Free Legal Advice from Our Experts in St. Louis, MO
Is this your first time applying for Social Security benefits or filing an appeal? If so, reach out to Jeffrey Bunten, Attorney At Law, for a free claim evaluation. Our team has helped clients in St. Louis, MO, and surrounding areas in a wide array of disability law matters, including SSI for adults and children and claims related to service-connected disabilities.
Find out more about the initial application and the appeals process with the information we have gathered below.
Applying for Social Security Disability
At our firm, we're committed to being honest and upfront with you from the very beginning. If you're not sure whether you're qualified for Social Security benefits, our team will help you determine how to move forward.
In general, there are nine tips you should consider when applying for Social Security benefits:
- Understand your likelihood of success. If your physical or mental disability is severe, your condition limits your activities of daily living, your medical impairment will last longer than 12 months, or you receive a recommendation from your doctor, you should apply for Social Security disability.
- Understand that SSA only looks at your current physical and mental condition when evaluating your claim.
- Get medical evidence from your doctor. If no medical records exist to support your claim of disability, you are unlikely to be successful.
- Always get follow-up treatments. If you are not doing what your doctor is telling you to do, the Social Security Administration will most likely deny your application.
- Always keep good records. If you follow your doctor's orders and are still living with a debilitating physical or mental condition, keep pill bottles, business cards, visit records, and more.
- Be able to explain your symptoms in detail without exaggerating or minimizing them.
- List your physical restrictions. The Social Security Administration will focus on your limitations rather than your diagnosis.
- Be able to explain how your symptoms and restrictions are affecting your ability to perform daily activities, including hygiene, dressing, bathing, driving, cleaning, and more.
- Be consistent, accurate, and honest. If there are mistakes in your paperwork, your credibility will be questioned by the Social Security Administration.
Appealing Your Social Security Disability Claim
Has your recent application for benefits been denied by the Social Security Administration? It's easy to become discouraged and overwhelmed by the thought of filing an appeal.
Before you get started, let us give you a free claim evaluation. We can help you understand why your application may have been denied and how to increase your chances of success when filing for a Social Security appeal.
There are many ways to file an appeal:
- In-person. You can find the address of your local office in your denial letter. Take your letter, a list of current medications, and the names and addresses of medical providers you've seen since you last filed a claim or appeal. Before you leave, ensure you have copies of everything you submit, as well as a receipt of your appeal.
- By phone. You can call (800) 722-1213 to file a Social Security appeal. You will be sent the Disability Report — Appeal and an Authorization to Disclose Information to the Social Security Administration (SSA-827). You must complete and mail the appeal form back to the Social Security Administration. When you send your form, be sure to send it by certified mail that requests a return receipt for merchandise.
- Appeal online. You will need your denial letter to complete the form. After you complete it, be sure to print a confirmation that shows you appealed on time. You can also complete the Disability Report — Appeal form to list the names and addresses of your medical care providers and your current medications.
Your first appeal is called a Request for Reconsideration. The denial letter that you receive will let you know whether you must request a reconsideration or a hearing.
In a Request for Reconsideration, you will complete a short form. While filling out the form, write "I am disabled" when it asks for the reason why you are requesting reconsideration.
You will also need to fill out the Disability Report — Appeal form which exists to document changes in your condition, any new diagnoses, additional treatments, and changes in daily activity. Be sure to provide a list of your current medications, as well as the names and addresses of every medical care provider you've seen since you first applied.
- Other information you can include during your request includes:
- Disability Findings Workers' Compensation Judges
- Disability Findings From Insurance Carriers
- Work Attendance Records
- Poor Performance Notices
Always be sure to appeal on time. After receiving your denial letter, you will have 60 days to submit a Social Security appeal. Otherwise, you will need to start your application over.
What Is Included in Your First Social Security Appeal
What to Do During Your Second Social Security Appeal
17 out of 20 claimants will have their Request for Reconsideration denied. You will need to complete and submit the following forms:
- Request for Hearing by Administrative Law Judge (Form HA-501-U5)
- Disability Report—Appeal (Form SSA-3441-BK)
- Authorization to Disclose Information to the Social Security Administration (SSA-827)
You should consult with a Social Security lawyer before proceeding, as you will need representation during your hearing. Our law firm strongly suggests seeking assistance from a legal professional rather than representing yourself in court.
Get in touch with us today to request a free claim evaluation.
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