In a perfect world, a disabled individual would have all the support they need (financial, physical and emotional) to get through the difficulty. However, the world is far from perfect. Social Security Disability (SSD) is a tax-payer funded federal insurance program that provides financial support to people who are no longer able to work due to a disability or an illness.
Even if your disability or illness makes you eligible for SSD benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) can still deny your claim. Fortunately, however, an SSD denial is never the end of the road. You can still appeal your SSD denial.
Here are three tips that can help you increase the likelihood of winning your SSD appeal.
Time is of essence when filing your appeal
The Social Security Administration (SSA) will communicate the outcome of your application for benefits in writing. Once you receive this feedback, you have 60 days from the date indicated on the letter to file your appeal. It is extremely important that you prepare and submit your appeal within this time frame. Your SSD appeal will certainly be denied if you submit your appeal after the 60-day time period.
Get your paperwork right
You will be required to fill Form SSA-561 when submitting your SSD appeal. Additionally, you will be required to submit a Reconsideration Disability Report. Basically, this report corroborates your initial claim by providing additional, yet relevant, information regarding your condition. Finally, you will be required to submit an Authorization to Disclose Information to the SSA form. This form permits the SSA to access any medical records pertaining to your disability.
Submit additional medical evidence
Medical evidence plays an important role in determining the outcome of your SSD appeal. If your initial application was turned down on grounds of insufficient evidence, you will need to provide additional documentation to prove that your condition has worsened. You can discuss your condition with your doctor to see the kind of evidence you need to submit to strengthen your case.
The SSD appeal process comprises multiple steps. Find out how you can safeguard your rights and interests while appealing your denied SSD claim.
