Comments on: How to review your Social Security file before your hearing

By: How to view Social Security’s new encrypted disks | Colorado Social Security Law

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:02:16 +0000

[...] previously wrote about how to read Social Security’s (previously non-encrypted) cd disks and several articles on how to find information with the Social Security [...]

By: TomaszStasiuk

TomaszStasiuk — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 16:52:00 +0000

Going through the file is one of the first things we do with the person applying for Social Security benefits. Until you SEE what is in the file, you have NO IDEA what records SSA may have or may be missing.

Reviewing the file is a critical step in preparing a case!

It sounds like you did a great job advocating for yourself! Give yourself a pat on the back!

By: N J

N J — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:35:00 +0000

Once I slogged through the records received by SSA, I was amazed! Not only were there doctors comments that minimized my problems (which I then knew I would have to counteract with additional supportive evidence), but I discovered that the MOST CRUCIAL records had never been received or even ordered! No wonder I was turned down.

At that point I knew I needed to order the missing records myself–and the new ones from recent months–instead of relying on the SSA bureaucratic machine. A week before my hearing, I discovered the most recent records had still not been sent by the clinic. I knew I needed to strengthen my case, quick.

I called a therapist I had seen the year before from that clinic and asked her to pull and copy the records &/or provide me a letter summarizing her own knowledge of my conditions for me to hand carry into the hearing. She met me before the clinic opened to give me the letter the morning of my hearing. It was poorly written and full of inaccuracies, but it was from a “professional”. Once the judge read the letter, his whole attitude turned around, and he almost seemed to be helping me win my case! (And he had been mean and nasty the first time I appeared without counsel.)

The point is…find out what SSA knows about your case. Don’t assume:

a) they have all your records (there’s probably some missing), and
b) that your records support your case (your doctors may have acted sympathetic or supportive to your face, but written wishy-washy or dismissive comments in your file!)

And if you’re not up for all this–get an attorney or someone who is able to do this for you!

By: Don't go to your hearing with out of date medical records! | Colorado Social Security Law

Sat, 02 May 2009 22:50:45 +0000

[...] This is why you need to review your file early to figure out just what records Social Security has, what records are incomplete, and what records are just plain missing. That means you have to know how to review your file. [...]

By: TomaszStasiuk

TomaszStasiuk — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 05:27:10 +0000

Here a great way of finding your local Social Security office:

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/FOLO/fo001.jsp

By: Michael G Woods

Michael G Woods — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 00:28:05 +0000

My name is Michael Woods, I drew SSI for 13 years then was incarcerated and cannot get it started back. I have waited 1 year since applying again and cannot get a hearing. I am sick and homeless, unable to work. Can you help me? I can be reached at my brothers phone 706-624-4361 or 770-548-5455. Please give me some information. Thank you.

By: Michael G Woods

Michael G Woods — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 00:25:42 +0000

I cannot get a hearing, it has been 1 year since I applied. Now I am told to contact ODAR. I do not have a number. I am homeless and having someone look this up for me. Can you help me, I am sick and unable to work, Drew SSI for 13 years, spent 2 years in carceration and now cannot get SSI back and am sicker than I was then. I can be reached at 706-624-4361 or 770-548-5455. This is my brothers residence.Ask for Michael Woods

By: TomaszStasiuk

TomaszStasiuk — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:27:10 +0000

Here a great way of finding your local Social Security office:

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/FOLO/fo001.jsp

By: Michael G Woods

Michael G Woods — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:25:42 +0000