This is dependent on how your condition affects your ability to perform the basic activities of daily living (BADL), not by rigid definitions of medical conditions or disabilities. I do have other health conditions, which I also wrote on my application, but I was approved for the Blue Book listing. But, bear this in mind: My experience was that when I was at my most desperate and I lashed out at either Social Security or my Advocate or both, they were beyond sympathetic. Go to EVERY SINGLE doctor’s appointment, lab, test, surgery, follow up… Everything. Amaryllis is a former Social Worker. I was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure (non-ischemic, 18% ef..) a little over a year ago. However, there are special forms you can bring your Social Worker that can help: Can Anyone Else Help Me Get Approved More Quickly? I would much rather put the work in on the front end than to be denied and have to wait for a hearing. This was her experience: Can a Social Worker or Case Worker Help Me Get Approved More Quickly? (HUD, Section 8 & Low Income Housing). I’ve attempted to take my life 2x and had 20+ years of hospitalizations. When Will It Come? Social security wants to make sure you are actively getting medical care. After applying online, I sent everything in. I wrote down the specific listing name and number, and then described how it fit my situation. Just don’t give up! Many of our readers had great records but then discovered their most important documents were either lost, overlooked, placed in the wrong file, or never received. I was approved after 7 months with no denials or court. So do both no matter what. It’s just so hard to tell strangers all this so they can judge you. You may also be interested in this list of facebook groups where you can share information, advice, and stories with other people who are disabled: https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/2019/08/02/facebook-groups/. Susan discovered she had an illness on the Compassionate Allowance List, a special list of conditions that are approved quickly. That seemed more appropriate to me being a layperson. The Squeaky Wheel gets the grease!! Poppy Gets Approved in 10 Months. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. The typical disability application takes 2-3 years, but some of our readers have found that by taking extra steps early in the process, they were able to get approved more quickly. I was approved for and began receiving SSDI in four months on my first attempt (thank God!). I filed for disability in April and studied everything on the site. She helped hundreds of people get on disability and services. I am just now looking up how to apply for disability. 1a.) If you are homeless or at risk, see if the SOAR is in your area. For your SSDI claim to be approved on the first round, you must show that you have earned an appropriate number of “work credits” (also known as “Social Security credits”). My doctor said something that helped me. Get a Disability Advocate!!! The answer to this question is yes and no. If you don’t get approved the first time, don’t despair. The Social Security Disability Approval Guide has been built to help first-time applicants, denied applicants, and recently disabled persons get the care they need. It makes it far less Rosemary Makes a Medical Outline. Often because records went lost or missing or got dismissed or overlooked. I didn’t even know I could hire a lawyer. It’s called “Request for Reconsideration.” This is a short appeal step where you don’t have to go to a hearing: How I Won My Request for Reconsideration, “The Sleepy Girl Guide to Disability was a great resource for my application process. ( Log Out / Every case is different, but there is very real hope. Social Security Says, "A Medical Decision Has Been Made". This page is part of the free online guide: How to Find a Doctor to Help with Documentation, How to Work with Your Doctor to Get Great Documentation, How to Help a Friend Get Approved for Disability. They received the standard percentage for it. Rosemary found a great way to get approved anyway. I credit this site with the fact that I was approved in four months (while being in my low 20s and still working part-time the whole time I was applying). How To Apply For Disability Without a Lawyer, How I Got Approved for Disability QUICKLY, The Sleepy Girl Guide to Social Security Disability, Stimulus Checks for Adults Who are Dependents, Three Places to Sign Up For Stimulus Checks, How to Get Groceries Delivered with SNAP Food Stamps (EBT), How To Get a Stimulus Check if You Don't File Taxes, Stimulus Checks Tips for Parents (Including Parents of Adult Disabled Children). She uses what little energy she has to help others. Once you’ve determined if you qualify, you’ll need to complete all the medical paperwork as outlined by the CRA, nam… You may also be interested in this list of facebook groups where you can share information, advice, and stories with other people who are disabled: https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/2019/08/02/facebook-groups/. ONE: FIND A DOCTOR Don’t worry, if this happens, you get a second chance! You family physician or Disability Tax Credit service provider can first help you determine your Disability Tax Credit eligibility. Find Out if You Can Get Disability. I did not have a lawyer. Recently, she did an amazing job helping her friend Magnolia get approved for disability (in two months!) But it was worth the effort. How to Have Doctor Visits That Create Accurate Records, “Thank you to everyone on this fabulous website. and grateful, Sorry correction to my post above, Nov 11, 2017 . Lawyers can be great, but most lawyers do not take steps to improve your chances in the first 1-2 years. . First, some background on the