General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: This is very difficult to admit, but I'm facing homelessness, and I need your help. [View all]kath
(10,565 posts)You have to get all pertinent medical records, and have your doctors as well as yourself document and describe in as much detail as possible how your conditions affect your daily functioning. Your ability to FUNCTION is the most important factor in detremining your eligibility, and your functioning has to have been or expected to be significantly impaired for a period of TWELVE MONTHS.
Since the key is providing thorough documentation, mostly from your docs, an attorney really plays NO significant role in the process at the level of the initial application, and will suck up 25% of the several months worth of back benefits that you will receive at the time of approval, if you are approved. YOU are the one who will have to bird-dog your docs in terms of getting all the necessary documentation submitted. No legal expertise necessary. plus you say your docs are supportive of your application.
Worked in the system for 10 yrs, and if my spouse or I developed a significantly impairing condition, I don't think I would retain an attorney unless my initial application was denied. I respectfully disagree with the OP's ALJ friend - the process at that level is *quite* different from the initial application process (where I worked), so s/he is not likely to really know what s/he is talking about.
The reviewers care about the documentation, they don't really care about who is trying to press them into making the decision, ie an attorney. An attorney is helpful at the appeal level.
oh, and BTW, the bit about "nearly everyone is denied at the initial level" is a pervasive urban myth.
Also, some very serious conditions are "fast-tracked", now known as compassionate allowances or somesuch term. in these situations, documentation of the diagnosis alone can be enough for an allowance, without getting into details of daily functioning.
feel free to PM me.
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