| Social Security, to most people, means old age and | | | | you believe you should have been granted benefits. |
| retirement benefits. However, Social security pays | | | | If you are turned down at the Reconsideration stage, |
| other benefits, one of which is disability. | | | | then go on to stage three, which is the process of |
| The procedure for collecting disability benefits can be | | | | requesting a Hearing before an Administrative Law |
| long and confusing. There are five stages to the | | | | Judge. This will normally be the only "hearing" in the |
| process. The first two can easily be performed by the | | | | entire process. All subsequent appeals are based on |
| claimant, who is the person seeking disability benefits. | | | | this hearing. Therefore, it is very important to get all the |
| The remaining three stages are best handled by an | | | | evidence in your favor "on the record". For this reason, |
| attorney. | | | | it is advisable to have an attorney at this and all |
| The Social security Act defines disability as "the inability | | | | subsequent stages. At the hearing you will testify and |
| to do any substantial gainful activity by reason of any | | | | explain why your medical problems prevent you from |
| medically determinable physical or mental impairment | | | | working. |
| which can be expected to result in death or which has | | | | Should the Administrative Law Judge deny you |
| lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous | | | | benefits, you next apply for Appeals Council Review |
| period of not less than 12 months." Medical evidence | | | | by the Social Security Administration. This is basically |
| must be presented by the claimant to support the | | | | the same as the Reconsideration stage. Should they |
| existence of a disabling condition. The Social Security | | | | deny you benefits, go to the final stage, the Court |
| Administration will give consideration to the combined | | | | system. You actually sue the Department of Health |
| effects of a claimant's impairments, including pain. | | | | & Human Services in Federal Court for your |
| To begin the process you will need a statement from | | | | benefits. |
| your doctor indicating that you are disabled in | | | | By law, no attorney's fees may be paid until the end of |
| accordance with the above definition. You are then | | | | the case. The fee must be approved by the Social |
| ready to proceed to the first stage: Application. You | | | | Security Administration and the Federal Court. The |
| can obtain an application by writing or calling any Social | | | | attorney's fees are deducted from the claimant's past |
| Security office. Their address and phone number are | | | | due benefits, so there are usually no out of pocket |
| in the blue pages of your phone book under United | | | | expenses. |
| States Government, Health & Human Services. | | | | Although this is a lengthy process, you should not give |
| Supporting medical records should be attached to your | | | | up your disability benefits if you are entitled to them. Do |
| application. Should the Social Security Administration | | | | not hesitate to contact an attorney or the Social |
| turn down your application for benefits, then the next | | | | Security Administration for information about Social |
| stage is Reconsideration. That form, likewise, may be | | | | Security Benefits. |
| obtained from Social Security. It basically asks why | | | | |