How Do I Apply for Social Security Disability Benefits?
At the Law Offices of Karl E. Osterhout, LLC, our Pittsburgh SSI, SSD and SSDI benefits attorneys assist disabled individuals throughout southwestern Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio and northern West Virginia secure their Social Security benefits.
Our attorneys and staff have over 50 years of combined experience and over 20,000 claims under their belt. We believe our experience, knowledge and the fact that we handle only Social Security claims make us your best choice.
For a free consultation to discuss your Social Security Disability (SSD, SSI or SSDI) claim with an experienced Pittsburgh attorney, call the Law Offices of Karl E. Osterhout, LLC, toll free at 1-866-759-7649.
How Do I File for Social Security Disability Benefits?
If you have decided to apply for Social Security Disability benefits you have two options for applying. First, you can apply by scheduling an appointment at your Social Security local district office, or you can file online.
What is the SSD application process?
An application for Social Security Disability benefits is fairly straightforward. You will be asked to provide basic information about yourself and your work history, and you will be asked to generally describe your medical problems.
Obviously, Social Security will want to know the names and addresses of doctors you have seen and hospitals where you have been treated, so it is a good idea to have this information written out before your appointment. You'll also be asked to sign the medical releases, so that Social Security can contact these medical providers and obtain their records.
After Social Security obtains the records from your medical sources, it may determine that a "consultative examination" is necessary. A consultative examination is a medical examination performed by one of the doctors chosen by Social Security. They are expected to provide additional information about your medical problems and how they affect you. Social Security is not required to schedule such an examination, but in our experience they probably do at least 50% of the time (and possibly a little more often than that depending on where you live).
One thing to keep in mind is that failure to go to the consultative examination is technically a reason to deny your case, so it is very important that you keep your appointment. If you need to postpone or cancel it, call, just like you would your own doctor, and explain why you cannot attend the examination. Social Security is usually willing to reschedule this examination if they feel that the claimant is honestly trying to cooperate.
Contrary to what is often said, we find that these reports (especially those of psychologists and psychiatrists) are usually quite helpful and, in many cases, have been the most important piece of evidence that led to a favorable decision.
As part of the application process, you may also be asked occasionally to complete various forms in which you are asked questions about your medical symptoms’ effect on your daily life. The most common forms claimants are asked to complete are the "Pain Questionnaire" and "Daily Activities Questionnaire." These forms are also generally straightforward, but we have found that they can be intimidating and confusing, especially if you're not sure what is being asked, or if you are unsure of how to respond.
For assistance in completing the application process or in filing a Social Security Disability claim, please schedule a free confidential consultation by calling us at 412-371-7217 (locally in the Pittsburgh area) or toll free at 1-866-759-7649 (outside the Pittsburgh calling area). If you prefer, you can fill out our intake form, and an experienced lawyer will contact you to schedule an appointment.
