posted
Last year, I applied for Social Security disability. Four months after submitting my application, I was granted benefits on my first try. Social Security also gave me 6 months of back pay (I had not worked for almost 1 year at that point). I hope that my experience will be encouraging as well as helpful for others who are considering applying for disability benefits.
I did the application myself, with a family member's help. But I would have sought legal counseling if my application had been denied. I filled out an on-line application over the Internet http://www.socialsecurity.gov/applyfordisability/adult.htm. I found the on-line application process to be user-friendly. It allowed me to type my answers, go back to add information and make changes. The application in-progress can be saved from one day to the next, so you can fill it out over several days or weeks.
1. BE STRATEGIC, BUT HONEST Focus on why you cannot work. Emphasize information that supports your case for disability benefits, do not volunteer information that harms your case, and do not provide irrelevant information. Do NOT make up medical conditions and symptoms you do not have. If you suffer from brain fog, you will most likely not remember untruthful information during your interview, and get caught.
For example: If you got help with completing the application, mention on the application who helped you and how.
2. FOCUS ON SYMPTOMS THAT AFFECTS YOUR ABILITY TO WORK Many Lyme patients have a long list of symptoms. Some of the symptoms affect the ability to work, while others may not. Emphasize the symptoms that are the most serious and prevent you from doing your job.
For example: In the case of knee inflammation, this is important is you are a UPS delivery person, but not that important if your job consists of sitting in front of the computer all day.
3. FOLLOW DIRECTIONS If the application asks for a brief answer, make it BRIEF. If you go beyond the space limitation, your caseworker will probably not read your answer. If you must add more information than asked for, include it in an attachment (the online application allows for additional comments at the end).
For example: In a follow-up questionnaire, Social Security asked: ``what were you able to do before your illnesses...that you cannot do today?'' and provided 11/2 line for the answer. I wrote that Lyme disease had affected every aspect of my life. But clearly this needed an attachment with a longer explanation.
4. DO NOT VOLUNTEER HARMFUL INFORMATION Do not volunteer information that could harm your case. But be honest if asked.
For example: If your spouse does not believe that you are sick, DON'T mention it unless specifically asked this question.
5. DO NOT EXAGGARATE YOUR SYMPTOMS Your caseworker looks at whether your case is believable, not whether you are the sickest person who has ever applied for disability.
For example: If you can get out of bed, you can cook. You may only be able to heat a pre-made dinner in the microwave or make toast, but that is still cooking. If asked about whether you can cook, and you can in fact cook, focus your answer on your limitations.
6. DISABILITY IS NOT AN UNEMPLOYMENT PROGRAM Your caseworker is to make a determination about whether you can work - not whether you can find a job. If you are not working, because you cannot find a job that accommodates your limitations (e.g. part-time work, frequent breaks, time off for doctor appointments), DO NOT mentioned that you have been looking for work (unless specifically asked).
For example: During my application process, my former employer offered me a part-time job, but I was too sick to work. I mentioned to Social Security, that I had turned down this job offer.
7. DON'T USE MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY Your caseworker does not have a medical degree, and will not know all the medical jargon. If you use terminology that your caseworker does not know, he or she is likely to ignore the information. Trust me, your caseworker is not going to look up the information or be impressed.
For example: If you suffer from ``encephalitis'', say ``inflammation of the brain.''
8. LYME DISEASE IS AN ACCEPTABLE CONDITION I applied for Social Security due to Lyme disease and Babesiosis. Because of cognitive problems, blurred vision and slurred speech, I was not able to perform my job. It does not matter that there is not a code for the condition of Lyme disease; many debilitating conditions do not have their own codes.
9. BE COURTEOUS When talking to your caseworker or other employees, be nice and courteous. Your caseworker is likely overworked and underpaid.
For example: After submitting my electronic application, which I had spent 14 days on, I got a call from Social Security, that they had lost it in cyberspace, and that I may have to fill out another one and resubmit. I took a deep breath and calmly asked about the problem. He agreed to continue looking, and did find it.
10. DON'T GIVE UP Applying for disability benefits can be a long and frustrating process. It takes hard work, strategy, and a certain amount of luck to be approved for benefits. Don't give up! You paid into the program while working, and are entitled to benefits when you no longer can work.
__________________________ If you have any questions about my experience with applying for disability you are welcome to drop me a note. Please note, I am not expert on disability insurance programs, and I cannot give legal counseling.
Posts: 187 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Dec 2004
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SunRa
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3559
posted
I had a similar experience last year...approved quickly, without a lawyer, and for Neurological Lyme Disease (although not approved for SSDI, just SSI, since I didnt have enough work credits...but same application process).
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