Applying for Social Security disability benefits can seem a little daunting at first. There is the general application that you have to fill out, and this application can be straightforward in some places while being vague in others. While the Social Security Administration is not likely out to get you, this does not mean the process of filling out this application will be simple. However, a few tips will help you have an easier time filling this application out from start to finish.
Ask Questions
Go through the application and write down all the questions that are unclear. It is important you have them all in one place, because it is not convenient to call the Social Security Administration over and over again. Their calls have very long wait times, so it is best to have all questions you need to ask for clarification in front of you when you call.
If You Are Blind
Being blind makes it difficult to fill out any print application. The last thing you want to do is allow someone from the SSA to call you up and have you dictate answers to them. This is especially problematic if the person doing the reading cannot speak clearly or speak good English. You could get the application back with all kinds of errors. In this situation, it is always best to work with a Social Security attorney like Horn & Kelley, PC Attorneys at Law to avoid making mistakes that delay the process or get you in trouble. Attorneys who specialize in filling out these applications will know how to make everything look right on the application.
What If You Do Not Know?
Frequently, when you fill out an application for disability benefits, you will run across questions that you honestly do not know the answer to at the present time. It is simply best to state, “I do not know.” It is okay to not know when you really do not know. This being said, you should know how to fill out all the basic questions: name, address, Social Security number and so on, because these are things you should pretty much have committed to memory.
Do Not Exaggerate
You might imagine it is a good idea to exaggerate your condition. However, the SSA is going to compare your answers to things your doctor has written about your condition. It goes without saying, the Social Security Administration is going to take your doctor’s view of your condition over your characterization of things. Remember, they consider your doctor to be the medical expert here, not you.
Read Every Question Carefully
Often the best way to approach filling out the disability benefits application is to read everything slowly and carefully. If you try to rush through the questions, putting forth no real thought as to what you are being asked to fill out, you may make a lot of easily avoidable mistakes. You do not want to mess up your chances to get on disability, so slowing down and reading questions carefully can help tremendously.
Conclusion
The Social Security disability application can be a long, tedious form to fill out. However, it is a necessary hoop to jump through in order to qualify for disability benefits. If you get this right the first time through, you should not have a huge headache getting on SSDI.
This article was written by Dixie Somers, a freelance writer who loves to write for business, finance, and family issues. She lives in Arizona with her husband and three beautiful daughters. You can find Dixie on Facebook.
