The Social Security Administration offers financial support for individuals in California who are unable to work due to a disabling medical condition, but the application process is typically lengthy and frustrating. Millions receive disability benefits each month, but securing this support is not as easy as it should be for qualified applicants. For those seeking benefits, it is prudent to take whatever steps are necessary to make the process as simple and easy as possible.
A shorter waiting period
Because of staffing shortages and a backlog of applications that developed due to the pandemic, there are an estimated 1.1 million Americans waiting for a response to their disability application. According to the SSA, it can take a few months for an application to be processed. Tips to possibly making this process faster and easier include:
- Ensure that everything in the application is accurate and up to date.
- Provide accurate information regarding health status and medical records.
- Include information about employers, doctors and care providers.
If an initial claim comes back denied, as many do, the next step will be to initiate the appeals process as quickly as possible.
Help at every step
One way to decrease issues with the disability benefits application process is to seek the guidance of an experienced California Social Security attorney. This can reduce the chance of errors and other problems that may affect the speed with which the SSA processes an application. Before proceeding with this process, an applicant may benefit from an explanation of eligibility requirements and other details.