DON'T FORGET THE SIMPLE THINGS

I make my living practicing Social Security disability advocacy.  You would be surprised how many times I see little things that can delay or derail a Social Security disability claim.  I'd like to spend a few lines here briefly warning claimants about the "little things" that can bog down your disability claim.

Incomplete Applications or Forms.  An incomplete form leaves Social Security guessing at the information you leave blank.  They don't have time to look it up for themselves.  The answers they assume may harm your chances of getting an award.

Not Giving a True Assessment of Your Functional Capacity.  Most people over-estimate what they can do.  How long can you stand at one time?  How far can you walk without resting?  How much can you lift?  Can you do things like yard work, vacuuming, laundry, shopping?  I am amazed at what claimants sometimes write down for these questions when I know there is no way they can do the activity for as long as they are estimating.  It is important what you say here.  You must be truthful, of course.  But give answers that accurately describe actual limitations.  For example, if you can clean your house but it now takes you 2 days instead of 2 hours--that is a significant limitation that should not be answered simply, "Yes."   Explain.

Ignoring Your Work History.  At some point, a vocational rehabilitation expert will probably go over your job history.  His or her purpose is to tell Social Security if (a) you can still do any of your past work, and (b) if there are other jobs you can still do.  List all jobs you had within the past 15 years and give a detailed description of job duties, including standing, sitting, lifting, pushing/pulling, bending, reaching, crouching, crawling, kneeling, climbing, etc.  This form is called the Work History Report and it is extremely important because Social Security disability has both a medical and vocational aspect.