Improve Your Social Security Disability Application

One of the most frequently asked Social Security disability questions is how to speed up the application process. The application process for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is long and tedious and can take up to 120 days to hear back from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Not only is the process long, but the large backlog of cases at ODAR can make any applicant feel as though they are unimportant and their claim will never get through the system. What makes matters worse is that an application can only be expedited in very rare and serious fatal forms of cancer and other terminal illnesses. Since the average claimant cannot speed up the application process, it is important to do their part by not impeding the process. This article examines the Social Security disability benefits application process and shows four ways an applicant can make sure they are doing their part in not slowing it down.

One way a claimant can make sure the application process is as efficient and effective as possible is by hiring a claimants representative or attorney who focuses his practice in Social Security disability cases to assist in their case. Hire someone who will walk you through the application process every step of the way. Unfortunately, most claimants representatives and attorneys will not want to help you make application because the process can be time consuming and is not cost effective. People that do not receive help from a claimants representative or attorney often attempt to fill out an application online by themselves. After hitting the submit button, a claimant often believes that they have completed the application process. However, a completed application consists of three items: a filled out application, Adult Disability and Work History Report, and a properly executed and delivered copy of the Authorization to Disclose form. All three items need to be completed and submitted before SSA even begins to evaluate the claim. By hiring an experienced claimants representative or Social Security disability attorney to work on your claim, you can insure that your claim is fully completed and integrated.

ONLINE APPLICATION

Another way you can prevent your claim from being unduly delayed is by making sure that SSA has a copy of your fully completed Authorization to Disclose Medical Information (Form-827). Form-827 is the medical release form that allows SSA to begin collecting information from your doctors, hospitals, or clinics that you have visited. Until SSA receives a completed Form-827, your claim will not be initiated. While your claimants representative or attorney should provide you with a Form-827 and the SSA will mail one to you after you make application, it nevertheless is a good idea to do your part and take the initiative by asking for the form yourself.

When filling out the Adult Disability and Work History Report, it is imperative that you list all of the relevant doctors that you have visited for your conditions. The local DDS will make a disability decision based upon the medical information that you provide and they collect. Often times, DDS does not collect all of your medical records and the SSA ends up seeing only a partial picture of your medical records. You must act as your own advocate and paint a complete picture for SSA to give them the best opportunity to discover why you should be adjudicated as disabled. At the same time, it is important not to confuse DDS by sending them unrelated illnesses. For example, if you have mobility issues due to lower back problems, then you should not send SSA your past eye exams. While this might seem trivial, extra records can not only confuse DDS but slow down your application.

One of the most important things you should remember so as to not impede your Social Security disability benefits application is to not ignore any letters you receive from the SSA. The SSA might ask you to fill out questionnaires or schedule appointments with doctors immediately after you have submitted your application. Make sure to fill out all of the requested information as soon as possible. Confirm appointments quickly, keep those appointments, and do everything you can to respond to SSA. By doing so, you will enable SSA to move forward with your application.

The best way to speed up the SSA application process is to not give them a reason to slow it down. Hiring an experienced claimants representative or attorney who focuses his practice on Social Security disability claims can insure that your application is fully integrated and completed. Making sure that your Form-827 is completed and sent to SSA will allow them to review your claim. Also, when filling out the Adult Disability and Work History Report it is imperative to list all of your relevant medical information. Finally, make sure you answer any questions that SSA has for you and fill out any forms or questionnaires that they send to you. Be responsive, be proactive, and be your own advocate. By doing so, you will insure that you have done everything you can to make the application process go as quickly and smoothly as possible.

Improve Your Social Security Disability Application

ONLINE APPLICATION

Social Security Numbers For Online Job Applications

As a Consultant I am constantly looking for my next contract assignment. Almost all of my job applications are filled out online. On rare occasion I will be asked for my social security number. If a company asks me to provide them with my SS number in order to apply for a job I question whether I want to work for that organization. As a Human Resource professional I am aware that the social security number is required to conduct a background check however no background check should be run until both parties show mutual interest with a strong possibility of a job offer being imminent.

