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Living With FibromyalgiaYour Complete Guide To Pain Relief |
Fibromyalgia And Disability
Sometimes the symptoms of fibromyalgia become so overwhelming that it’s simply impossible to lead a normal life, and that includes holding down a steady job. Many with fibromyalgia eventually have no other choice but to apply for Social Security disability benefits. Applying for Social Security disability insurance benefits isn’t difficult, if you know what you’re doing.
To obtain Social Security benefits, you must fit the definition of disabled, as set by the Social Security Administration: “An inability to perform any substantial gainful activity because of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.”
You cannot obtain Social Security disability insurance benefits if you’re working, if you have the ability to work, and/or there is no medical evidence of a chronic illness or injury. If you meet the criteria, you should seriously consider applying for Social Security disability benefits.
How to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits:
How and when to speak to your doctor. Talk with your doctor about how your fibromyalgia is hindering your life. If you’ve been unable to work for at least 12 months, you’re doctor is likely going to advise you of your right to apply for Social Security disability benefits.
In fact, if your doctor believes your disability is going to last for longer than a year, he may advise you to file for Social Security disability benefits as soon as six months after your diagnosis. So make sure you speak to your doctor within four or five months of being diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
Gather your information. You must provide a plethora of information to obtain Social Security disability benefits. You’ll have to list all of the doctors you’ve seen, related to your fibromyalgia, including dates seen and medications prescribed. Make sure you have the names, addresses, and phone numbers of each doctor you’ve seen for your fibromyalgia.
You’ll also be required to list your employment history, with dates of employment and a detailed description of your tasks. Before you sit down to fill out the Social Security Disability forms, make sure you have all the information you need to fill out your application.
Fill out the forms. You can fill out the forms, to obtain Social Security disability benefits, online at the Social Security Administration’s website, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting your local Social Security Administration office. Ensure you fill out the forms accurately and thoroughly, or it can slow down the claims process.
Wait. You can expect to wait anywhere from six to eight months to hear whether you’ll obtain Social Security disability benefits. During that time, the Social Security Administration will investigate your claim by checking your medical history, your employment history, and ensuring you are a citizen of the United States.
Your application will also be reviewed by a physician and a non-physician. Both are employed by the Social Security Disability Determination Service. In some cases, the physician reviewing cases has neither the education nor the experience in the illness or condition in question, but still he will decide whether you can obtain Social Security disability benefits.
Appeal. Expect to have your first claim denied. After your claim is denied, you must file an appeal within 60 days. Even if you get your appeal in a day late, you’re going to have to start the whole process, of trying to obtain Social Security disability benefits, all over again.
When you appeal, you’ll fill out a Request for Reconsideration form, which you can file on your own at the Social Security Administration District Office, or you can hire an attorney to file the appeal on your behalf. Regardless of which option you choose, if you want to obtain Social Security Disability benefits sooner rather than later, do not miss the 60-day deadline.
Once you file your appeal, you’ll likely be ordered to be examined by a Social Security Administration-appointed physician, another part of the long process of trying to obtain Social Security disability benefits. Again, you’ll likely be rejected and given suggestions for suitable employment. Realize, however, that the employment suggestions may have nothing to do with your skills or experience.
If you are denied for Social Security disability benefits a second time, you’ll have 60-days to appeal again. This time, however, you’re going to request a hearing, which may not be scheduled for as long as four months.
Should you again be denied for Social Security disability benefits, you have 60 more days to file an appeal with the Appeals Council. All told, you can expect approximately two years to pass between the time you file your initial claim until you either obtain Social Security disability benefits, or your claim is denied.
While the process of obtaining Social Security disability benefits is long, and
sometimes frustrating, you should nonetheless speak with your doctor and
consider applying for Social Security disability benefits.
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