Calling All Disabled, Medicaid, SS, Medicare Recipients

It can also depend on the state you are applying in but with all of the petitions and the work before Congress by the Medicare Rights Center, the standard two year waiting time has been cut down and about overdue time!! The longest time I have had anyone I have helped in getting their benefits has been a year so SSA is making huge strides and progress..

When I applied for SSDI, I contacted a gentleman who was a retired soc sec executive who started his own business of assisting folks get their disability in a timely matter.  I guess 'cause he is  an expert and has an insider's knowledge of how it all works, I got approved the first time around within 3-4 months of applying and started to recieve payments in 5 months.  His name is Mr Wayne Miller and if he is still working his email is claimsadv@juno.com. He works for a % commission.  Nicest person.  We did it all by email.

What worked for me was to keep it simple.  I didn't pull out ALL of my records.  Too much information for them to sort through!  I didn't give them the names to ALL of my doctors, either.  I just picked my neurologist, a sports medicine doctor, and a sleep specialist to use.  If you give too many doctors then you have to wait for all of them to respond to the questions and forms they are sent.  My claim went through in only four months.  When asked why it went through so fast I was told it was because all of my doctors agreed that I was unable to work.  It was as simple as that!

Hope this is helpful....

Vibe

http://freedisabledsecrets.com/

Questions & Answers about Disability Lawyers and Non Attorney Reps .

Tips for working with Social Security Disability Attorneys

CONTINUED FROM ABOVE 

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY: ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS YOU'VE ASKED,CONTINUED FROM ABOVE

I called the social security office and told them I needed a copy of my social security file. They said they don't make copies. I told them that was wrong and because of the freedom of information act I am entitled to a copy. Isn't that right?

What does it mean when a vocational expert at a hearing says there aren't any jobs available?

What good is a social security doctor if he only sees you for a few minutes?

I'm getting a second hearing because the first judge was found to be incorrect according to the appeals council. But I found out I may get the same judge at my second hearing. That's not fair at all. Can I do anything about this?

Why does social security tell you that you can get back payment all the way back to when you first applied when I've heard a lot of people say you don't get the first five months of benefits?

If I get approved for social security disability, from how far back will they pay me?

I think I will probably be approved for benefits. My question is: how often will they have re-decide if I am still eligible for disability payments.

I waited over a year to get a hearing date which is coming up soon. How long will it take for the judge to get a decision done and how long will it take to start receiving anything?

I'm trying to get SSD benefits, not ssi. Will my kid be able to get anything because I am disabled?

How much in total assets can I have for social security and still have disability benefits paid to me?

Will I get medicare or medicaid with my disability if I am approved?

TIPS TO HELP WIN YOUR CASE 

Tip 1: Take everything you are told about your social security disability claim with at least one grain of salt.
Tip 2: Get copies of your medical records and supply these with your ssd or ssi disability application.
Tip 3:One of the best tips: respond to letters and notices regarding you disability case promptly--from social security, DDS, or your attorney or non attorney representative.
Tip 4: The rule of three always applies--for those who are applying or appealing and even those who have won social security disabiilty or ssi disability benefits.
Tip 5: If you are denied on your initial claim for social security disability or ssi, you will need to file an appeal (the reconsideration).
Tip 6: Call DDS for updates on your ssd or ssi claim, not the local SSA office.
Tip 7: Having representation will increase your chance of winning social security disability or ssi benefits.
Tip 8: If you have dire financial problems, let people know.
Tip 9: If you have representation on a social security disability or ssi disability case, either an attorney or non attorney claimant's representative, keep them fully informed.

QUALIFY FOR DISABILITY

The Social Security Administration's definition of disability, i.e. "Disabled"

A person is entitled to receive Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits when they are no longer able to perform SGA, or substantial gainful activity, as the result of a physical or mental impairment that is expected to last at least 12 months, or possibly result in death.


Meeting the definition of disability

To satisfy the definition of disability used by Social Security, a person's disability or impairment must meet or equal the level of severity described in the Social Security listing book. This is essentially the manual that describes dozens of conditions, ranging from arthritis and high blood pressure to asthma, heart failure, and depression. Satisfying the criteria quoted in the listing book will guarantee a disability approval.

