SSDRC




What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI?

How do you Win Benefits under Social Security Disability or SSI?

If I am determined disabled, how far back will Social Security pay benefits?

How do you prove your disability case if you have a mental condition?

What Can I Do to Improve My Chances of Winning Disability Benefits

Common Mistakes after Receiving a Denial of Social Security Disability or SSI Benefits

How to File for Disability - Tips for Filing

If You Get Approved For SSDI Will You Also Get Medicare?

How much does a Social Security disability attorney get paid?

Social Security Disability SSI Criteria and the Evaluation Process

How long does it take to be approved for SSI or Social Security disability?

What do you Need to Prove to Qualify for Disability Benefits?

Social Security Disability SSI and Fibromyalgia

Social Security Disability SSI and Degenerative Disc Disease

Can I Qualify For Disability and Receive Benefits based on Depression?

Answers to questions about SSD and SSI disability

What Disabilities Qualify for SSI and Social Security Disability Benefits?

Social Security Disability Status

Social Security Disability Tips — how a claim gets worked on

Social Security Disability, SSI Disability - Terms, Definitions, Concepts


After a Social Security Disability or SSI Claim has been taken and is Pending


How to prove you are disabled
and win disability benefits


 
Once your disability case has been assigned to a disability examiner (examiners make decisions on cases at the disability application and reconsideration appeal levels, but not at the disability hearing levels), you may be asked to either provide additional information or attend an examination appointment.

If you get a letter stating that you must go to an examination, this will be something known as a CE, or consultative examination. A CE is conducted by a psychologist or physician to either--

A) Provide the social security administration with information that your own records may be lacking. For example, you may have indicated on your disability application that you have depression but have never been treated for this.

OR

B) To provide recent medical records (SSA defines "recent" as within the last 90 days) that your case file is missing. Note: to be considered disabled, the social security administration must have proof that your state of disability exists as of the time that your claim is being considered. This means that the disability examiner or the disability judge must have access to current records.

Most consultative exams are short physical exams and they basically add nothing to the case credentials. They simply allow the disability examiner to make a decision on the case since the examiner is required to have recent evidence. However, sometimes a CE will be scheduled only to have an xray done, or to have either a psychiatric exam, or a memory evaluation, or even mental IQ testing conducted.

If SSA asks you to go to a CE, you should not miss the appointment. Missing the appointment will require rescheduling which will potentially adds weeks or months to your case. Also, and this is important, if you repeatedly fail to attend scheduled exam appointments or simply refuse to go, your case can be denied because you have failed to cooperate.

In addition to keeping your examination appointments, you avoid lags in the processing of your case by providing any added information that is requested by a disability examiner, such as reqarding your work history, or your ADLs, which means "activities of daily living".

Occasionally, a disability examiner will send a claimant a work history report form, or a daily activities questionaire. If you get one, complete it immediately and return it to the examiner. If you get something known as a call-in letter from the examiner, which simpy asks you to contact the examiner by phone (usually within 10 days), return the call immediately.

Continued at: Dire Need and Getting a Social Security Disability or SSI Case Speedup Up















Return to:  SSDRC, or the Questions, Answers, Tips, and Advice page












Topics and Questions


  • How Many Times Will Social Security Disability Deny You before You Get Approved?

  • Social Security Notice of Denial for a Disability Application or Appeal

  • Will The Condition You have Determine How Much You Get For Disability?

  • How Long Does It Take To Get The Results Of A Disability Hearing?

  • How Long Does It Take To Go Before A Judge For Disability Benefits?

  • Applying for disability benefits in Pennsylvania

  • Why Is It So Hard For People To Get Social Security Disability?

  • Who Do I Contact To File For Disability Benefits from the Social Security Administration?

  • Social Security Disability Requirements

  • How often does someone get disability approved in just a few months ?

  • How do you find out if a Social Security disability claim has been approved or denied ?

  • Should I get a representative for my disability claim ?

  • What If you intended an appeal of your Social Security Disability claim but missed the deadline?

  • What is the Social Security definition of disability ?

  • What is the difference between Social Security disability and SSI ?

  • If my medical condition keeps me from working will I get Social Security disability ?

  • Do you get medical healthcare benefits with Social Security disability ?

  • Social Security Disability, Medical Records, and a Person's Limitations

  • The Medical Vocational Allowance for Social Security Disability and SSI cases

  • How to Apply for Disability - Where do I go to apply for disability ?

  • When should you File for Disability benefits with the social security administration?

  • What Are the Chances of Winning an SSA Disability Appeal?

  • The Qualification Criteria for Social Security Disability and SSI

  • What Happens After You File For Disability?

  • How will Social Security find you disabled?

  • Social Security Disability, Medical Conditions and Getting Approved

  • Your Chances With SSDI Disability or SSI On the First Appeal

  • How Long Are You Given To Appeal Your Social Security Disability Denial?

  • Will a Social Security Judge give You an Immediate Decision at the Disability Hearing?

  • Question about when Social Security Disability Benefits began (date of onset)

  • Winning at a Social Security Disability Hearing

  • The Medical Requirements for Receiving Social Security Disability or SSI

  • Hiring a Qualified Disability Lawyer in Wisconsin

  • What are the Application Requirements For SSI Disability?

  • How should I prepare for a disability hearing with Social Security ?

  • Making a Request for a Disability Hearing

  • If Am Medically Disabled, Can Social Security Still Turn Me Down for Disability for Some Reason?
























    SSD and SSI are Federal Programs

    The title II Social Security Disability and title 16 SSI Disability programs operate under federal guidelines and, therefore, the program requirements--medical and non-medical--apply to all states:

    Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

    Recent approval and denial statistics for various states can be viewed here:

    Social Security Disability, SSI Approval and Denial Statistics by state

    Special Section: Disability Lawyers and unnecessary claim denials