The initial stage of the Social Security Disability process involves the initial filing of your Social Security Disability application and the Social Security Administration’s review of your initial claim. In this stage of the process you will be filling out your application and providing the SSA with the documentation necessary to process your claim for Social Security Disability benefits. The Social Security office will then send your file to be reviewed for approval or denial based on the information provided in your application.
A Social Security disability initial claim can be initiated by calling the Social Security Administration ‘s toll free number, in person at your local Social Security Administration ‘s office, or online. You can file your claim over the phone and have the paperwork mailed to your home, or schedule an appointment at your local Social Security Administration office and file your claim in person.
To file online, you must be 18 years or older and have worked and paid Social Security taxes long enough and recently enough to qualify. The main advantage to filing online is you can start your disability claim immediately, and you don’t have to wait for an appointment at your local Social Security office. However, you can’t ask any questions you might have regarding the Social Security disability initial claim process. You also will not receive protective filing status. The protective filing date is the date you first contact the Social Security Administration office about filing for benefits. It can be used to establish an earlier application date than when your actual signed application is received.
After your initial claim is made, it gets forwarded to a disability examiner at Disability Determination Services. The disability examiner will request your medical records. You need to list all of your medical information with doctors’ telephone numbers and correct addresses. Your Social Security disability initial claim is approved or denied based on your medical records. You can submit your own copies of your medical records along with your application. The examiner may make their decision without receiving all of your records from outside sources, if they find that the records you sent them with your Social Security disability initial claim are sufficient enough to make a decision. The disability examiner makes their decision, which is overseen by their supervisor, along with medical and psychological consultants. It is possible the examiner may request that you receive an additional medical exam paid for by the Social Security Administration. You will receive notification in the mail, after an approval or denial is made regarding your claim.
If you are denied benefits, contact a Social Security lawyer to help you with the next step, which is to request a Reconsideration.
Last Updated on April 18, 2017 by The Orlando Law Group
