I thought I would share some tips for SSI application process. I will do this in three seperate posts as the process has three potential decision stages. There is the initial application. The reconsideration which is the first appeal. The hearing level, which is when you go before an administrative law judge. Today I will start with the initial application. This will be specific to auto immune inflamitory diseases.
First the Social Security System is designed to be accessable to everyone. Lawyers do not get special treatment. You can do alot to help yourself through this process. There are two programs available there is SSD {social security disability} and SSI {supplemental security income}. The difference is that SSD is and entitlement program as you have paid in and are intitled to the money if disabled or reach retirement age. SSI is a poverty level program and you must meet the medical criteria and income criteria. For SSI you can not have over a certin amount of money in the bank.
1. You must be expected to be disabled for at least one year. Call and make an appointment for an intake interview at the social security office. They will look and see if you have worked long enough to apply for the SSD part if the amount of money you are expected to get is less than the SSI amount set by you state they will concurently that an SSI application. The application looks the same and you only fill out one for both programs. If you are unable to go into the office for medical reasons they can take the application over the phone. They will set a date and time for the office interview or phone interview.
2. The day of your appointment. Take your completed signed for to the office. I would bring any supporting letters from your physicians. Please take all the contact information for hospitals, labs, clinics and physicians. Make sure if you have been treated for deppression or are seeing any therapist to include that info also. If you are using any assistive device such as a wheelchair, cane or walker bring a prescription or letter stating you use an assistive device from you physician. If the condition meets their listing for presumptive eligibility the intake worker will let you know.
3. The person taking the application will not be making the decision on your case. The completed package will be forwarded to an analyst. The analyst will be collecting records and information and will make a decision on your case. That decision is then forwarded to their physician to be signed off. The record is ten sent back to your local office. You will becalled in to verify and set up payment information. In the case of SSI to verify financial eligibility.
4. Comply with all requests from the analyst. You may be sent to thier doctors for evaluation. Make sure you attend all scheduled appointments. The analysts phone information will be on the bottom of the letter. Comunicate with the analyst if you have new information. Such as hospitalizations or changes in your condition. You will be sent a questionaire. Fill it out and send it back within the ten days! A friend or family member may be also sent one. Makesure they fill it out. If you do not comply with this they make a decsion without needed information.
I hope this helps...If you want next time I will do the reconsideration process then the hearing...Stay well