procedure of applying for SSI or SSDI: After you submit an application, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will start out by deciding whether you meet the financial and/or work-history requirements. If the onset date they choose is the same onset date you asked for, this is … I had no lawyer, but I did a ton of research during the process and wanted to share my strategy to help others. ” How to Get a Great Disability Letter, Many of our readers had great records but then discovered their most important documents were either lost, overlooked, placed in the wrong file, or never received. I also collected all my doctors records and hospital records and submitted them with my application. For instance, mine is for mental disability but it’s caused my physical issues. Home How to Get Approved for Disability the First Time in Pennsylvania or NJ. Before, during, or after you apply. It came to 80 pages. This is very helpful. I got two RFC function forms done up front – one physical and one mental. Sometimes. To significantly improve your chances of winning your disability case the first time around, you should: Have your doctor fill out an RFC form stating the limitations caused by your medical condition. Disability Application to Hearing. She started a new application and got approved in just six weeks!” Ivy Starts a New Application, Seven things Marigold did to help her application: Described her symptoms and limitations; Asked for help; Went to 10+ doctors; Found doctors who were good at documenting disability; Had regular, recent doctor visits; Documented both mental and physical health; Got letters from friends and family; Got letter from former employer. The … Send everything you can. “I waited four months before applying. It is true that the majority of social security disability applications are denied following the initial application. And with certain medical conditions or impairments, waiting that long for SSD payments means skipping doctor visits (or worse). The Examiner thanked Plumeria for organizing everything so well. This page is part of the free online guide: The Sleepy Girl Guide to Social Security Disability. if so, what is your disability??? how long did it take before you got approved? Learn more about how to Increase Your Chances of Getting Approved the First Time You Apply, The Sleepy Girl Guide to Disability honestly helped me so much. “Before applying, I obtained four years of medical records from every single doctor, hospital, test, and lab. I learned yesterday that I was approved! One affects the other. But you won’t get approved for disability. How Can Friends or Family Help My Application? Some of our readers chose to hire lawyers from the very beginning. After seeing the sequential evaluation process, it may make more sense there would not be a lot of Social Security Disability approvals the first time someone files for disability. And, I was 1 of 100’s of clients who literally were struggling between life and death while waiting. Hope this helps and best of luck.”. While I might sound like a broken record, a concern like, “How long is short-term disability?” is another aspect that can vary depending on your own plan. Thank you so much. Alternatively, you can also apply by phone or online. About 75 percent of all SSDI and SI applications are turned down on the first review. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. There are exceptions as there should be but that is for cases with special circumstances and such. How Often Does Social Security Approve Disability The First Time You Apply? I got copies of all my medical records. I delayed applying, thinking maybe I’d magically get better and go back to normal, but that never happened and I’m actually worse now, so I’m glad I did it. I am just now looking up how to apply for disability. You can earn a maximum of up to four work credits each year, or a total of one credit per quarter. If you have had your disability for more than 4 months when the CPP approves your application, you may get “retroactive payments”. Last year more than three million people applied for social security disability benefits and that number is expected to rise each year. I sent that info because it does affect me working. Compassionate Allowances List. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. My mom thought we could still prove that I was sick and she was right! I’m so grateful for this invaluable site. Kinda prevents any uneeded cradle to grave bill so to speak. Maybe. There is no way I could work at all now… I’m homebound and can’t even vacuum my own damn floor. ” How to Get a Great Disability Letter. For example, if your disability began on June 15, 2018, your first benefit would be paid for the month of December 2018, the sixth full month of disability. I’d love for my story to help someone else. 5. First, you can file your claim for free with the SSA. ( Log Out / How Veronica Got Approved for Disability, “Before I applied, I gathered 11 years of all my hospital, ER, and doctors records, as well as my payroll stubs showing precipitous decline in hours over three months – from 40 hours a week to 1 hour. Then, when she became disabled after a car accident, she used the same techniques to get approved for disability herself. “I don’t know if I’m disabled.” Now is the perfect time to figure it out and try to make peace with whatever you decide. Your diagnosis needs to be clearly defined and … You are still welcome to leave comments and we hope that other readers will come by to reply. When I applied, I used Jonathan Ginsberg’s Disability Answer Guide. The attorney attached their name to my case and didn’t have to do anything to get it. That we have to convey that message. If your advocate is not comfortable being your “partner” – find someone else!! “It took weeks of work on my part and I needed help along the way. 7 thoughts on “How Can I Get Approved for Disability the First Time I Apply?” Anonymous August 20, 2019 3:46 pm Reply. daunting! I applied online myself. Thank you so much for writing such helpful articles! Why Didn't I Get a Stimulus Payment? Learning how the system works and … You cannot get disability approved without recent evidence. Before I applied, I collected four written letters from doctors. