How To Prepare for Your SSA Interview

When you initially file for SSA benefits, either a telephone or in-person interview will be scheduled. Before you have your interview, the following items should be prepared and addressed:

#1 Make a detailed list in order of severity of ALL of your medical problems, both physical and mental. A typed list of them is best, and the more detail regarding your problems, the better. In my view, all physical problems at some point - due to frustration with your medical condition, your inability to obtain the medical care you believe you need (with or without insurance), your financial condition and the impact it has on your personal and family life - have a mental component to them. You have to be depressed, anxious, short-tempered, etc. so be sure to put that down on your list, and if serious enough, obtain medical care for it to document your behavioral problems along with your physical problems.

#2 If you have problems physically and/or mentally completing any SSA form, be sure to note that on the form. If someone has to fill it out because your hands are impaired, or you can't read or you are simply not a paper-writing person, be sure to let SSA know that - and if you are filling out a form, put that fact on it somewhere. Remember, if you don't write it down, it isn't going to be considered in evaluating your case. And, finally, some of the questions are personal and sometimes the answers to them are embarrassing, for example, that you cannot read or write or speak English, or that you have irritable bowel syndrome and occasionally have "accidents" or that you are going through a divorce, filed Bankruptcy, been fired many times from various jobs, been convicted of a crime, or were abused as a child - PUT IT ALL DOWN! These are important facts that make up your history and may be very important to your claim.

#3 Always indicate that you are willing to work and would if you could. Maybe, you have tried to find and obtain and hold a couple of jobs before finally filing for SSA Benefits. You should always do your best and try to work, and DOCUMENT YOUR FAILURES IN DOING SO. The reasons why you could not find or hold a job can become very important to your claim. For example, if you quit because you were asked to do work that was something you could not do, write it down. If you were fired because you had to take time off work periodically for medical reasons or to obtain medical care, make a note of it. And, if your job was terminated as part of a reduction-in-force, but you found out later that they simply hired someone else a week after you were let go, write it down. SSA wants to find out if you are a lazy , good for nothing deadbeat who simply wants a check from the government as opposed to someone who is legitimately unable to work. If you have been out looking for work and trying to keep working, their view of you is much different and helpful to your claim.

And remember, never, never, never, never, never, never, never give up, as Britain’s former Prime Minister Winston Churchill once said, to which I would add appeal, appeal, appeal - and appeal again!