Allsup explains considerations when applying for SSDI benefits on your own
Belleville, Ill. (PRWEB) August 02, 2011
In fact, the SSA routinely denies 65 percent of initial applications and a whopping 87 percent of first appeals. What’s needed is a difference maker, according to Ed Swierczek, Allsup senior claimant representative.
“The first thing you’ll learn when you apply for SSDI is that Social Security requires a tremendous amount of personal information,” Swierczek said. “If, for example, you cannot provide a complete medical history, that can be a game stopper. The disability review and appeal process is designed to halt any claim that doesn’t provide full documentation.”
SSDI is a federally mandated disability insurance program overseen by the SSA that operates separately from the retirement and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. SSDI provides monthly benefits to individuals who are under full retirement age (age 65 or older) and who can no longer work because of a disability (injury, illness or condition) that is expected to last for at least 12 months or is terminal. Individuals must have paid FICA taxes to be eligible. More details are provided in the SSDI Overview on Allsup.com.
The difficulty of receiving Social Security disability benefits can be heard firsthand from people who have gone through the process, including application and disability appeal. “We needed that second income,” said a 54-year-old Illinois woman and Allsup customer whose rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia eventually made it impossible for her to work. She thought she had great medical records, but “Social Security sent me to its own physician and subsequently denied my application.”
She learned from this experience that she needed help from SSDI experts who knew what was required to get her through the Social Security benefits maze.
“SSDI applicants often face significant hurdles, and it can be a lonely process before they learn that professional help is available,” Swierczek said. “After she contacted Allsup, we were able to gather and document her complete medical history and give the SSA what they needed to award disability benefits.”
Why SSDI Representation Matters
The results Allsup customers experience helps illustrate why professional help is so important. For example, Allsup has a 55 percent success rate for SSDI applicants at the initial application, which is significantly higher than the average nationwide rate of 35 percent. In addition, Allsup is able to help nearly 90 percent of applicants who reach the hearing level to receive their benefits, compared with the average nationwide rate of 62 percent.
Persistence is instrumental to the success that Allsup experts achieve for customers. “SSA denied me a couple of times,” a 42-year-old Massachusetts customer told Allsup. “I think [the SSA] hoped I’d give up, but Allsup doesn’t give up. I knew they wouldn’t, because that’s what they’re in the business for.”
Read more personal stories from Allsup customers on Allsup.com. “As professional providers of SSDI services, we offer the best services available,” Swierczek said. “As much as possible, we take the frustration out of the application process and make sure each customer’s circumstances are known and effectively made known to the SSA.”
For more information about choosing a representative and options, visit Choosing Disability Representation on Allsup.com. If you’re not certain you are eligible for SSDI based on your disability, work history or have additional questions, contact the Allsup Disability Evaluation Center at (800) 678-3276.
ABOUT ALLSUP
Allsup is a nationwide provider of Social Security disability, Medicare and Medicare Secondary Payer compliance services for individuals, employers and insurance carriers. Founded in 1984, Allsup employs nearly 800 professionals who deliver specialized services supporting people with disabilities and seniors so they may lead lives that are as financially secure and as healthy as possible. The company is based in Belleville, Ill., near St. Louis. For more information, go to http://www.Allsup.com.
Contact:
Dan Allsup
(800) 854-1418, ext. 65760
djallsup(at)allsupinc(dot)com
Rebecca Ray
or
Gail Rucker, ext. 68504
g(dot)rucker(at)allsupinc(dot)com
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Dan Allsup
Allsup
(800) 854-1418 65760
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