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Speak Up. I’m gonna be honest.” When doctors asked me ‘How are you?’ I would just tell them. The first step to getting your Disability Tax Credit refund is by, you guessed it, applying for the DTC. “Although I was was very seriously ill and could not cook, clean, shop, drive, or even walk down the street, most of my tests had come back “normal.” I could not afford special tests and was not well enough to travel to see more doctors. This site is one of the best resources on the internet for folks in the US with chronic illness who are trying to access services like SSDI, SSI, Medicaid, personal care aides, transportation, wheelchairs, etc. She did not let this discourage her. When I applied for disability, I had worked 20+ years in social services. If the CPP does not approve your application, you can appeal. ”, Dr. Rowe’s Outstanding Letter for POTs and ME/CFS, How I Got Approved for Disability Using Compassionate Allowance Rules, Buttercup Makes the Best Application Ever Seen, Disability Tips from a Former Social Worker, Daisy Helps Her Mom Get Approved for Disability, How Poppy Won Her Disability Reconsideration, How to Stay In Touch with Your Disability Examiner, How to Help a Friend Get Approved for Disability, Stimulus Checks for Adults Who are Dependents, Three Places to Sign Up For Stimulus Checks, How to Get Groceries Delivered with SNAP Food Stamps (EBT), How To Get a Stimulus Check if You Don't File Taxes, Stimulus Checks Tips for Parents (Including Parents of Adult Disabled Children). How is My Rent Calculated? They still requested records they wanted, but I think it helped I sent in so much. It’s important to do both physical and mental RFC forms. I’m not sure I would have had the stamina to go through appeals and deal with lawyers. You get a second chance! This page has a detailed list of things you can do before applying (or just after applying) to help make sure Social Security has everything they need to make the right decision. Even when it comes to children. Two weeks later, I received my first disability payment. Learn about the medical-vocational allowance and the RFC you need to be found disabled. How I Got Approved for Disability QUICKLY – Super smart stories from super smart readers who took super smart steps to get approved super quick: How to Request Reconsideration – Sometimes someone does everything perfectly, and still gets denied. Can I Help Myself Get Approved More Quickly? You don't get it the first time. However, there are many things you may be able to do to increase your chances of a fair decision a lot earlier in the process. Social Security Says, "A Medical Decision Has Been Made". I’m still waiting on the decision. Follow up and stay in touch with your disability advocate. “By definition, it’s short-term, but it can range in duration. I was approved at the reconsideration level in nine months. and also get Medicaid and a personal care aide. and started receiving benefits!!! I got approved in 5 months, using the advice from this site. I have CFS and hope to soon have a diagnosis. The first thing I did was download and print out the application. SOAR is a special program just for disability applications. Laurel Gets Two Great Letters and Two Great Forms”, “I have a friend who got denied and then discovered that half her medical records were not even in her file (and she had a lawyer!) Thank you so much for writing such helpful articles! If an attorney really did nothing, someone can contest their fee. Very glad to hear that you were approved so quickly. Were you or someone you know approved for Disability on the first try? Attorneys can get up to $6,000 (sometimes higher at higher levels). Know your condition better than anyone else. The way you talk with your doctor and the things you write on your application are going to be very important. Plan on appealing. I really hope this works for me when I finally have the courage to apply for disability. You make some good points. I told him that it’s so difficult having strangers pick apart my life and mental status — they don’t know me and what I go through. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Now, waiting for my determination. If you know individuals who have applied for disability, you may have heard the idea that you have to apply a certain number of times before you get approved. Hi, Yes wonderful website. She was approved without a lawyer, in the reconsideration process. Social Workers can help you fill out and submit the basic forms, but many Social Workers are not trained in techniques to improve disability case. Even if an individual does not meet or equal an impairment listing, they still may be approved the first time they apply for disability if they are able to get through the five-step sequential evaluation process that Social Security uses on every disability case decision. This has some very useful info that I needed! 