disabled.
If you are working at a full-time level or even if a part-time level (if the job is hard or stressful), you are virtually guaranteeing denial.
Failing to attend your hearing.
Disability Help Group wins thousands of disability awards each year. This is the most important day in your case. Social Security is now offering phone and video hearings.
Failing to attend your hearing is a huge mistake because this is the one part of the process where you get to tell your story and have someone advocate for you and argue your case. Show up!
Working and not disclosing the work.
There are special rules about working Social Security disability. You can attempt work for 6 months and continue your case so long as you have to stop because of a medical condition. This is called an unsuccessful work attempt.
If you have already been out of work for 12 months or longer due to a medical condition and returned to work, you can still get paid for the period of time you were out of work. This is called a closed period.
If you are working, don’t hide it. Talk with your advocate about it and Social Security.
Not appealing a decision.
Many people get denied at the initial stage of the process and give up. This makes no sense unless you are back to work full-time.
Most people who get approved for disability do so at their hearing. Even if you are not sure about the case, until you are back to work full-time, you should appeal.
Working with an advocate can ensure your appeal gets filed and processed quicker too.
For individuals approaching age 62 or on early retirement, many don’t think of disability as even an option.
This is a mistake. When you take early retirement, you are penalized. You get less money on a monthly basis than if you waited for full retirement age.
If you are on early retirement and can prove you were disabled prior to the election of early retirement you can eliminate the early retirement penalty. This could mean tens to hundreds of thousands of extra dollars in your pocket.
If your claim has been denied or you are currently working through the appeal process and need help, contact Mr. Sauerwald and the team at Disability Help Group at 800-800-3332 today and see how we can help get your claim approved.
Since 2010 Matthew Sauerwald has been a leading voice for the disabled community in seeking compensation from the Social Security Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Mr. Sauerwald has led one of the nation’s most successful disability advocacy organizations Disability Help Group since 2015 and has litigated thousands of hearings resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars of disability awards. Learn more about Matt here.
