Preparing for the Application Process: Information to Gather
Our best advice—before you start filling out forms and sending things off to Social Security—is to get organized.
Having everything together as you go through the application process will make this easier.
So collect all of this information in one place:
- A list of every doctor you’ve seen in the past five years. Think hard. Don’t leave anybody out. Social Security won’t know to order records from a doctor unless you list them.
- A list of the hospitals, clinics and specialists you’ve gone to for treatment. Before you put time into gathering medical records yourself, talk to a disability lawyer. It could spare you a great deal of effort.
- A list of all the medications you take. If you regularly use the same pharmacy, you can request a printout of this information from them.
- Details of any marriages, current or past. If you’ve ever been married to anyone for at least 10 years, they may also be eligible for spousal benefits. You’ll need to provide their name, Social Security number, birthday, date of marriage, city and state of marriage, or date of divorce.
- A list of every full-time job you’ve had in the last 15 years. No need to include part-time jobs or jobs you only did for a month or two. Especially if you’re over 50, this list of past jobs is important for Social Security’s decision about whether you could switch to a new line of work or not.
It’s normal to wonder if you have a good case for disability benefits. You don’t have to guess. Talk to the Alabama disability law team at The Clarkson Firm for a no-cost review of your situation.
Get My Free Consultation! »
How a Social Security Disability Lawyer Helps You Apply for Benefits
You’re not required to have a Social Security Disability lawyer to apply for benefits. But it’s a good idea.
For one thing, you don’t pay any fee for a disability attorney until you win benefits.
And your lawyer will handle the much of the legwork, lighten the load on you, and help you avoid added problems in a process that’s difficult enough to begin with.
With a skilled disability lawyer:
- You have someone to make sure your information is complete, possibly preventing delays.
- You have someone who can file your application online. You don’t even have to be there.
- You have someone to follow up with Social Security, making sure your case is on track. Sometimes you’ve got to hound Social Security to move on your application.
- You have someone to keep you on top of deadlines for submitting additional information. Social Security will ask for various bits of paperwork. Your lawyer will get the same notices and make sure it gets done.
- You have someone to provide advice about how to fill out Social Security forms.
- You have someone to respond quickly if your application is denied. You have limited time to file an appeal.
Handling it this way is better than going down to the Social Security office and applying in person.
If you do that, a Social Security employee—someone with no medical training—could take a look at you and make snap judgments about whether you seem sick enough to deserve benefits, hurting your case.
Some people also might apply on their own hoping to get approved without having to share a portion of their back benefits as an attorney fee.
But if you make mistakes because you didn’t work with a professional, you could get denied and have to file appeals. Your case will drag on longer, and you may end up needing an attorney anyway. You’ll have larger back benefits, which means a larger attorney fee.
Getting approved faster can mean you don’t pay any attorney fee. Your Clarkson disability attorney is happy to help you do that.
Whether we get a fee or not, the best feeling for us is seeing you win benefits and be able to breathe a little easier.
Contact Us Today! »Help for Every Step of Getting Disability Benefits
Are you trying to figure out if you should even try getting disability benefits? Do you need to put in an application? Have you already applied, but been turned down? Your Alabama Social Security Disability lawyer can step in at any point and help you.
How Does Social Security Disability Work? Get Answers.
Social Security Disability is a huge, complicated program that often doesn’t seem like it cares much about you and your needs. Can’t get answers to your questions? Your disability attorney from The Clarkson Firm is the one who truly cares and guides you. Talk to us.
Common Questions About SSD »
X
The information contained in the clarksonfirm.com website is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice or an offer to perform services on any subject matter. The content of this website contains general information and may not reflect current legal developments, verdicts, or settlements. Recipients of content from this site, clients, potential law firm clients, or otherwise, should not act or refrain from acting based on any content included in the site without seeking appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from an attorney licensed in the recipient’s state. The Clarkson Firm expressly disclaims all liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information or other contents of this site. The transmission of this form, in part or in whole, and/or communication with The Clarkson Firm and any of its affiliates via text, e-mail, or through this site does not constitute or create an attorney-client relationship between any client law firms, The Clarkson Firm, or any recipients. The Clarkson Firm will not share your information with any third-party marketing and sales organizations. Nothing herein is intended to represent you, nor is it intended to create an attorney-client relationship. The content of any email or SMS message sent to The Clarkson Firm or any of its employees at the email addresses or SMS numbers set forth in this website or communication messages will not create an attorney-client relationship. By clicking “submit” below, you consent to allow The Clarkson Firm to store and process the information submitted above to contact you via SMS and/or email.