Today I applied for a job with a health care organization in St. Louis, MO and they asked for my social security number when I filled out their online application. I entered: 000-00-0000 but the system wouldn't accept it. The system required that I enter a valid number so I tried 000-00-1111 but it wouldn't accept that number either. There is no reason this company should have that information up front. I will not entrust my SS number with total strangers online. What if their site is hacked? What if they run my background check without my knowledge?

ONLINE APPLICATION

I did a little research and discovered that back in the 1960's Woolworth's used to have social security #'s on their wallet inserts. The number they used was 078-05-1120 as a result the Social Security Administration has voided this number. Try using this number 078-05-1120 if they system will not accept your entry of 999-99-9999 or 000-00-0000. I highly recommend not providing your social security number or date of birth on any online job application.

If the Health Care organization in St. Louis, MO ends up hiring me I will recommend that they revise their online application process. As a Recruiter I would have a very difficult time persuading any future candidates to go through the online application process that requires them to include their social security number.

Social Security Numbers For Online Job Applications

ONLINE APPLICATION

Application Guidelines for Social Security Retirement Benefits

If you are nearing retirement age, you are likely ready to take advantage of the benefits your career has earned you. If you live in America this of course includes Social Security. But in order to insure you receive maximum benefits from this government program you need to know how the application is scored before you apply. Following the guidelines listed in this article will assist you in making the best decisions for you and your spouse when it comes to the monthly benefits you receive.

application squeegee

There are several decisions you need to make when before filling out your Social Security application. Are you going to apply early (age 62) or wait until your full retirement age (age 66)? If you are married, you must calculate if it is better to apply based on you or your spouse's earnings. When do you want your spouse to begin receiving benefits? How will your benefits be affected if you or your spouse dies? How does being divorced or widowed affect your Social Security payments? All of these questions need to be considered in advance.

APPLICATION

The first thing to understand is that your benefits will be based on your top 35 years of earnings. Recognizing that most people earn more in the last years of their career, it is quite beneficial to continue working if you can add more high earning years to your portfolio. Working just one or two more years with a high salary could substantially increase the amount of Social Security benefits you receive during retirement.

The simple answer for when to retire is to delay it as long as you can. For every year you retire early your Social Security benefit will be adjusted lower. If you retire at age 62 then you will get the maximum reduction of 25%. On the other hand, waiting until full retirement age will increase your monthly benefits by as much as 30%.

Married individuals have the option of collecting Social Security retirement benefits based on their own earnings, or they can collect half of the spouse's benefit. If both parties have worked most of their lives then this will take some planning and calculation. In short, if a spouse has earned significantly more over their career then it is likely the half benefit is more beneficial. However, it is essential to do the math before finalizing your application.

In cases of divorce, if you were married to your ex-spouse for 10 years or more and you are not currently married then you are eligible to receive up to 50% of your ex's benefits. Again you will need to calculate the advantages of this scenario, but if your spouse earned considerably more it is likely the best route to take. Note that using the ex-spouse benefit does not affect their benefits in any way.

The final topic we will discuss here is working during retirement. If you opt to collect Social Security early there is maximum earnings cap you must adhere to if you want to continue receiving benefits. However, once you reach full retirement age the earnings cap goes away. This is another reason to delay your application until full retirement. You will continue to pay Social Security taxes on your earnings, but if your earnings swell after retirement your benefits will be recalculated to include your latest contributions.

These are some simple guidelines to keep in mind when before submitting your Social Security application. The application process itself is not overly complicated, but your decisions about how you apply are very important. Those with complex histories are advised to speak with a professional before progressing with the application. Doing so could add hundreds of dollars to your monthly benefits.

Application Guidelines for Social Security Retirement Benefits

APPLICATION