If you get sick, have a serious accident, or become unable to work because of an ongoing medical condition, don’t wait to file your Social Security claim for disability benefits!

Don’t Wait to File Your Social Security Disability Claim

We find that many people do delay in filing a disability application, for a variety of reasons. But delaying your application only works to your disadvantage by decreasing the amount of benefits you will receive if you win your case.

Why do people delay in filing? The reasons we typically hear are:

• I thought I would get better and be able to go back to work

• The paperwork process was too overwhelming

• I didn’t know how to apply

• I wasn’t sure if I would be eligible for benefits

• I didn’t have transportation to a Social Security office

• I didn’t have all the documents I needed

• I already applied once, and I was denied

• the process takes too long

• I wasn’t sure how to file an appeal when I was denied

It’s true that the process of applying for Social Security disability
benefits can be confusing and intimidating. But don’t let that stop you from getting the benefits to which you’re entitled. Just call us—we’ll be happy to guide you through the process.

Even if you think you might be able to return to work someday, you should go ahead and apply. First, you don’t know with certainty what the future holds. And second, even if you do go back to work, you may be entitled to benefits for the time you were out of work as long as it lasted at least a year.

You will be asked to provide a lot of information, gather a lot of documents, and fill out a lot of forms throughout the application process. But even if you don’t have everything that’s required, go ahead and apply. You can always provide the missing information later.

If you’re not eligible for benefits, the Social Security Administration will notify you and explain the reason why. But if you don’t apply, there’s no way to know for sure. The Administration doesn’t charge an application fee, and there’s no limit to the number of times you can apply.

You can apply by phone, in person at your local Social Security office, or online. It really doesn’t matter which method you choose. Just do whatever is most convenient for you.

If you file an application and get a denial letter, you should call us right away. We know how to file the appeal and get you through the rest of the process, all the way to a hearing in front of an administrative law judge.

The process does take a long time, but the Social Security Administration has been making a serious effort to speed up the waiting time. The Jacksonville hearing office added three new judges and several new staff attorneys in 2009. And sometimes cases are approved before they ever go in front of the judge. In other cases, judges from other states have been hearing Jacksonville claims by video teleconference.

Finally, you should call or e-mail us to get a free copy of our book, “Cutting Through the Red Tape: Top Ten Things All Florida Social Security Disability Applicants Should Know,” before you apply. The book is a quick, easy read, and it explains the application process step by step. You’ll feel more comfortable about what will be required after you read it.

And don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and call us at 904-384-8808. We’ll be happy to discuss the particulars of your case with you!

We represent clients in Jacksonville, Duval County, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Clay County, Westside, Southside, Northside, Arlington, Mandarin, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, and St. Johns County.  Our Social Security lawyers and workers' comp attorneys also represent clients in Fernandina Beach, Yulee, Callahan, Hilliard, Nassau County, Palatka, Putnam County, Lake City, Columbia County, Macclenny, Baker County, Starke, Bradford County, Vilano Beach, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, St. Johns County, Palm Coast , Flagler Beach, Flagler County,  Brunswick, Glynn County, Waycross, Ware County, Kingsland, St. Marys, Camden County, Jessup, Wayne County, Valdosta, and Lowndes County.