It is an unfortunate reality that a large portion of Oklahomans and people across the nation who seek Social Security disability benefits are denied these benefits. The reason for the denial is not because their medical issues are not sufficient enough to be approved, but because they failed to follow the proper procedures when applying. People who make mistakes on the application or during the process find themselves deprived of SSD benefits they sorely need and have to restart the process or become discouraged and quit entirely. To avoid this fate, it is wise to have legal help from the start and to follow the basic steps.
It is crucial to have all the necessary information that the Social Security Administration wants for a claim. This will include the last day the applicant worked and when the disability came about; income levels if the person is still working; how income can affect Supplemental Security Income; all the necessary medical documentation and the information therein; and a statement from a medical professional saying why the claimant cannot work.
The SSA allows applications to be filed via telephone, in person or online. Once the claim has been filed, it will be reviewed and the applicant will be asked to provide certain paperwork. Included will be a disability report, a function report and a work history report. While it might seem easy, when applicants are in the initial phase of seeking benefits is when they make common mistakes. Often, the SSA is seeking to find responses that the applicant might not realize hinder the approval.
Although the application process might appear straightforward, there are traps that people often fall into. Mistakes can be made that leave a person without benefits even if their medical issues should lead to an approval. From the beginning, having a lawyer who is aware of how to file for Social Security disability is a sound way to ensure the process goes smoothly.