Making the decision to quit your job may not have been easy, but if your illness has progressed to the point where you are unable to function at work, you may have had no choice. In many cases, people in Alabama with conditions such as chronic migraines may try to work through the pain, seeking relief from every possible source. There may come a time, however, when just getting out of bed is nearly impossible.
If your condition has made it difficult to carry on with your daily routine or accomplish the tasks assigned to you at work, you may feel that leaving the work force is your next step. However, this may mean applying for Social Security Disability Insurance, and it is not something you are eager to undertake.
Improving your chances of a positive outcome
Without a doubt, proving your eligibility for SSD is a difficult task, especially if you suffer from a frequently misunderstood condition, such as migraines, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome or depression. Because these conditions and many others have symptoms that are difficult to describe or categorize, your doctor may be unable to give a precise diagnosis. Your health care provider may send you from specialist to specialist before someone finally puts a name to your suffering.
It may discourage you to hear that Social Security denies most applications for SSD and rejects even more appeals. However, with the right legal assistance and diligent preparation, you may improve the chances of approval, allowing you to obtain the financial assistance you need. Some steps you can take before you apply for SSD include the following:
- Making sure your doctor supports your decision to stop working
- Confirming that your doctor has experience assisting patients who apply for SSD
- Gathering all medical records, test results and lab reports from every doctor and specialist you have seen about your condition, even if you only had one appointment
- Reviewing your medical history for any notations that may hinder your SSD application and contacting the appropriate provider for clarification
- Listing every medication, nontraditional treatment, therapy, infusion or hospital stay you have attempted to find relief for your symptoms
- Keeping a detailed log of the struggles you endure on a daily basis, at home and at work, because of your illness
The more details you can give, even if they seem too private or embarrassing, the more information Social Security agents will have about how debilitating your condition is. You may wish to include practical ways in which your symptoms interfere with daily life as well as describing the emotional, personal and psychological toll the issue has taken. A statement from a counselor or psychologist may help in this area.