When the Social Security Administration (SSA) awards disability benefits, it means that the recipient of the benefits is afflicted by a medical condition which prevents the person from working. It only stands to reason, then, that a person applying for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits has most likely been unable to work, at least as much as he or she used to, for some period of time. Therefore, anyone who is considering filing an application for SSD benefits should plan ahead for any financial struggles they expect to encounter until disability benefits kick in. Some applicants wait for up to a year between being unable to work and being awarded benefits.
Start Putting Money Away Now
This is the most obvious solution. It doesn’t matter how much is put aside every week or every month, as long as something is put aside so that the basics can be sustained during a hardship. Instead of overpaying a mortgage or car payment, which is good for reducing overall interest payments, reduce payments to the minimum. Paying down interest is good, but there is usually no way to get money back after it has been paid on a loan, no matter the person’s payment history. If they need the money until disability benefits arrive, those waiting on payments will be glad that they have the funds readily available.
Also, any luxury expenses should be suspended and the savings stashed away. Movie rentals, meals away from home, unnecessary trips to shopping centers, etc, can all be put on hold until benefits arrive. It would also be a good idea to look into other forms of government assistance that they may qualify for, like food stamps.
Start Compiling Support of a Claim Now
One of the biggest reasons why first time applicants for SSD benefits are denied is because they fail to include enough evidence in support of a claim to satisfy a disability examiner’s level of scrutiny. This is why prospective SSD applicants, and even those who have already been denied for SSD coverage, should contact an experienced disability benefits attorney for help. The attorney will handle every aspect of the application or appeals process on behalf of the applicant and will ensure an application contains everything that a disability examiner would need in order to issue a favorable decision.
To make sure that an application is not rejected due to a lack of evidence, and to help the attorney who may represent the applicant, those who are thinking of applying for Social Security benefits should begin compiling evidence in support of an application right now. They should begin to request copies of their medical records from the medical providers they have had over the last few years and place them in a safe place until they are ready to start applying for benefits.
Talk to Others
While nothing supplements for good legal advice, it can be helpful for those trying to get SSD benefits to talk to those who have already gone through the process. Speaking to those who have filed for similar conditions is especially helpful. There are internet forums dedicated to the topic of SSD benefits, but participants should use with caution, as many people use these to vent their frustrations with the system instead of sharing helpful information about their personal experiences.