4 Social Security Disability Myths You Should Ignore
Social Security is one of our largest government programs. Between regular retirement and disability claims, the Administration handles millions of cases per year. So, it’s no wonder that people get confused regarding various rules and procedures. But if you’ve heard any of these “facts” about Social Security Disability, we urge you not to buy into them.
“If you send requested documents on time, your case will be processed smoothly and in a timely manner”. It should work this way, and most of the time things proceed according to regulation. But because Social Security does handle so many cases, documents can get lost or loaded into the system late. Any time you send something to them, call and verify that it was received. Otherwise, your case could suffer from unnecessary delays.
“All you need is a medical opinion that says you’re disabled, and you will win your case”. While your doctor’s opinion is extremely valuable, it is not the only piece of evidence you need in order to be awarded benefits. You will need detailed documentation of physical and/or mental limitations, in order to prove that you cannot work. Make sure you gather this documentation, attend all appointments, and provide any additional information requested by Social Security.
“You have to wait 12 months before you can file for disability benefits”. This statement is a myth, even though it has some roots in a real rule regarding Disability benefits. The truth is that your disability must be either permanent or expected to last at least 12 months, in order to qualify for benefits. But you do not need to wait 12 months from the time you became disabled, before filing for benefits. You can go ahead and file now.
“Legal representation is expensive, so you have to handle your Social Security claim on your own”. This simply is not true. If your Social Security Disability claim was denied, give us a call. We can help you appeal your case, and we never collect a fee unless we win your case for you. At that point, your fee is paid out of the back payment you will receive, so that representation is accessible for everyone without your regular budget being affected.
