Insider Tips for Claiming Social Security Disability Benefits

Becoming disabled brings with it a whole pack of extra stresses and things to worry about. In the midst of medical appointments and trying to get through each day, filing a Social Security disability claim is often the last thing on a person's mind.

However, anyone who believes he or she may qualify for Social Security disability should apply immediately, as disability claims take a long time to process and benefits are paid based on the date of the application. Following are some tips for claiming Social Security disability benefits:

Applying promptly. The application process should ideally begin as soon as a patient's doctor has determined he or she is disabled. A person is considered disabled under Social Security law if he or she passes the following steps of the application process:

-- Step 1: Income. Work that brings in more than $1000 per month after appropriate deductions is considered substantial gainful activity (SGA) and disqualifies an applicant for disability benefits. Unsuccessful work attempts of up to 6 months typically don't count.

-- Step 2: Severity. An applicant must have a physical or mental medical condition that limits his or her ability to work full time. He or she must have suffered or be expected to suffer from the impairment for 12 months. Claimants with symptoms that wax and wane may still qualify if the active periods of illness keep them from working.

-- Step 3: Impairment List. The Social Security Administration keeps a list of illnesses that automatically result in being considered disabled. If your impairment does not fall under this list, you continue to Step 4.

-- Step 4: Inability to Work. At this step, the SSA considers whether the applicant is able to do any work he or she has performed in the past 15 years.

-- Step 5: Other Work Available. At this point, the SSA determines whether the applicant is able to do other work that exists in the national and local economies in significant numbers. In this part of the process, the older you are, the more likely it is that you will be found disabled.

Getting ongoing medical attention. It's a good idea to be regularly seen by a medical provider during the process. Your disability claim will be evaluated based on your medical records, so it's important to have current medical records available to substantiate your claim. Additionally, your physician will be more likely to cooperate by providing a supporting statement if he or she has seen you recently. If you lose your medical coverage before your disability claim is approved, you can try visiting a free clinic, county health department or emergency room.

Keeping meticulous records. The more information you can provide when filling out your forms, the better. It's a good idea to utilize the following practices:

-- Maintaining a diary, which will help you in providing specific examples of how your condition affects your life.

-- Complying with all medical advice from your provider, and keeping a record of doing so.

-- Keeping a detailed record of medications you take, how often you take them, reactions you may have, and any changes in medication.

-- Keep track of time spent traveling to and from your medical care provider, how many days per month you do this, and how much time you spend in the waiting room.

-- Speaking to a doctor or nurse anytime something is wrong to ensure it is entered in your medical record.

Requesting reconsideration. If the initial decision on your application is unfavorable, you can request reconsideration. Don't get discouraged -- many applications are not granted until they reach the hearing stage of the process. Your request for reconsideration must be filed within 60 days of the day you receive your denial.

Seeking legal help. A staggering number of applicants fail to properly complete their paperwork or fail to submit forms before the deadline. If you have any difficulty completing the paperwork for your application, you can seek the help of a disability lawyer, who can guide you through the process.

Looking for more information about claiming Social Security disability? Find more helpful tips for navigating the application process and choosing a Social Security attorney.