If you are in the process of applying for social security disability benefits, make sure that you avoid the common mistakes outlined below that many applicants make. 

#1 Not Getting Help Right Away

Filing for social security disability benefits is not as simple as filing out a few forms and quickly getting approved. It is a multiple-step process where you have to prove how much money you were making, prove that your disability fits the qualifications and prove that you meet all other criteria as well. Many people make the mistake of not asking for help until their application has been rejected. 

You are going to have to fill out multiple rounds of paperwork, and it will be on you to make sure that everything is received and correctly added to your case file. It can be a tremendous benefit to have someone on your side who understands exactly how the filing process works, and can help ensure that nothing falls through the cracks. 

An attorney who specializes in social security disability cases like Espy Metcalf & Espy PC At Law is a great asset to have from the very start. Your attorney can ensure that your case starts and ends strongly. As soon as you know that you will be filing for social security disability benefits, you should find an attorney to assist you with the process.

#2 Failing To Meet Deadlines

The second mistake that many applicants make is failing to meet the deadlines that the Social Security Administration sets for them. It is vitally important that you take these deadlines seriously. As soon as you are notified that additional documentation is needed, you should do everything you can to get that document together and send it off immediately. 

When you send it off ahead of time, that gives you time to verify and make sure that the documents are received and were what the SSA wanted to receive. 

If you wait to send it until right before the deadline, you risk your paperwork not being received and processed on time. When you do this, you also don't give yourself any time to send additional paperwork if what you sent the first time is not what the SSA was actually looking for. 

#3 Failing To Check Up On Your Claim

The third major mistake that applicants make is failing to follow up on their claim. The process of applying for social security benefits is often drawn out, and can take months to reach a decision. During this time, it is your responsibility to follow through and make sure that every document you send is added to your file, and that all necessary paperwork is provided. 

You will need to continue to call your caseworker and monitor your case. If you fail to meet a deadline, you may not receive notice until there is nothing for you to do but start the process all over again. You need to be vigilant when applying for social security disabilities. A lawyer trained in social security disability cases can help you with that process.