What You Can Do While You Wait

At every stage of a Social Security Disability claim, a Claimant has to wait for the Administration to do something regarding their claim. It can become very frustrating and depressing during the entire process, so it is helpful to have something to do and to realize that even though no one calls or writes to you - including your attorney, some times - the system is nevertheless working toward resolution of your claim.

Generally, there is a six month period after you initially file a claim for benefits within which Social Security should either grant or deny your claim. If you are denied and have to file an appeal (called a Request for Reconsideration), there is another six month period within which, again, Social Security should either grant or deny your claim. You may be asked for more information or to attend one or more consultative examinations during these periods, but most of the time you just have to wait which is not easy when your finances are being depleted, your family is stressed over what is going to happen and your medical condition continues to get worse or at least not much better. This can be a very difficult time for you, but there are at least three important things you can do while you wait.

#1 Keep getting the medical care you need. This is absolutely the best thing you can do because your claim needs to be documented by medical personnel and if you stop going to your doctor, there will not be the medical record you need when you need it. If your complaints and problems are not written down by your medical care providers, they either never happened or they no longer exist.

#2 If you can find some work, even part time, it is usually a good idea to take a crack at it. If you can't handle it, your inability to keep the job will help to demonstrate your inability to work. On the other hand, if it turns out for you, you can probably make more money working than you will likely ever get from Social Security anyway. And, Social Security views attempts to work in a very favorable light since it tends to remove any concerns their representatives may have about your work ethic and efforts to return to work.

#3 Take some time to read up on your medical problems on the Internet or at the library to learn more about what you can do to feel better, lessen your pain and get a little better night's sleep. And, don't forget to consider alternative medicine possibilities, such as changes in your nutrition and diet, e.g., herbal remedies, Yoga and physical exercise, even limited exercise. Sometimes renewing an old hobby helps to take your mind off of things and volunteering for your local Hospital, Retirement Home, animal shelter or other needy organizations gives you a little different focus on life generally and your own problems specifically.

And one more thing: don't call your Attorney early Monday morning to ask if he or she has heard anything since you last spoke with him or her the preceding Friday afternoon. You will get the same answer every time you call: "No, but when I do, I will let you know." In most cases, you will hear from Social Security the same time your Attorney does because Social Security sends copies of everything almost every time to both you and your Attorney, so if there is nothing in your mail box, there is nothing in your Attorney's, either. In addition, Attorneys generally do not like to get calls like this because it takes time from their day unnecessarily on something that should not be happening.

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.