Among the individuals who win Social Security disability, there are several factors that stand out. I've made of list of these outstanding features from winning claims:
1. Get your doctor's support. If your doctor will not support your disability claim, that tells you that you have a problem right away. Social Security will rely very heavily on what's in your doctor's records to judge your claim.
2. Be specific in telling Social Security why you can't work. The following are specific: I am limited to standing 20 minutes, sitting 30 minutes and lifting/carrying no more than 10 pounds. The following are non-specific: back pain, leg pain, headaches, nervous disorder and stomach trouble.
3. Provide great detail about your past work. You will be provided a form titled "Work History Report." Fill out this form in exhausting detail. Some of the questions won't seem important or won't make sense. They are important. Most claimants skip this form (and most claimants don't get paid). Get someone to help you if necessary but complete the Work History Report to ad nauseum.
4. Provide a complete list of every medical provider you have seen within 18 months. Social Security will only contact the doctors and providers you tell them about. Give them the complete name and mailing address of all your providers. WRONG: Dr. Jones, Blissville, AL. RIGHT: Dr. Seymour J. Jones, Happiness Medical Practice of the Valley, 2221 Sunshine Drive, Suite 103, Blissville, AL 35555. If you don't have any medical providers, you may have trouble getting Social Security benefits.
Consider whether you need to obtain more medical treatment before you file a disability claim. Social Security regulations require evidence of a severe and medically determinable impairment before benefits can be awarded. If there is no medical diagnostic studies and/or treatment, benefits will most likely not be available.
5. Be sure to appeal a denial within 60 days. When I file a new claim for someone I assume it will be denied because about 85 percent of them are. I assume I will have to appeal to win. And I'm usually right. Social Security will seldom get it right the first time. Don't expect them to. Appeal your claim and seriously consider hiring someone who knows how to win appeals. That means someone with extensive experience in Social Security disability appeals.
Sunday, March 22, 2020
COVID19 SCAM: YOUR BENEFIT HAS BEEN SUSPENDED
Social Security recipients across the country have reported getting fraudulent letters in the US Mail, threatening to suspend their benefits unless they paid a fee by retail gift card, internet cash, wire transfer, or other means. These recent scams are believed to be triggered by con artists trying to take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) says that they are not sending letters to anyone asking for updated information, and they certainly are not asking anyone to make a payment to keep their benefits coming. These are always scams.
The Inspector General issued a statement which says:
The Social Security Administration will never:
The Social Security Administration (SSA) says that they are not sending letters to anyone asking for updated information, and they certainly are not asking anyone to make a payment to keep their benefits coming. These are always scams.
The Inspector General issued a statement which says:
The Social Security Administration will never:
- threaten you with benefit suspension, arrest, or other legal action unless you pay a fine or fee;
- promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment;
- require payment by retail gift card, cash, wire transfer, internet currency, or prepaid debit card;
- demand secrecy from you in handling a Social Security-related problem; or
- send official letters or reports containing personally identifiable information via email.
If you receive a letter or call from someone pretending to be from Social Security, asking you to make a payment or to provide personally identifiable information, please do not respond. Under no circumstances should you send payment of any type. Social Security is NOT suspending benefit checks because of the coronovirus breakout. Social Security checks are being sent without disruption.
Do not provide your name, Social Security number, address, bank account information, credit card number or any other personal information to someone you don't know, even if they say they work for the government. In every case, this is a criminal scam by con artists trying to steal your information and your money.k
Remember, you can still call Social Security during regular business hours if you need to check on the reliability of any communication from them.
DO YOU HAVE A DISABILITY HEARING SET?
If you have a Social Security disability hearing scheduled, you should know that the cornovirus (COIVID-19) has turned the world upside down, and it will effect your disability case.
For starters, the Social Security Administration has closed all its offices indefinitely. So, you cannot walk into a Social Security office for a hearing. The same is true for federal courthouses, other federal buildings or similar places where hearings might once have been held.
The only way you might get a hearing is by telephone conference call. A judge sits in his or her office behind locked doors, while you sit at home or in your attorney's office, and talk over the telephone. The vocational witness will sit at his or her home and talk to the judge over the telephone, as well. If a medical expert is required to testify, the medical expert will be at home or in his or her office, speaking over the telephone.
No one knows how long this will last. The rule of thumb is, "It's going to get worse before it gets better." It may last 3 months, 6 months, 18 months....or longer. We don't know.
Now, here you sit, disabled with no income and needing your SSDI benefits. You're not in a position to wait months. What can you do?
You can contact Social Security (Yes, they still answer the phone), and ask what you need to do in order to take the next step. I find that most claimants in the Social Security disability process don't know what they are waiting on. They don't know what the next step is or how to get there.
It's really an especially great time to ask yourself again, "Do I really want to handle this by myself or get some help?"
I wouldn't dare answer that question for you. But I do think you owe it to yourself to ask yourself that question...and answer it.
