Applying for disability can be a daunting experience. This holds especially true if you are unsure about how good your case is. It can be a pretty nerve-wracking experience if you are unfamiliar with the process. If you have a “hidden illness” like a mental illness or chronic pain which don’t show outward signs but are equally as grueling, it can feel like you are behind the 8 ball, so to speak.
According to a disability attorney in Palm Bay Florida there are some steps you can take to prepare yourself:
1. Prepare yourself for what the judge is looking for
Judges see hundreds of cases per year and have the way they review cases down to a science. They want to see medical history, work history, and how your condition impacts your daily life, including you inability to work.
2. Gather records no matter how insignificant you believe they may be
Remember, you are not the judge or examiner in the case. You have to anticipate that they won’t see things the way you do or that they may ask you for something which you though was irrelevant. Anything and everything to do with your ailment should be documented and collected. Be overprepared – Not underprepared.
3. Practice answering questions
This may seem silly at first but the more you practice answering questions about your disability the better you will be able to articulate exactly what is happening in your life. This means your approval rate will also go up as well. Have a friend or your partner sit down and ask you questions like they are the judge. Again, it never hurts to be overprepared. There are even some very helpful preparation videos available online.
4. Know your work history
This seems like a no-brainer but if you get in there and start leaving out jobs you worked then remember them later, it may seem dishonest to the judge. You want to have the most accurate information possible. Remember, every job you’ve ever received a paycheck for has paid into Social Security on your behalf – and they have records of all of them, too.
5. Hire an Attorney
There is simply no better way to present your case than to retain the services of an attorney who specializes in this field of law. They will make sure you have everything and are prepared for the review. Furthermore, using the services of an attorney basically doubles your chances of being approved.
Your attorney only gets paid if you win your case. Also, they are capped at the amount they can make from each case, for the life of that case. An attorney can make it so much less stressful you will never have worry about being unprepared or being unsure of what is happening. This is their profession and they went to school for many years to get there. You want a professional working on your side at all times through this process. It is worth the investment.
