Social Security application time: keep the forms you filled out and be consistent!
I recently came across this advice on Gather about keeping copies of all the forms Social Security asks you to fill out.
Make sure everything is consistent the whole way through all of your paperwork and conversations. Keep copies for yourself …. they do read all of the forms. That is why I am saying that you must be consistent the whole way through. It is all logged in and if you have to go before a judge he goes over all of it, too. He will actually refer to certain sections that were filled out, etc.
This is spot on! I have seen this happen …
Social Security myths: you have to wait 60 days after being denied to reapply
I hear this one with some frequency. I am meeting with a client and they tell me that someone at Social Security told them that if they want to appeal, they have to wait sixty days before starting a new claim / filing a new application.
That’s just not true.
You do not have to wait any length of time after a denial before starting a new claim. You can start a new application the same day as you receive the denial.
I think the confusion comes from the 60 day (actually 60 + 5 day) time period you have typically have to file an …
Don’t wait too long to apply for Social Security disability benefits!
My Colorado clients sometimes tell me that they waited years to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. When I ask them why, I get a number of reasons:
I did not want to appear needy.
I did not want to believe I was disabled.
I did not want to look like I was trying to scam the system.
Some people do not want to take a handout; even if this means not drawing on a benefit program they have paid into. Others do not want to label themselves as disabled because they view it as a sign that they will not get better. Some of my clients want to keep trying to work. They want to test themselves, and they feel that applying for benefits will make them look like they are giving up and Social Security will look down on them.
I respect the pride, individualism, and self-reliance that this demonstrates.
Unfortunately, waiting too long to apply for Social Security benefits can severely reduce their chances of winning.
Long Term Disability (LTD) And Social Security
Subject to Complete Defeasance has a great article about how Long Term Disability (LTD) insurance companies make you apply for Social Security benefits, including this snippet of a conversation with an insurance company:
Insurance Company : “Have you applied for Social Security disability benefits?”
You: “No.”
ICJ: “When do you plan on applying?”
You: “I don’t.”
ICJ: “Why not?”
You: “Well, I thought about that soon after my accident and talked it over with a lawyer. He said that filing a Social Security claim would be a waste of time, effort and money. Seems I don’t meet the agency’s rather stringent criteria for disability benefits, and in any event I’ll probably be back to work long before the agency rules on my claim. The money I’m getting under my disability policy will do me just fine until I’m back on the job.”
ICJ: “We disagree.”
You: “‘Scuse me?”
ICJ: “We disagree. We’ve reviewed your medical records and feel you have a good chance of getting Social Security benefits.”
Yup, long-term disability insurance companies may make you apply for Social Security as part of your contract with them.
Why? Every dollar you get from Social Security, is a dollar the LTD carrier does not have to pay.
Where can I find Social Security forms?
Are you looking for a specific Social Security form? Social Security has a page where you can find it.
You can search for a form or browse by category:
Prepare for Your Interview
Benefits Claims Supporting Forms
Medicare Prescription Drug Help Forms
Other Forms
Forms for Other Agencies
Forms You Can Complete and Submit Online
Listed below are the most frequently used appeal forms:
SSA-61 Request for Review By a Federal Reviewing Official
SSA-561-U2 Request for Reconsideration
HA-501-U5 Request for Hearing by Administrative Law Judge…