For starters, the Social Security Administration has closed all its offices indefinitely. So, you cannot walk into a Social Security office for a hearing. The same is true for federal courthouses, other federal buildings or similar places where hearings might once have been held.
The only way you might get a hearing is by telephone conference call. A judge sits in his or her office behind locked doors, while you sit at home or in your attorney's office, and talk over the telephone. The vocational witness will sit at his or her home and talk to the judge over the telephone, as well. If a medical expert is required to testify, the medical expert will be at home or in his or her office, speaking over the telephone.
No one knows how long this will last. The rule of thumb is, "It's going to get worse before it gets better." It may last 3 months, 6 months, 18 months....or longer. We don't know.
Now, here you sit, disabled with no income and needing your SSDI benefits. You're not in a position to wait months. What can you do?
You can contact Social Security (Yes, they still answer the phone), and ask what you need to do in order to take the next step. I find that most claimants in the Social Security disability process don't know what they are waiting on. They don't know what the next step is or how to get there.
It's really an especially great time to ask yourself again, "Do I really want to handle this by myself or get some help?"
I wouldn't dare answer that question for you. But I do think you owe it to yourself to ask yourself that question...and answer it.
Friday, March 20, 2020
IS COVID-19 RUINING YOUR LIFE?
You haven't had the coronavirus (COVID-19). Chances are you never will. You don't know anyone who has had the cornovirus. Chances are you never will.
In spite of that, COVID-19 may be ruining your life.
You can't go out to eat at a restaurant. You can't go into your bank. Your kids can't go to school. The Social Security office is closed. You can't go to a movie. Your drug store may only welcome you to their drive through window. You can't get your teeth cleaned. You can't get a tooth filled or a wart removed. The courthouse isn't holding court. All government offices have shut down. You can't go to the beach. You can't attend any gathering of 25 or more people unless you can sit 6 feet away from the nearest person (I wonder who measures that).....
No one wants to be seen as doing any less than anyone else to fight the coronovirus. So everyone does more.
All of us hope these extreme efforts are successful and protects us from the virus. So far in Alabama, there have been about 75 infections and, thankfully, no deaths. (Of course, this changes daily).
It would be one thing if these measures were expected to last for a week or two. But no one knows how long it will be before all these restrictions are lifted. People talk about 3 months, 6 months, 18 months... Nobody knows.
We also hope that, when this is over, we can go back to normal. But that isn't likely. Just perhaps, the "new normal" will become permanent to some degree. It's hard to go back. Who knows how many trillion dollars all this will cost to the local, state and national economies? How long will it take a small business to recover and rebuild from being closed a few weeks or a few months? Is it possible to rebuild and recover? For many, it simply will not be an option.
Whose fault is the cornovirus? Nobody's. Who bears responsibility for the response to it? Every decision maker who gets input into the response.
The one thing we must keep out of decision making is Panic.
I suspect sociologists and historians, writing from the vantage point of the future, will look back at the coronovirus and our responses to it, as the defining events of the Twenty-First Century. For that to be true, it must have changed us more, and more permanently, than any other event of the century. I fear that may be true. I also fear that today's leaders have no idea how much our society is being changed, or for how long.
In spite of that, COVID-19 may be ruining your life.
You can't go out to eat at a restaurant. You can't go into your bank. Your kids can't go to school. The Social Security office is closed. You can't go to a movie. Your drug store may only welcome you to their drive through window. You can't get your teeth cleaned. You can't get a tooth filled or a wart removed. The courthouse isn't holding court. All government offices have shut down. You can't go to the beach. You can't attend any gathering of 25 or more people unless you can sit 6 feet away from the nearest person (I wonder who measures that).....
No one wants to be seen as doing any less than anyone else to fight the coronovirus. So everyone does more.
All of us hope these extreme efforts are successful and protects us from the virus. So far in Alabama, there have been about 75 infections and, thankfully, no deaths. (Of course, this changes daily).
It would be one thing if these measures were expected to last for a week or two. But no one knows how long it will be before all these restrictions are lifted. People talk about 3 months, 6 months, 18 months... Nobody knows.
We also hope that, when this is over, we can go back to normal. But that isn't likely. Just perhaps, the "new normal" will become permanent to some degree. It's hard to go back. Who knows how many trillion dollars all this will cost to the local, state and national economies? How long will it take a small business to recover and rebuild from being closed a few weeks or a few months? Is it possible to rebuild and recover? For many, it simply will not be an option.
Whose fault is the cornovirus? Nobody's. Who bears responsibility for the response to it? Every decision maker who gets input into the response.
The one thing we must keep out of decision making is Panic.
I suspect sociologists and historians, writing from the vantage point of the future, will look back at the coronovirus and our responses to it, as the defining events of the Twenty-First Century. For that to be true, it must have changed us more, and more permanently, than any other event of the century. I fear that may be true. I also fear that today's leaders have no idea how much our society is being changed, or for how long.
SOCIAL SECURITY IS STILL FUNCTIONING
We have had disability cases approved this week amid the Social Security office shut down and coronovirus panic.
The system is still functioning.