However, it is very difficult to win a disability approval based on meeting the disability criteria in the listing book. Most individuals will qualify for social security benefits another way---basically where their disabling condition is severe enough that they are unable to perform their past work while earning at least a substantial monetary amount each month. Currently the SGA amount is $900.00 before taxes. Additionally, in this process, it must be concluded that the individual is not capable of doing certain "other work".

What exactly is other work? Other work that a claimant might possibly do must be related, according to social security regulations, to several factors: a person's age, level of education, and the type of work they did in the past.

CONTINUED BELOW

CONTINUED FROM ABOVE

QUALIFY FOR DISABILITY CONTD 

For example, a person with a 9th grade education who cannot do their past work will never be expected to perform other work that goes beyond their educational limits. And individuals with mental or affective impairments (low IQ or depression or anxiety) will not be expected to perform other work that requires detailed attention and concentration. Also, as a third example, individuals who are physically incapable of doing more than sedentary work will never be expected to perform work that requires medium (lifting 50 lbs on an occasional basis) or even light (lifting 25 lbs on an occasional basis) exertion.

Qualifying for Social Security Monthly Benefits & Past Due Benefits

To qualify for disability benefits, an individual must have paid Social Security payroll taxes over a certain length of time. An individual who has done this will be considered insured. The time frame for paying into the system varies by age. And if an individual stops working and paying Social Security taxes, they must be able to show that their disability began before their insured status ran out.

Applying for Disability

Specific criteria for disability approvals are included in the Social Security Listing of Impairments. It is important to note that a claimant's doctor should be familiar with these criteria when submitting statements on a claimant's behalf. Therefore, it is sometimes useful for a claimant to explain to a doctor just how their condition limits their daily activities.
Also, it is important to provide a full listing of all impairments, conditions, and symptoms on the application for Disability, as well as a list of all the doctors, hospitals, and clinics involved in a claimant's treatment (along with addresses and phone numbers).

Denials

It is not uncommon for a claim for SSD to be denied. In fact, it is the norm and appeals are generally required for disability benefits to be established.

Many claims, however, are denied because the patient's medical record lacks adequate documentation that fully establishes the severity of the disability. Therefore, it is essential that all information regarding continuing medical treatment be reported to social security disability.

Appealing Disability Denials

If the application for SSD is denied, do not reapply. This is a common mistake made by applicants for disability benefits. You should never reapply because new applications will simply be denied again. Instead, file an appeal. Or better yet, seek the services of a qualified disability representative who can guide your case through the disability appeals process.

It is simply a fact that represented cases have a much higher chance of winning than those that are not represented.

Fortunately, today, there are many qualified representatives who are willing to offer free consultations before they are retained. Many of these organizations and firms, particularly the larger and more specialized ones (who do nothing but disability cases, making them very experienced in that area), can be found and contacted online.

More information about SSA disability benefits.

Disability Articles (on topics such as the following):

Why are disability judges so rude?

What can happen when a representative or attorney is not involved in a Social security disability case.

Is filing for social security disability or ssi difficult?

What social security looks for on a disability case.

Social Security Disability and it's unsympathetic attitude toward pain.

How does Social Security define disability?

Why Social Security takes so long on disability cases.

Newer Articles - social security disability

To read other disability articles, enter here.

SS DISABILITY QUESTIONS 

DISABILITY REPRESENTATION - INFORMATION ABOUT LAWYERS & NON ATTORNEYS

Question 1: How do you choose a social security disability lawyer?

Question 2: Can a social security disability or ssi lawyer speed up a case?

Question 3: What will a social security disability or ssi lawyer do to prepare a case?

Question 4: How many ssd or ssi disability cases without lawyers win or lose?

Question 5: Do you have to have a lawyer for a social security disability or ssi case?

Question 6: Do you need a lawyer to appeal a social security disability or ssi denial?

Question 7: What is the maximum a social security disability lawyer can charge?

Question 8: Should social security talk only to your lawyer, or can they talk to you?

QUESTIONS CONTD. 

CONTINUED FROM ABOVE 

DISABILITY REPRESENTATION - INFORMATION ABOUT LAWYERS & NON ATTORNEYS-Continued

Question 11: Should you get a disability lawyer after the first denial or after the reconsideration is denied?


Question 12: Do you need a disability lawyer for only the hearing?


Question 13: Will a disability lawyer do all your paperwork for you?


Question 14: Do you need a disability lawyer to file an appeal with the appeals council?


Question 15: Do you need an ssd lawyer to file an appeal in federal district court?


