How To Make Sure Your Disability Claim Is Approved The First Time It's Submitted
The process of filing for and receiving Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) benefits becomes more complicated if your initial claim is denied. To improve your odds of your claim being accepted the first time you file, work with a disability attorney from the very beginning of the process. They will make sure that your claim follows these guidelines, which improve your chances of having your benefits claim being approved.
Keeping Your Reported Income Below the Maximum Allowed
If your reported income is too high, your application for benefits will be denied. Your attorney knows how to report your income so you stay under the allowable maximum. For instance, while money received for doing temporary contract labor must be reported, monetary gifts from friends and family do not.
Making It Clear That Your Disability is Long Term
While you want to recover from your injury as quickly as possible, SSDI benefits are designed for those people who have an injury that will prevent them from working for one year or longer. Your lawyer will make sure that your application is clear, as is the supporting medical documentation, that your disability will keep you out of the workforce for at least a year. They will work with your health care providers to see that medical records reflect this, For example, should your doctor infer that a particular treatment may allow you to go back to work in less than a year, your claim for benefits may be denied.
Including All Relevant Medical Diagnostic and Treatment Information
Your benefits application may also be denied should you leave out medical information that the social security review board believes is relevant to your claim. For example, if your doctor prescribed an allergy medication that makes you drowsy and your injury is the result of an auto accident, failing to note this treatment can get your application rejected. Your lawyer will review all of your medical history and determine which doctor and hospital visits need to be reported on your benefits claim.
Indicating Compliance With All Recommended Treatment
If the reviewers notice that you failed to follow up on a recommended medical treatment, your claim can be denied. You may have had good reason to not pursue treatment, such as it was not covered by insurance or you couldn't easily get to the treatment center. Your lawyer will make sure that any reasons for not following up with a treatment option are well documented in your application.
For a disability attorney, contact a lawyer such as Bruce K Billman.