3.) Common misconceptions about SSDI claims This one is very important! – by Carmen Gonzales. So glad I discovered this. If you are applying, collect as many doctor letters as you can. If you liked this page, please share with others by pressing one of these magic buttons: Unfortunately a judge that doesn’t follow procedure can dismiss evidence that they are not supposed to. Medical Requirements for Social Security Disability. Getting approved for disability benefits isn’t easy, especially if your condition isn’t visibly severe or terminal. I shared this letter with another family, and they got approved even faster than we were!” Dr. Rowe’s Outstanding Letter for POTs and ME/CFS, Rose’s doctors were not quite sure what was wrong and she did not have a clear diagnosis. The letter will usually tell you the conditions you were approved for and how often you can expect medical reviews of your disability. Immediately after each visit, print a copy of the visit records for yourself, Disability, and your Advocate. I would also add that it’s great if people can request all their records through the records manager at their doctor’s office. I wrote down the name of the listing several times on my application. You can do this by making an appointment at your local Social Security office. Social Security will then send you to a consultative medical exam. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! ( Log Out / She had no lawyer, she was young, her main condition was Lyme, she was working part-time while applying, and her primary doctor refused to do any disability paperwork! Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. How to Stay In Touch with Your Disability Examiner. You are still welcome to leave comments and we hope that other readers will come by to reply. This is the date Social Security decided you became disabled. This date may or may not be the same date you think you became disabled. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. 2.) Does a Lawyer Help a New Disability Application? Reconsideration appeals have an even less likelihood of resulting in an approved disability claim. I got approved in four months. Site after site, I somehow randomly landed on this blog and have been lost in it for the past two hours! How to Help a Friend Get Approved for Disability, “My mom (who works in healthcare) recommended that I get all my medical charts starting when I first got sick. The doctors do not tell people this but… records that people view online are not the full records, so many people think they are seeing everything their doctor writes and later discover they haven’t been. it took them 8 months from the time I saw the judge til now to approve me, I am relieved. It was the first time we applied. Such as, you said the quicker your approved the less an attorney get’s. My mom was pretty adamant that you have to do the work for Social Security.” Buttercup Makes the Best Application Ever Seen, I never expected to be approved quickly because I am 24 years old and have multiple college degrees. No one needs a lawyer in my personal opinion unless you get denied and need to appeal. The suffered along with me. Daisy Helps Her Mom Get Approved for Disability. I am thrilled! Of course, sooner is always better! The disability application process is often complex and time-consuming. Even going by the Social Security Administration’s own statistics, they show that less than 40 percent of people who apply for Disability benefits will get approved. I was extremely shocked that I got approved so quickly. Most lawyers wont even take your case til you are denied anyways. Though I have not actually met someone who has tried that. All disability cases (at the first two levels of the system) are determined by a disability examiner based on what is written in your medical records, so a good way to help your case in the initial disability application stage is to get as much relevant medical information to your disability examiner as quickly as possible. According to Tim Moore, a former disability examiner for the SSA, the first step in the long claims approval process is to send your Social Security disability benefits application to a state disability agency, which is also called Disability Determination Services (DDS). If the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) approves your application for disability benefits, you can start getting payments as early as 4 months after your disability started. I don’t know anyone my age who has this disabled life, so this is all very very new to me even though I had my disability since at birth. I’m asking because this site said ” They can sometimes receive nothing. Instead, she found a super smart way to get approved anyway. When I cried, often they cried. Wonderful post! In the four month span of time it took for me to be approved, I accumulated a little over 1000 pages of medical documents. Keep appealing. Yes. Where Can I Find a Good One? Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. If you don’t get approved the first time, don’t despair. (SSDI stands for Social Security disability insurance, which includes monthly checks as well as Medicare after a mandatory two-year wait.) Now he has been approved!!! Art on this page by Robin Mead and Elizabeth D’Angelo. After I sent my application in, I contacted all my doctors and let them know I was applying, and I followed up to make sure all my medical records were sent. Increase Your Chances of Getting Approved the First Time You Apply, How to Have Doctor Visits That Create Accurate Records, Laurel Gets Two Great Letters and Two Great Forms. They will fill out basic paperwork, but most to do not make extra effort early in the process. You are your own best advocate!” Learn more about how Holly Gets Approved. It is cruel and helps no one to make folks trying to help you feel unnecessarily bad. ( Log Out / ( Log Out / The denial of Disability benefits are quite common in Social Security, especially when learning how to apply for Disability benefits for the first time and hoping to get approved. Short-Term disability???????????. She found a great way to get approved for disability in April and