Often, people will call me about the disability application process, ask what Social Security requires, and how long the process takes. They are shocked at the number of steps involved in the Social Security Administration’s process. However, Mission Possible’s process helps simplify applying for disability benefits.
First, when you call Mission Possible Employment Services for help with your Social Security Disability case, we will do an intake. The intake meeting includes discussing your age, work history, and disabling condition. Determining if you meet the criteria for an approval. If you meet the criteria and we believe that your case should move forward, we will send you a packet, either via email or snail mail, to complete.
Our packet includes forms asking about who your medical providers are, the clinics you’ve been to, hospitalization information, medical tests you’ve had, and medications prescribed. We want to know the side effects of those medications as well. Without medical documentation or continual medical appointments, you likely don’t have a strong case. Medical evidence is the key to winning your case.
Once the packet is return with all the completed and signed documents, including release of information, representative paperwork, fee agreement and personal/medical information, the case is filed online with Social Security. When we file the cases online, we add information and laws to ensure everything is complete. Social Security will review the application after it is submitted and send a Summary of Application to you, the client, for your approval and signature. Your case does not begin at Social Security until you sign the Summary of Application and return it to Social Security.
At Social Security’s Field Office someone will check over your paperwork. They will check your earnings to see if you qualify for Social Security Disability and/or Social Security Insurance. This process can take several days or a few months depending on the workload of the field office employees.
The Field Office moves your case on to Disability Determination Services (DDS), and then it is assigned to an adjudicator. It can take up to 80 days for this assignment to happen. The adjudicator orders records, determines if there is a need for a Consultative Exam for your physical or mental health, or both. If so, they will schedule that exam and pay for it. Due to the long wait times on decisions, we can call the adjudicator to keep them up to date on your medical conditions, appointments, tests, and labs. We want them to know what is happening to you so they can order the tests/records.
After reading all your records, the adjudicator recommends a decision of approval or denial. Your case can be picked up by Quality Review who checks the work of the adjudicator. This step typically takes about 30 days. Finally, the case is sent back to the field office for a letter of denial or approval which will be sent to you.
Depending on the decision, we either celebrate or appeal your case. There are multiple steps in the appeal process. The first application step is called the Initial Application, then to a Reconsideration and finally a hearing (before a law judge). It is our goal to have your case approved at the lowest level possible. In another blog, we will discuss what happens if you are denied at the hearing level and the process beyond that step.
You are probably wondering how long the appeal process takes. Well, depending on the office and the work load it can take a long time. Patience is necessary at this point. We do all we can to help Social Security, by getting medical records, and keeping the flow of paperwork moving forward at a good pace. Cooperation with you, the client, and with your adjudicator is key. We often are complimented that we answer our phones, we respond to paperwork and are quick to help our clients’ cases move forward. We win the vast majority of our cases!
Our goal is to help you obtain the benefits you deserve and are entitled to. We try to keep the process moving so the outcome can be positive and done as quickly as Social Security allows. Please feel free to reach out to us for help with your Social Security Case. Call 866-686-7556 or email Patty@mpes.net for our services.
~Patty
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