Question 16: Should you get a local social security disability lawyer?


Question 17: What if you are not satisfied with the disability representation you already have?

Questions about disability attorneys and lawyers

Make sure your doctor supports your social security disability case

No health insurance, no medications: A common predicament for social security claimants

How to file for disability

Winning disability

General information about SSA disability benefits

Introduction to, and rationale for, DisabilitySecrets.com

The Social Security Medical Exam: rude and quick

Going broke while on social security disability

http://www.disabilitysecrets.com

About this site 

Excellent site!

The purpose of this site is to distribute information that, typically, is impossible to get from the person taking your claim for SSD and SSI benefits. In essence, applying for disability and SSI benefits might as well be a secret process since Social Security does not try to make this information clear or even understandable.

Statistically, seventy percent of all SSD (a.k.a. SSDI) and SSI claims, represented or otherwise, are denied at application. What does this mean for ssd and ssi applicants who are disabled and need help? That they should follow this advice tip: learn everything you can about the benefit approval system to better your chances of winning, with or without the help of a disability attorney or lawyer.

The information, tips and advice presented here can help you understand: 1) How to apply for benefits with the Social Security Administration, 2) How the SSDI and SSI system works, 3) What SSA doesn't tell you about the application and appeal process, 4) What you can do on your own as a disabled applicant to help your case, and 5) What you should never do that might potentially harm your case.

This is simply the information you should be able to get from a representative at the Social Security Administration, but almost never will.

If you suffer from a medical, psychological, or psychiatric impairment and have initiated or been denied on a social security disability, or ssi, claim for benefits, this site may assist you with your case.

Social Security

SSA Online

Social Security Statement: Online Request

SSA Forms

Social Security Handbook

Social Security Rulings

SSR/AR Finding Lists

Legislative Information

Social Security Materials - Cornell Legal Information Institute (L.I.I.)

Contents

How We Decide If You Are Still Disabled

We will gather the information

We will review the facts

How your benefits are affected

Contacting Social Security

1. Regardless of what anyone tells you, it's good advice, if you are disabled and unable to work, to pursue a claim for Social Security disability, or ssi based on disability, and get it filed immediately. Reason: disability claims can take a very long time to process. This isn't true in all cases, but it is in most. Unfortunately, many claimants for disability benefits have experienced severe problems and hardship simply because they had no idea how long the process would be, and only realized when it was too late that they should have filed an application much much sooner.

2. If you are denied on your Initial Claim, it's good advice to get an attorney or non attorney Representative to provide representation and help you with your claim for continuing and past due benefits (back pay). Reason: the way the disability system works, a claimant will, typically, either be approved on an initial application...or will be forced to follow the appeal route, at least to the point where their case is brought before an Administrative Law Judge at a social security disability hearing. This is not always the case, but it is generally a predictable rule of thumb (*reconsiderations usually have a much higher rate of denial than initial claims--and initial claims are denied 60 to 70 percent of the time, depending on the state in which you filed. For this reason, most claimants will have to go to a hearing if they hope to be approved--and going to a hearing unrepresented is foolish).

3. If you think you may have problems doing the paperwork for your social security disability Claim, take some advice and find qualified assistance immmediately. An extraordinary number of persons who apply for benefits, or file an appeal following a denial, fail to properly complete their paperwork, or fail to submit their forms in a timely manner (*all appeals for disability must be filed within 60 days of the date of the last denial).

4. Advice: Since your Social Security Disability or SSI claim will be evaluated completely on the basis of your medical records, the best advice is to get regular, ongoing medical treatment. Reason no. 1: even if your past medical records indicate that you are disabled, an examiner or judge will not be able to approve your claim for continuing benefits if current medical records are not available to substantiate your claim. Reason no. 2: if you attempt to get a supporting statement from your doctor (an RFC is much better--see the definitions page), you may have difficulty getting your physician to cooperate if he/she has not seen you recently. If you lose your medical coverage before your claim for benefits is approved, as is usually the case, try to be seen at a free clinic, county health department, or emergency room. While these treatment sources are not the best, they are, simply put, better than nothing. Another avenue to pursue may be with your state's Vocational Rehab department. Very often, VR can assist claimants in getting certain testing and examinations paid for. Though this is always for the purpose of developing a VR claim, vr counselors are usually willing to supply these records to a claimant's representative as well. Just remember this advice: as a general rule you cannot be approved for social security disability or ssi based on disability if you are not seen by a medical provider at least once every two months.

