What to Say and Not Say to Social Security about your Disability during the SSDI Application Process
Filing to collect Social Security disability benefits can be very confusing and many applicants are denied their claims by making mistakes in their applications or during their hearings. That’s why we work so closely with our clients to present the strongest and most complete claim to Social Security for monthly disability payments for those that qualify.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when filing for benefits and some mistakes to avoid.
What To Say
The two main points to remember are to be honest and to be detailed.
In terms of your disability, it’s important that you are transparent about your medical symptoms and mental health issues, how they are affecting your social life and other daily activities, and the costs you regularly face. Talk about your medical treatments, impairments, medications, and any side effects you’ve suffered, and how these interfere with your ability to work and live daily. These facts are essential to your case.
What Not to Say
Now that we’ve covered some tips on what you should say when filing for disability benefits, it’s vital to also understand what you should avoid saying.
Don’t try to condense your symptoms or disabilities to save space or time. Provide as many details as possible about your conditions, and avoid leaving anything out in an attempt to be concise. Also, don’t be embarrassed or think that you’re overblowing the things you deal with, as this can lead to an incomplete or inaccurate picture of your situation. Remember that you can’t take up too much space describing your conditions and their effects on your life.
On the other hand, don’t try to over-exaggerate your conditions thinking it’ll get you more sympathy. While it may be tempting to play up your symptoms in the hopes of receiving more favorable treatment, this approach is unlikely to succeed. Reviewers are trained to spot exaggerations, and if they believe you are overstating your symptoms, it could raise questions about the validity of your claim.
Instead, focus on providing an honest and accurate description of your symptoms and how they impact your ability to work and live on a daily basis.
Fighting a Refusal
Don’t be disheartened if your first claim gets refused. There is the opportunity to ask Social Security to review your case again.
To begin the appeals process, you must file a request for reconsideration within 30 days. This provides you with the opportunity to provide additional information that may strengthen your case. Building an accurate case at this stage is essential and we are always here to help you at no cost out of your pocket.
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As expert attorneys specializing in helping Latinos get their monthly payments from Social Security, the legal team at Casa de la Justicia has the experience and is uniquely qualified to represent clients seeking disability benefits and representing them if their claim is denied. But our services don’t stop there. For our clients we are ready to help them with any legal issue that disrupts their lives. For us, all our clients are part of our family and we will make sure they are protected and supported during any legal crisis.
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