27 February 2015
 Categories: Law, Blog

Due to your autoimmune disorder, you are having a lot of trouble managing your full-time job and want to apply for Social Security disability benefits. You've heard that a lot of applications get turned down, however, and that appealing denials is time-consuming and difficult. This feels intimidating and you want to be sure you do things right the first time. You'll need certain types of documentation and verification of your disability; working with a lawyer can help boost your chances of your initial application being approved.

Some Reasons Applications Are Denied

More than half of all disability claims are never approved, with more than 70 percent of initial claims denied. Many appeals also are denied, after which a claimant must have at least one disability hearing before a judge in an effort to have the denial overturned. 

In cases involving autoimmune disorders, Social Security representatives know that many individuals with these conditions continue to work full-time. It's not uncommon for people with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and lupus to continue working full-time until their retirement years. The representatives want to know why your situation is different. 

Some common reasons that initial applications are denied include:

• the administration does not receive all the documentation it needs to support the claim
• the claimant is not cooperating with doctors' recommendations for treatment
• the administration determines that the person can still hold a full-time job, even if not the current job

Documentation You'll Need

Supporting your claim for benefits with various types of documentation is essential. You'll want evidence in regard to symptoms that reduce your ability to do your job effectively or to work full-time.  You should provide:

• medical reports from your doctors, including your family doctor and your specialist
• records of any hospitalizations since your symptoms began
• a list of medications you take for your disorder
• any other treatments you participate in
• a statement from your employer

Statements from work colleagues also can be helpful. Although the Social Security Administration may assume that friends and relatives will naturally support your efforts to claim disability benefits, you might want to include statements from a few of them as well. 

Concluding Thoughts

With the disability claim denial rate as high as it is, consider hiring a lawyer to help you with the process. Then you'll have peace of mind knowing you're doing everything possible to resolve your situation and begin collecting the benefits you deserve.

For more information, check out workers such as Michael P Boyley.