Common Mistakes
When You Apply For Disability
In Louisiana

7 Top Social Security Disability Application Mistakes

Here are some of the biggest errors our Social Security Disability lawyers see that can sink someone’s application for benefits:

1. 1. Waiting Too Long to Apply. It’s best to apply for disability benefits as soon as you know your health problems are making it impossible to work. For one key type of benefit——part of qualifying is showing that you have a strong record of recent work.

1. 1. Working Too Much. Social Security Disability benefits are designed to help people who can’t work. If you are working and earning more than the strict limits set by Social Security, they’ll say you don’t seem to need benefits and deny you.

1. 1. Failing to Fully Fill Out Your Disability Application Forms. You face a lot of forms when you apply for disability, but don’t let that wear you down. Fill out every section. Give answers that are as complete as you can. Sending an incomplete application is a simple mistake to avoid.

1. 1. Providing Wrong Information. In addition to being complete, you want the information you send to Social Security to be correct. Any time in the process, if Social Security sees something that conflicts with what you told them, that could put you at risk of getting denied.

1. 1. Failing to Provide Supporting Evidence. Medical evidence is a key part of any Social Security Disability claim. That means reports from doctors, test results, treatment plans, prescription lists and more. Along with the forms, make sure to file evidence that backs up what you say about your health problems forcing you off the job.

1. 1. Failing to Get Consistent Medical Care. You get that evidence by regularly going to the doctor and other health care providers. And when you regularly go—and you have a record of that—Social Security sees how your medical condition requires a lot of attention and how you’ve been doing your best to manage it.

1. Being Uncooperative with Social Security. This process is incredibly frustrating. We get it. Dealing with government representatives about your claim can be difficult. But make sure to respond promptly, patiently and courteously to requests and questions from Social Security.

Do you want to find out more about what you might need to qualify for Social Security Disability in Louisiana?

You can talk to the Empower Disability law firm for free before you make any decisions about working with us on your claim.

So I Filed My Application for Disability Benefits. Now What?

If you put together a strong application for disability benefits, you might get into that 21 percent of people who actually get approved on the first attempt—and your benefits start soon, and you can stabilize your life.

But of course, they just can’t make it that easy.

You could still get denied, even after sincere effort on your application. Because so many people get denied, it’s practically a routine part of the process.

But this is another big mistake: Giving up and failing to appeal the denial.

For many people, it’s when they appeal that they finally win Social Security Disability. You have more chances when you appeal, including opportunities to better explain to Social Security why you can’t work and need benefits.

After appeals, the number of people who still get turned down drops about 10%.

Appeals are more complicated than applications. And once again, it’s easy to make mistakes.

Now you really want to work with an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer. Empower Disability can stand by you through every step.

Do you need to start a new chapter after serious health problems disrupted your old life? Let us empower you.