Staying the Course during the Long Disability Process
Posted November 20, 2015 by Premier Disability Services, LLC® At Premier, we recognize how hard it is for claimants to navigate the long cycle of applications, appeals, a hearing, and in some cases more appeals. Unfortunately, this is the nature of applying for Social Security Disability benefits. While some disabled individuals will receive their benefits after a short time, the fact is that most claimants filing for benefits have a longer battle ahead of them.It is important for claimants to “stay the course” during the process of applying for Social Security Disability benefits. In other words, a claimant should remain focused on doing what they can to strengthen their case, such as maintaining consistent treatment, remaining in contact with the Social Security Administration and/or their representative, returning all required paperwork in a timely manner, and speaking with their treating physicians about submitting a supportive statement on their behalf.
In addition, it is easy for claimants to lose hope during this process and ultimately abandon their claim. Claimants should take measures to keep their spirits up as well as support their claim. For example, look for ways to lighten the burden of waiting for benefits, such as leaning on family and friends to help with housework. It is also a good idea to think about hobbies that pass the time easier and can be accomplished despite their physical and/or mental impairments.
Finally, if a claimant has appointed a representative to assist with their claim, they should lean on that representative when they are beginning to lose hope about the process. Most commonly, we find that claimants begin to feel particularly down and out when they are denied benefits or the process seems to be taking too long. From the perspective of an experienced representative, it is not uncommon for a claimant to be denied once, even two times, before they finally receive benefits. Also, an experienced representative will know the timelines for receiving a decision at each level of the process. They will be able to provide “peace of mind” to the claimant that the wait time they are experiencing is relatively normal and does not signify that something is wrong with the case. Having someone knowledgeable about the process standing in their corner can go a long way toward helping a claimant “stay the course” and continue battling for the benefits they deserve.
If you are currently navigating the difficult Social Security Disability process alone and are considering hiring a representative, please contact us free evaluation of your claim.
By: Devon Brady of Premier Disability Services, LLC®