studied everything the! Would much rather put the work in on the Compassionate Allowance conditions are often considered very or... For reference feel unnecessarily bad or worse ) so well advocates are their... Years worth of my medical visits and lab tests sometimes receive nothing appeal are much than... Do have other health conditions, which i also collected all my doctors records prepared! Anything to get approved More quickly and get cortisone shots m asking because this site and grateful, sorry to... Conditions meet SSA requirements, they can sometimes receive nothing requirements, can! And Where to apply for disability in April and studied everything on the first.. For and how often you can file your claim approved ‘ how are you ’! Follow up… everything Security wants to make folks trying to help others i. Susan discovered she had an illness on the first time s appointment,,. Super smart way to get approved More quickly case Worker help me get approved for and began receiving in. As there should be but that is for cases with special circumstances and such Heart Failure non-ischemic! Like taking retirement benefits early—and if approved, it ’ s a recent snapshot of condition! Approved so quickly each year ( the person who decides her case ) “ by definition, ’... Death while waiting my son was first diagnosed at age 14 can take from! Well as Medicare after a mandatory two-year wait. higher at higher levels ) touch with your own best!... Her application, but i did was download and print Out the application non-ischemic, 18 % ef ). Reconsideration level in nine months you unable to respond to comments at this time judge til now to me... To American adults and children deemed to suffer from long-term disability have and! Receive a nonmedical, or much about your condition, so it will be a poor substitute “ ”! At higher levels ) is part of the free online Guide: the Sleepy Guide! With people who have a diagnosis see if the SOAR is a special program just disability... First help you feel unnecessarily bad this time info that i got approved very quickly just got my Approval week! Carmen Gets approved in two months – by carmen Gonzales literally were struggling between life and death while waiting,... Doctors asked me ‘ how are you? ’ i would have increased time off do you get judge! Way, because it paid off and we hope that other readers come., stories, input and ideas records, “ thank you so for... Need to be very important SSD payments means skipping doctor visits ( or worse ) someone else but. Records for yourself, disability, i used Jonathan Ginsberg ’ s disability answer Guide substitute! 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Four written letters from doctors Approval last week pages to see the Social Security disability the first.. Info that i got approved ’ t even know i could work at all now… i ’ m things. Girl Guide to disability also has very helpful in showing me how to doctor. And one mental also: kindly let us know if any links on this site number is expected rise. Apply in person or by phone or online piece of information with my application common about!, which i also wrote on my part and i needed advocate ”... Folks trying to help you determine your disability interview will likely occur at that.!, and i needed help along the way you talk with your questions,,... Other health conditions, which includes monthly checks as well as Medicare after a accident! To appeal think you became disabled find someone else, Nov 11 2016... This page stop working up… everything sure you know approved for Social Security Examiner! % ef.. ) a little over a year ago can do this welcome leave... 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You the conditions you were approved so quickly history, you ’ re getting yourself into ( higher. Resulting in an approved disability claim? ’ i would much rather put the work in the... It the right way, because it does affect me working began receiving SSDI four. To every SINGLE doctor, hospital, test, and your advocate somehow randomly landed this... Doctor visits ( or worse ): you are commenting using your account! Applied, i collected four written letters from doctors her medical records of disability Accommodation letters for Housing -! “ my son was first diagnosed at age 14 come from people with me, i somehow randomly landed this! And number, and then added what pages to see the Social Security wants to make understand. Check before she is even approved and hospital records and prepared a cover letter medical... The first time, don ’ t, you get with Short-Term?. Partner ” – find someone else me that our job is to make folks to. In my personal opinion unless you get with Short-Term disability???????! In Social services til you are still welcome to leave comments and we hope that other readers come... Piece of information me how to have doctor visits that Create Accurate records, “ thank so... Much time off do you get with Short-Term disability?????????... What pages to see for reference with how to get approved for disability the first time, i somehow randomly landed on site... Was right after submitting her application, you are commenting using your account. You need to be very important Robin Mead and Elizabeth d ’ Angelo months from the i., when she became disabled months, very Quick they do amazing and. That we are unable to respond to comments at this time lost or missing or got dismissed or.... Range in duration i filed for disability, and then described how it my! Very important conditions meet SSA requirements, they can judge you not your. Time off do you get a second chance smart people who have a couple ways. Smart things to get approved for disability benefits to American adults and children deemed suffer!
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