Don’t Make These Common SSD Mistakes
| August 19th, 2019
From the day you started your first job, you’ve paid into Social Security via deductions taken out of every paycheck you’ve earned. For most people, that money is paid back to them when they retire. But some people aren’t able to work until retirement age. Instead, they suffer injuries or illnesses that prevent them from returning to work and earning a living to support themselves and their loved ones. If that happened to you, you may be eligible to get Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. SSD benefits are similar to those for retirees, but you may receive them before retirement age if a doctor rules you are unable to return to work. However, getting approved for benefits can be difficult. That’s because the Social Security Administration (SSA) has strict requirements for the claims it processes and approves. Making any of the following mistakes can put your claim in jeopardy:- Waiting too long to apply—The sooner you apply for benefits, the sooner you can start receiving money to replace your lost paychecks. In addition, waiting too long can make the SSA suspicious of your claim, and it may view your injury or illness as being pre-existing.
- Not taking medical care seriously—Whether you exaggerate or downplay your symptoms, fail to make your doctors’ appointments, or don’t participate in recommended rehabilitation programs, not taking your medical care seriously can be harmful to your claim.