However, you have to work the process differently. If you need to file a new disability claim, you have 2 options:
1. Apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov
2. Find a disability attorney/advocate to help you file.
If you have an appeal hearing scheduled, call the local Social Security office and try to set up a hearing by telephone. This applies only to hearings that have already been scheduled with a date and time for the hearing.
Of course, if you have counsel, your representative will handle the details of your hearing for you.
The system is still functioning.
However, you have to work the process differently. If you need to file a new disability claim, you have 2 options:
1. Apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov
2. Find a disability attorney/advocate to help you file.
If you have an appeal hearing scheduled, call the local Social Security office and try to set up a hearing by telephone. This applies only to hearings that have already been scheduled with a date and time for the hearing.
Of course, if you have counsel, your representative will handle the details of your hearing for you.
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
OPTIONS FOR HANDLING DISABILITY CLAIMS NOW
Starting March 17, all Social Security offices are closed to the public indefinitely. You can no longer go there. Persons who already have hearings scheduled cannot go there for hearings, either.
So, what are your options if you need to file a new disability claim or if you already have a claim in process?
1. You can call Social Security and speak to the local office on the phone during regular hours.
2. You can use their online services at www.socialsecurity.gov.
3. You can try to get a disability attorney to file a claim for you, or help you with your appeal or hearing.
Our office is currently conducting hearings by telephone conference call with the judge. Claimants come to our office and we conduct the hearing from our office--with a judge in his or her office. This applies, of course, only to clients that we represent.
The coronovirus is making it difficult for everyone, in all walks of life. If you are unable to work and need to get your disability payments started, it's especially difficult to wait several more months until the virus gets contained.
Huntsville SSA Office: Call 1-866-593-0665
Decatur SSA Office: Call 1-888-289-9185
Florence SSA Office: Call 1-855-884-3407
Albertville SSA Office: Call 1-800-521-0073
___________
The Forsythe Firm is a private practice in Huntsville, AL NOT affiliated with the US Social Security Administration. This is intended as general information, not advice for any particular claim, need or situation.
So, what are your options if you need to file a new disability claim or if you already have a claim in process?
1. You can call Social Security and speak to the local office on the phone during regular hours.
2. You can use their online services at www.socialsecurity.gov.
3. You can try to get a disability attorney to file a claim for you, or help you with your appeal or hearing.
Our office is currently conducting hearings by telephone conference call with the judge. Claimants come to our office and we conduct the hearing from our office--with a judge in his or her office. This applies, of course, only to clients that we represent.
The coronovirus is making it difficult for everyone, in all walks of life. If you are unable to work and need to get your disability payments started, it's especially difficult to wait several more months until the virus gets contained.
Huntsville SSA Office: Call 1-866-593-0665
Decatur SSA Office: Call 1-888-289-9185
Florence SSA Office: Call 1-855-884-3407
Albertville SSA Office: Call 1-800-521-0073
___________
The Forsythe Firm is a private practice in Huntsville, AL NOT affiliated with the US Social Security Administration. This is intended as general information, not advice for any particular claim, need or situation.
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
WILL the CRONOVIRUS DELAY SOCIAL SECURITY CHECKS?
Will the cronovirus pandemic delay Social Security checks?
No. The government is taking steps to be sure that persons on Social Security continue to receive their payments without interruption.
While the Cronovirus is effecting nearly everything else, Social Security payments will continue on schedule. There is no need to worry.
However, individuals needing to file new disability claims, or those needing to appeal denied claims may be affected.
Social Security offices are now closed to the general public and all business must be conducted by telephone or online (www.socialsecurity.gov).
If you have been scheduled for a hearing to see if you qualify for SSDI payments, the hearing will be conducted via telephone. If you have an attorney, he or she will represent you via telephone at the hearing, also. Your attorney may choose to have you come to the attorney's office for the hearing, or you may testify from your home.
We are working every day to help claimants with disability applications and appeals. We continue to offer.....
No. The government is taking steps to be sure that persons on Social Security continue to receive their payments without interruption.
While the Cronovirus is effecting nearly everything else, Social Security payments will continue on schedule. There is no need to worry.
However, individuals needing to file new disability claims, or those needing to appeal denied claims may be affected.
Social Security offices are now closed to the general public and all business must be conducted by telephone or online (www.socialsecurity.gov).
If you have been scheduled for a hearing to see if you qualify for SSDI payments, the hearing will be conducted via telephone. If you have an attorney, he or she will represent you via telephone at the hearing, also. Your attorney may choose to have you come to the attorney's office for the hearing, or you may testify from your home.
We are working every day to help claimants with disability applications and appeals. We continue to offer.....
- Free initial consultations
- Never a fee unless you win with back pay
- Local, experienced advocates
- Free parking at our convenient Bridge Street location
THE FORSYTHE FIRM
Social Security Disability Representation
7027 Old Madison Pike, Suite 108
Huntsville, AL 35806
"Across from Bridge Street"
PHONE (256) 799-0297
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