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Friday, December 17, 2010

3 Tips for a Speedy Disability Benefits Claims Process

After filing the application form for either the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or the Supplemental Security income (SSI) benefits for the disabled, the claimant would have to wait several weeks to know whether their claim has been granted or not.

Because of this, their much needed benefits are delayed and financial problems may arise.

There are several ways to speed up the initial determination process. Here are some of them:

• Obtain and submit copies of your full medical records showing your disability

It will be faster if the examiner will have a copy of your medical records readily attached with your application form. This way, they won’t have to request and wait for the records from your physician. Remember to submit only copies of your medical records as it might be lost as your application is being transferred and processed in different departments.

• Contact DDS and not the SSA

The Disability Determination Services should be contacted by the claimant if in case he has any questions regarding his claims. Calling the SSA non-stop would be futile as they don’t have accurate and regular updated for each claim handled by a DDS examiner.

• Disclose Vital information

During interviews, claimants must inform the examiner of the full extent of his condition. These claimants must never assume that the examiner will be aware of his condition and how worse it can get. They must always provide accurate description when detailing their medical condition.

Are representatives needed?

During the initial stage of the claim, these lawyers and non-legal representatives are not needed as they have little to do with your case. However, once your claim has been denied, it is important to have these representatives assess your case and determine why it has been rejected.

After doing so, they will help you in filing appeal and can guide you through the appeals process. Their years of experience have taught them how appeals should be handled and what the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) needs to hear from the claimant.