Do non-medical records of disability help in an application for benefits?
I’m trying to help a friend get together records for an upcoming social security disability application. She has panic disorder, bipolar disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, & all that goes along with that. She’s been dealing with periods of worsening decompensation for years, & is a single mother, one of her children being autistic & receiving SSI. We want to have as much evidence as possible compiled up front to, hopefully, expedite the process. I know that medical evidence is what the decision’s primarily based on. She has tons of documentation to support that. But what about other evidence that supports the fact that she’s been unable to maintain even the most basic employment, and can’t even do things like balance a checkbook, clean her house, cook, keep up with appointments and medications? She has pertinent records from her bank, police reports of trouble she’s gotten into from her illness, records of all her belongings she’s had to sell off just to survive. Is that helpful stuff
BTW, my friend has already been seeing a psychotherpist biweekly, weekly, or more deping on how she’s doing, for nearly four years straight. She sees a psychiatrist several times a year for med checks, and is on Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Klonopin, Lamictal, Seroquel, and Ambien. They work at times, but mostly not. She already gets Medicaid for her family because her only income is a small amount of child support, her son’s SSI, and food stamps. She lives in incomepbased housing, thank God.
I would surely bring any documentation that she has with her when she applies. I have helped some low income disabled people get social security disability benefits in the past and found that every one of them got rejected on the first application. One of them had a bad heart and was not even allowed to walk to the end of the driveway to get the mail–yet didn’t immediately qualify for disability. Since you’ve said she has children, one of which is autistic, I would be careful not to present too much information about her not being able to care for herself. You don’t want the government questioning whether she can care for her children. I would hate to see the authorities pull them out of her home if they feel she can’t take care of them. If she gets denied on her first application, you can appeal that decision. Just make sure you do it before the deadline (I think it is 60 days after notification of denial) If her appeal gets denied, then you should seek the assistance of an attorney who specializes in this type of case. They all work with no upfront money, but will automatically get 25% of the initial lump sum amount she will receive if she is approved. This is all handled by the Social Security Administration–she won’t have to pay the attorney herself. (The benefits are retroactive to the first day she applied or became disabled, whichever is first) Good luck.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:23 am
I would surely bring any documentation that she has with her when she applies. I have helped some low income disabled people get social security disability benefits in the past and found that every one of them got rejected on the first application. One of them had a bad heart and was not even allowed to walk to the end of the driveway to get the mail–yet didn’t immediately qualify for disability. Since you’ve said she has children, one of which is autistic, I would be careful not to present too much information about her not being able to care for herself. You don’t want the government questioning whether she can care for her children. I would hate to see the authorities pull them out of her home if they feel she can’t take care of them. If she gets denied on her first application, you can appeal that decision. Just make sure you do it before the deadline (I think it is 60 days after notification of denial) If her appeal gets denied, then you should seek the assistance of an attorney who specializes in this type of case. They all work with no upfront money, but will automatically get 25% of the initial lump sum amount she will receive if she is approved. This is all handled by the Social Security Administration–she won’t have to pay the attorney herself. (The benefits are retroactive to the first day she applied or became disabled, whichever is first) Good luck.
References :
Personal experience
November 21st, 2009 at 8:32 am
Honey, all the documents that you mentioned will come in quite handy. If she does not have a lawyer, I would seriously consider hiring one. There are those who will help her at the time of her hearing for the disability, help her keep all the documents compiled, but also direct her to possibly a psychologist who will give a diagnosis after an extended office visit. I know she may not want to use the attorney, but he will only take a portion of the back pay and assure that she is afforded EVERY program that is to her advantage. Believe me, the attorney will become her best friend during all of this. So, it comes to the part that she will have to spend a little money (his fee) in order to get her disability established. Also, as her friend, make sure that she checks on food stamps, housing subsidy, and ANY other government programs that may be in her interest. They’re out there, you just have to search…..Good luck, and God Bless!!
References :
Personal experience.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:41 am
I definately suggest bringing as much information as possible. The therapist she has been seeing should have information for your friend to bring. In addition to current medical records, bring office visit notes from all doctor office visits, any hospital discharge paperwork if she has been hospitalized for her condition(s) and a lawyer.
References :
Someone who currently works in a disabilty claims office and 80% see people show up at hearings with NOTHING to prove their disability.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:26 am
When I filed for disability, I provided much more information than just my medical records. I wrote 2 separate 3+ page letters indicating how my disability affects me and how it affects my life. I had my close friends and family members write letters on my behalf telling how my disease has changed my life.
There is a great site available called disabilitysecrets.com I would suggest checking the site out, as it gives very helpful hints on applying for disability.
Best of luck to you and your friend.
References :
Experience