There are a lot of moving parts to your Social Security disability claim. So many, in fact, that the process can become overwhelming, especially when you are just trying to focus on getting by with your medical condition.
Yet, you have to be as prepared as possible to meet the challenges ahead of you if you hope to obtain access to the benefits that you need. That will require you to gather evidence from your medical records and your employment history, but it will likely also involve preparation for an interview with the Social Security Administration.
When are disability applicants interviewed?
Everyone who seeks disability benefits will be interviewed by a representative from the Social Security Administration. This interview may occur in person, but it might also take place over the phone. So, be expecting a call to schedule your interview.
What is the SSA trying to do with the interview?
Here, the government is trying to obtain a snapshot of your medical condition and how it has affected your daily life. Therefore, many of the questions will be aimed at your diagnosis, prognosis, and the treatment that has been recommended and that you have obtained.
But the SSA representative will probably also ask you about your previous employment, training, and education to better determine if your condition prevents you from working entirely or if it simply limits your ability to work in a specific field.
But the questioning likely will not stop there. The interview will also focus on how your disability affects your daily life, including your ability to manage and care for yourself. If a mental health condition serves as the basis of your disability claim, you might also receive questions about your ability to function in a social setting as well as your ability to interact with others.
How can you prepare for the interview?
There is a lot that you can do to prepare for the interview. You can start by reviewing your records. Obtain documentation pertaining to your medical care and employment so that you can articulately speak about your condition and what your future treatment will look like.
These records might include those pertaining to hospital stays, procedures, test results, and any correspondence from your doctor. A current job description from your employer and well as letters from your boss and co-workers specifying how your condition impacts your ability to work may help too.
Also, as you enter your interview, make sure that you are being honest. This is the best way to ensure that you are not caught up in the interviewer’s questions. If you don’t understand the question, ask that the representative ask it again or ask it in a different way.
Additionally, be prepared to be as detailed as possible. Don’t feel like you are playing up your disability too much. The truth of the matter is that the government needs to know exactly how you have been affected, so let them know every detail of how your life has changed.
Navigate the disability claims process with confidence
The thought of being put under the microscope can be scary. But the entire disability claims process does not have to be overwhelming. This is because you can choose to work with an experienced law firm that is adept at navigating the complexities of disability cases from start to finish.
So, do you need help building your initial claim or teeing your case up for appeal? If so, consider looking into our firm further to see what we have to offer our clients.