5 TIPS TO HELP NAVIGATE THROUGH THE SSDI/SSI SYSTEM
If you are somewhere in the Social Security Disability universe during these challenging times, whether you are considering filing, have filed and are waiting for a decision or scheduled for a hearing, we want to share what we are telling our clients:
TIP #1: APPLY NOW:
If you plan on applying, do so online as soon as you can. You can’t apply in person as all SSA offices are closed to the public and we don’t recommend mailing your application. To file online go to Apply Online for Disability and follow the instructions. You do not need to enter all the information at one time, you can save what you have and return later. Just make sure to save the RE-ENTRY NUMBER you are given when you start the process. (TIP: at the bottom of the page where you are given the re-entry number it says “to have this emailed to you, enter your email below”. Fill this out so you will have a copy of this critical number in your email.)
Filing date stamps your application, saving your place in a long (a very, very long) line.
TIP #2: HAVE PATIENCE
If you have filed and are waiting for a decision, be patient. Your case will be reviewed in time but at this point in time, no one knows when. But please note that SSA has suspended many of their workloads:
” We will not start or complete any current medical continuing disability reviews. If you have a medical continuing disability review pending, please do not request medical information from your doctors at this time. We will follow up with you for any medical evidence once the COVID-19 public health emergency subsides. ” SSA.gov
TIP #3: DON’T IGNORE FILING DEADLINES
Even though Social Security has extended its deadlines, we urge our clients to file within the standard deadlines. Given the inevitable backlog, getting in the queue still makes sense.
“Yes. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are extending our deadlines wherever possible.
- If we asked you to contact us by a certain date, please do not come to the office. You can contact us once our offices reopen to the public or you can mail your documents to us. We will follow up with you once the COVID-19 public health emergency subsides.
- We are providing maximum flexibility in applying our good cause policy. This policy allows us to extend the time limits for submitting appeals and taking other actions during this public health emergency.
- If we asked you to contact us by a certain date, please do not come to the office. You can contact us once our offices reopen to the public or you can mail your documents to us. We will follow up with you once the COVID-19 public health emergency subsides.
- We are providing maximum flexibility in applying our good cause policy. This policy allows us to extend the time limits for submitting appeals and taking other actions during this public health emergency.
File online on the Social Security site here and follow the same procedures in Tip #1. The only three filing methods are in person, by phone and online so for now, filing online is the only option.
TIP #4: HOW TO REACH YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY OFFICE
If you need information about an upcoming hearing, the status of your application or any other critical question*, you need to call your local office, which SSA never gives out. Attorneys that specialize in disability have the contact information but here’s a tip to locate yours.
#1: Go to this page on SSA.gov and click on Local Office General Inquiry Line shown below
#2: Enter your zip code here:
#3: The scroll down the page and on the bottom you will find the local phone number, next to “Do Not Give The Admin Number to the Public.”
TIP #5: NEVER NEVER NEVER GIVE OUT YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER ON THE PHONE. NEVER.
Social Security posts updates on the Coronavirus crisis here. Note this warning:
“The Inspector General of Social Security, Gail S. Ennis, is warning the public about fraudulent letters threatening suspension of Social Security benefits due to COVID-19-related office closures. We will not suspend or discontinue benefits because our offices are closed to the public for in-person service. Read the fraud advisory.”
You can’t call a Social Security office without listening to their warning. These scammers are trying to take advantage of this crisis and have upped their efforts. Right now, many SSA employees are working from home and are calling from their cell phones but they are never allowed to ask for your social security number.
From our firm and our families, please stay safe, listen to the CDC, take care of yourself, families and neighbors.