| The decision to file for Social Security Disability is | | | | should be included. |
| often one fraught with worry. Applicants worry | | | | Why Is the Initial Application So Important? |
| about whether they'll be approved, about whether | | | | The SSA, though they're working to improve it, has |
| their application is complete, about whether they've | | | | quite a backlog of cases. If your initial application is |
| provided enough evidence, about how long it will take | | | | denied, it could take you up to 3 years of appeals |
| to get a decision, and more. For some, the Social | | | | and hearings to get a truly final answer. In their |
| Security Disability application is filed as a last ditch | | | | efforts to improve the process, the SSA is |
| effort, after a long period of struggling to survive | | | | introducing new technology that will help accelerate |
| and support themselves while disabled. Many of them | | | | approval for those who seem to qualify. Quick |
| don't have any back-up plans, and are in desperate | | | | Disability Determination (QDD) uses a predictive |
| need of the help Social Security Disability benefits will | | | | model to analyze certain elements of data within the |
| provide to them until they're well enough to work | | | | electronic claims file to identify claims where there is |
| again. In these cases, it's more important than ever | | | | a high potential that the claimant is disabled and |
| that their initial application be as strong as possible. | | | | where evidence of the person's allegations can be |
| How Can I Ensure My Social Security Disability | | | | quickly and easily obtained. The QDD was tested in |
| Application Is Strong? | | | | the Northeast in 2007, and allowed 3% of new cases |
| When you apply for SSDI or SSI disability benefits, | | | | to be completed in as few as 11 days. Arizona, New |
| the application asks about your medical condition, | | | | Jersey and North Dakota were the next to pick up |
| work and education history. All of the information will | | | | the new technology, and it's continued to be added |
| be considered as the application is reviewed and an | | | | to other states across the country. |
| initial decision is reached. There are also certain | | | | This means that if your application is complete, you |
| documents that help establish your eligibility for | | | | might be identified by the QDD and have your |
| disability around identity, in particular pay attention to | | | | application fast-tracked through the system. Without |
| the two forms that describe your medical condition | | | | a thorough application, there's no chance of this |
| and authorize disclosure of information to the SSA. In | | | | happening, and you may have to wait a significant |
| addition, document about your identity are required. | | | | amount of time for your final decision. |
| These documents include: | | | | How Can I Get Help with My Social Security Disability |
| - Birth certificate or other proof of birth | | | | Application? |
| - Naturalization papers | | | | Disability lawyers are a big help in this regard - their |
| - U.S. military discharge paper(s) | | | | experience with understanding SSDI and SSI |
| - W-2 forms(s) and/or self-employment tax returns | | | | requirements allows them to quickly identify any |
| for last year. | | | | areas of the SSDI or SSI disability application that |
| Aside from these documents, the more information | | | | might halt its progress. A disability lawyer will be able |
| you can provide about your disability, the better. If | | | | to advise applicants of what kinds of information the |
| you've kept a record or diary of your symptoms and | | | | application is missing, as well as help them work with |
| how they've affected your life, that's a valuable | | | | medical professionals to access the necessary |
| piece of evidence towards your disability, and it | | | | evidence to support their claims. |