COSTLY MISTAKES CLAIMANTS MAKE WITH SOCIAL SECURITY CLAIMS

Social Security disability is a complex, complicated and confusing maze of forms, rules and regulations.  Getting a disability benefit is not easy.  Here are some common costly mistakes that claimants make:

1.  Waiting too long to file a claim.  After you stop working your SSDI eligibility will eventually expire.  If you wait too long to file, you may run past your Date Last Insured and have problems.

2.  Claiming the wrong alleged onset date.  Choosing the date of application as the alleged onset date can cost you thousands of dollars in past due benefits.  Often, the date of application is not the correct date of onset.  Take your claim back as far as possible to get maximum benefits.

3.  Failing to acquire adequate medical documentation.  Disability will only be approved for claimants who have solid medical proof of disability.  This requires doctor's records and hopefully imaging studies and laboratory tests to show the exact nature and severity of your medical conditions.

4.  Failure to file a timely appeal if the claim is denied.  Denials are common.  In 2019, only about 1 in 5 claims will be approved at the application stage.  4 out of 5 claims will require an appeal and hearing before they can be paid.  After you receive a denial letter, you have only 60 days by law to file an appeal. If you wait longer, you cannot appeal but you might be able to file a new claim and start over.  This will cost you money, as some benefits will be lost.

5.  Trying to handle things yourself (pro se) without legal counsel. Self-representation can be dangerous, especially at the appeal/hearing level.  The typical claimant doesn't know Social Security rules and regulations (thousands of pages of them) and, therefore, will have difficulty proving disability according to the regulations.  This requires knowledge and skill--the work of a trained and experienced representative who knows the law and the process.  We have proven over and over that "good representation isn't expensive; it's priceless."  And our clients agree.  Just read our reviews.

6.  Completing forms or questionnaires in a sloppy, inaccurate or incomplete manner.  Each form has a purpose and while they may be tedious and time-consuming, it's important to fill out the forms completely and in accurate detail.
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The Forsythe Firm
Social Security Disability Specialists
7027 Old Madison Pike, Suite 108
Huntsville, AL 35806
CALL US:  (256) 799-0297

Serving all of North Alabama and Middle Tennessee