4 Resolutions to Get Social Security Benefits You Deserve in 2017

Get Social Security Benefits You Deserve

It’s a new year and that means that many people are making a lot of New Year’s resolutions. While most people will resolve to lose weight or to save money, it’s also a good time to make resolutions for your social security claim too. Now that may seem silly to some, but starting the new year with good habits can help you get a favorable decision. Here are four resolutions to make in 2017 to help your social security claim.

1. Keep getting treatment. I understand that most of the people reading this blog post hate going to the doctor. I hate going to the doctor too. It’s tough. I believe most people hate it because they fear the unknown or are worried about what news may be delivered. However, neglecting to go to the doctor can mean more issues down the road. When it comes to your social security claim, gaps in treatment can mean an unfavorable decision for your case. Simply put, medical treatment and records are among the most important factors for an individual getting their social security claim approved. Take a moment to think about social security disability in its simplest form. I know that the process is complicated, but think about what it is at its core. Simply, Social Security Disability is a program to aid individuals who have disabilities that no longer allow them to work. To prove you have a disability that prevents you from working, your medical records must show limitations in work-related activities that prevent you from seeking gainful employment for a minimum of 12 months. For that to happen, you must go see a doctor first. Further, it can’t just be once or twice. You need to have consistent treatment.
2. Keep the SSA and your attorney up to date. Many cases are lost because the client goes missing. Now, these clients do not really go missing, but rather they quit communicating with their representatives and/or social security. If you’re working with a lawyer, you need to let them know when you move, change phone numbers, and have new doctors’ appointments. There are times in a social security case where it may seem as if nothing is happening for months, but then there will be instances in which you’ll need to be contacted multiple times. It’s just the nature of how social security works. If we can’t reach you by phone or through the mail, then we are unable to properly develop your case. In recent years, we’ve made large strides in making communicating with us simple and adaptable. Of course, our clients can call us, but we also make use of an answering service after hours and we have two options for contacting us on our website. Some clients even make use of our Facebook and Twitter profiles to stay in touch with us.
3. Get organized. This is a tip all of us could stand to benefit from this year. The SSA sends out a lot of paperwork that you should keep in a safe place. There’s also a good chance your doctor sends you a lot of paperwork too. If you’re represented by a firm like Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law, you’ll receive a lot of documents from us as well. Take some time this year to organize all of your documents and records in one place, and make them easy to navigate. It can seem like a daunting task, but you’ll be glad you took the time to do it down the road.
4. Educate yourself about the process. Social Security is long and complicated. It’s also frustrating. I doubt you’ll get through the process without getting upset a few times. It’s simply the nature of the Social Security disability claims process. If you find yourself in a situation like this, don’t give up. We find that a lot of people get frustrated and then eventually quit pursuing a Social Security claim because they simply don’t understand how it works. Currently, it takes at least 12-18 months to receive a hearing date after requesting one. That does not count all of the time beforehand. That means that many claims last over two years! There are numerous reasons why, but what’s most important is that you know this is likely going to happen to you. Also, you are likely going to be denied. As a firm with over 20 years’ worth of experience, we know this impacts most of the people who file for Social Security. Knowing what to expect ahead of time will better prepare you for the rollercoaster that is the Social Security process. So, how do you prepare? There are a lot of great resources online. The SSA website is a great start, but there are other options. The Jan Dils website features a great blog and many FAQs regarding Social Security. We like to take our clients a step further, To help aid your claim, even more, request a copy of our social security how-to guide. There are both physical and electronic copies available.

If you’d like to know more about the types of services we offer, or if you’d like to talk to someone about your social security claim, call us today for a FREE consultation. Our toll-free number is 1-877-526-3457. If you’re not available to chat now, fill out this form so that we may contact you at a later time.