Source: https://www.crazymeds.us/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/MedInfo/Denial?Denial%2525252525252525252525252525253bDenial
Timestamp: 2016-09-25 12:16:11
Document Index: 425230160

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 5', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 5']

Applying For SSDI/SSI: Part 5 What to do If You Are Denied Benefits | The Good, the Bad & the Funny of these Crazy Meds
Big View Crazymeds’ Manifesto > MedInfo > Applying For SSDI/SSI: Part 5 What to do If You Are Denied BenefitsGet Your Crazy On with Crazymeds Hoardables History
Applying For SSDI/SSI: Part 5 What to do If You Are Denied Benefits
Common Crazy Med Crap Index ‹ Part 4: The Interview & Consultative Examination | SSDI/SSI Index Table of Contents (hide)1. Try Again2. Lawyer-Up
1. Try Again
This being said, it’s very likely your SSI/SSDI claim will be initially denied, as about two-thirds of all claims for mental illness and neurological conditions are. But do not give up! The next step is the Reconsideration Process, in which they have a different set of examiners decide your case — you can submit updated documentation and an explanation as to why your denial is incorrect. If denied, they will list all sources that were used in the determination. Did they exclude one or more of your medical sources? Were the dates listed corresponding to each listed medical source correct? You need to make sure that they get ALL medical sources that you have (especially recent documentation). Were the reasons why you are not disabled incorrect? Did they overestimate your abilities? Did they undermine the severity of your impairments? This needs to be addressed in a letter for the Reconsideration Process and can serve as the basis for an appeal later. In this appeal letter, feel free to include any medication changes, changes in your condition, appointments since you last filed (with name and address). Also, feel free to refer to yourself in the third person. Be sure to file a Reconsideration appeal as soon as possible! Again, keep copies of the Reconsideration form and any letters that you write with it — you should type this letter and sign and date it. And again, send this forms “certified mail, return receipt requested.”
Note from Jerod - if you’re applying for SSDI, just get a representative now. Most people file a reconsideration themselves and 87% of all reconsiderations are denied. The attorney I hired put me in that lucky 13%. If you’re applying for SSI it’s unlikely you’ll find anyone who will take your case at this point, so you’ll have to do it yourself/have a friend or family member continue to help you.
2. Lawyer-Up
If your claim is still denied, you can then appeal before an ALJ (Administrative Law Judge), who will decide if you are disabled. If it reaches this point, you will need an experienced attorney—one who has experience dealing with mental disabilities and the SSA. Your local SSA office has a list of attorneys available to help you. You can also visit National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR) to locate an attorney in your area. You generally don’t have to pay the attorney until s/he wins---and the cost is 25% of your retroactive pay, up to a maximum of $6,000. If no back-dated benefits are awarded, the attorney will not receive a fee; nor is s/he permitted to ask you for one. The SSA has to approve your attorney and the fees that s/he charges. Once again I cannot say enough good things about NOSSCR and the attorney I found through them.
It will take about a year from your denial to get a hearing with an ALJ scheduled. If the ALJ denies your claim, there are further appeal processes you can take.
These days it may take even longer.
In some states, the Reconsideration process is eliminated completely, and instead, one can appeal directly to the ALJ. These so-called “prototype” states are Alabama, Alaska, California (the Los Angeles area), Colorado, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York (Brooklyn and Albany areas), and Pennsylvania. I have no idea what the status of this is in 2012.
Oh, and in the meantime, keep a journal of all the MEDICATIONS, you take---name, dosage, frequency, for what condition, side effects, dates started/stopped and why, med changes. Also, keep of journal of all your appointments with a name and address and your treatment regime. This way you give can a journal to your attorney when you need to. By the way, if you mention, or your medical records show, that you abuse drugs and/or alcohol, you will have a harder chances of getting benefits. This would require the use of an experienced attorney. SSA regulations specifically state that one cannot be found disabled due to drug or alcohol abuse. Now this does not mean that one cannot be found disabled if one uses drugs or alcohol. The question becomes: Which symptoms are due to the mental condition? And which symptoms are due to drug/alcohol abuse? And which symptoms/conditions would still remain if the person refrained from using drugs/alcohol? Best advice — refrain from abusing drugs/alcohol.
Keep Crazymeds on the air. Donate some spare electronic currency you have floating around The Cloud Common Crazy Med Crap Index ‹ Part 4: The Interview & Consultative Examination | SSDI/SSI Index If you have any questions about SSDI/SSI or similar issues, there’s a part of the Crazymeds forum devoted to insurance, drug prices, applying for disability, etc. Medication Costs, Insurance, Disability & Assorted Issues - It Costs How Much? with the topic Q & A On The SSDI Approval Process.
Applying For SSDI/SSI: Part 5 What to do If You Are Denied Benefits by Bryan is copyright © 2004 Author: Bryan. Date created: 24 October 2004 Last edited by: JerodPoore on: 2016–04–18
Page last modified on Monday, 18 April, 2016 at 15:53:26