Advice from our Lawyers: Not
Completing
Social Security Forms Can Delay Your
Decision
If you have
already filed for Social Security Disability then you will have noticed that you
have to complete numerous forms. Although it may seem like the forms are
endless, please realize they are critically important to keeping your case
progressing through the disability evaluation process. If you delay in
completing a form it could delay the decision in your case.
You may be
wondering: Why does Social Security need all of this information? Part of the
disability evaluation process covers your medical conditions, and the
limitations you have because of your medical problems. These are explained in
detail in the Function Report form, which details your abilities to function in
your everyday life. Another part of the disability evaluation process covers
your past work history, so Work History forms dig into the details of your past
jobs.
These forms are all critical for Social Security to be able to make
their decision in your case. Not completing forms in a timely manner could delay
your case.
If you are filing on your own be sure you respond quickly to
any request to complete a form from Social Security. SSA will sometimes send you
the same form to complete again. Do not assume that since you filled it out
earlier that you do not need to complete it again. At times certain forms are
used to get an idea of how your condition has progressed over time. If you fail
to complete a form, Social Security has less information to evaluate your case
with.
For people filing with the help of a disability lawyer you should
be able to get help from the law office staff in completing your forms. Allow
the staff to help you complete the forms, they will help you maintain a
consistent message throughout your forms that helps your credibility, and they
will also ensure you do not make any statements on your forms that can harm your
chances.
How to Get More Help
We hope the information linked to from this page will help you regardless of where you are in the process. If you have a question about your disability case that you don’t find answered in the resources linked to above, then contact us here or give us a call at (800) 584-3700.
For more information on our attorneys, please visit Our Attorneys page.
For more information on Social Security Disability, please see:
Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) FAQs
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) FAQs
Social Security Disability Links
Social Security Glossary