Claimants with representation
have a better chance of approval.

To contact a disability attorney
and get a free evaluation, click here

DISABILITY ADVICE PAGE 2 

|

The Social Security Administration's definition of disability, i.e. "Disabled"
A person is entitled to receive Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits when they are no longer able to perform SGA, or substantial gainful activity, as the result of a physical or mental impairment that is expected to last at least 12 months, or possibly result in death.

Meeting the definition of disability

To satisfy the definition of disability used by Social Security, a person's disability or impairment must meet or equal the level of severity described in the Social Security listing book. This is essentially the manual that describes dozens of conditions, ranging from arthritis and high blood pressure to asthma, heart failure, and depression. Satisfying the criteria quoted in the listing book will guarantee a disability approval.

However, it is very difficult to win a disability approval based on meeting the disability criteria in the listing book. Most individuals will qualify for social security benefits another way---basically where their disabling condition is severe enough that they are unable to perform their past work while earning at least a substantial monetary amount each month. Currently the SGA amount is $900.00 before taxes. Additionally, in this process, it must be concluded that the individual is not capable of doing certain "other work".

What exactly is other work? Other work that a claimant might possibly do must be related, according to social security regulations, to several factors: a person's age, level of education, and the type of work they did in the past.

For example, a person with a 9th grade education who cannot do their past work will never be expected to perform other work that goes beyond their educational limits. And individuals with mental or affective impairments (low IQ or depression or anxiety) will not be expected to perform other work that requires detailed attention and concentration. Also, as a third example, individuals who are physically incapable of doing more than sedentary work will never be expected to perform work that requires medium (lifting 50 lbs on an occasional basis) or even light (lifting 25 lbs on an occasional basis) exertion.

Qualifying for Social Security Monthly Benefits & Past Due Benefits
To qualify for disability benefits, an individual must have paid Social Security payroll taxes over a certain length of time. An individual who has done this will be considered insured. The time frame for paying into the system varies by age. And if an individual stops working and paying Social Security taxes, they must be able to show that their disability began before their insured status ran out.

Applying for Disability
Specific criteria for disability approvals are included in the Social Security Listing of Impairments. It is important to note that a claimant's doctor should be familiar with these criteria when submitting statements on a claimant's behalf. Therefore, it is sometimes useful for a claimant to explain to a doctor just how their condition limits their daily activities.

Also, it is important to provide a full listing of all impairments, conditions, and symptoms on the application for Disability, as well as a list of all the doctors, hospitals, and clinics involved in a claimant's treatment (along with addresses and phone numbers).

Denials

It is not uncommon for a claim for SSD to be denied. In fact, it is the norm and appeals are generally required for disability benefits to be established.

Many claims, however, are denied because the patient's medical record lacks adequate documentation that fully establishes the severity of the disability. Therefore, it is essential that all information regarding continuing medical treatment be reported to social security disability.
Appealing Disability Denials
If the application for SSD is denied, do not reapply. This is a common mistake made by applicants for disability benefits. You should never reapply because new applications will simply be denied again. Instead, file an appeal. Or better yet, seek the services of a qualified disability representative who can guide your case through the disability appeals process.

It is simply a fact that represented cases have a much higher chance of winning than those that are not represented.

Fortunately, today, there are many qualified representatives who are willing to offer free consultations before they are retained. 

Additional Social Security Questions & Answers

1. A denial of Social Security Disability Benefits can be appealed
   
   
2. What social security considers as a disabling condition
   
   
3. Social Security Disability Determination Process
4. Hepatitis C on Social Security Disability Applications
5. Social security disability and how much you are allowed to earn
   
   
6. Conditions that social security will recognize as a disability
   
   
7. Adult attention deficit and disability benefits
   
   
8. Disability Status - who should you call
   
   
9. Are you permitted to work while receiving social security disability ?
   
   
10. Social security disability and why it takes so long to make a decision
11. Social security disability - will it take over a year ?
12. Social security disability and benefits for disabled children ?
13. How much can you earn under the rules for social security disability?
14. How social security decides or determines if you are disabled
15. How long will the process for social security disability be?
    
    
16. If my claim is approved for social security disability, how far back will I be paid benefits ?
    
    
17. Even more advice - Claims for SSI benefits and Social security disability