HELP YOURSELF: IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES WITH SOCIAL SECURITY

Everyone admits that Social Security Disability (SSDI) is harder to get these days. Here are things you can do to help yourself while you wait on Social Security to decide your case:

__ See your doctor(s) regularly. Try to follow medical advice and take your medications as prescribed. Tell your doctor about pain, fatigue, other symptoms.

__ If you doctor wants you to have X-rays, MRI, CT scans or other diagnostic tests, try to have them done. These will become "medical evidence" in your Social Security claim.

__ Speak to your representative before you make life-changing decisions such as returning to work, going to school (college), or etc. because these can significantly impact your SSDI or SSI claim.

__ Be aware that receiving unemployment compensation benefits may have an impact on your disability claim.

__Be aware that your social media posts may be read by Social Security decision makers. Most people don't post their vacation photos on Facebook with explanations like, "I had to rest for 30 minutes between the ski lodge and the chairlifts," or "I was pretty doped up on Oxycodone and Percocet when this photo of me on the Texas Tornado was taken."

__ Keep your representative informed about changes in your medical treatment or conditions. Social Security DOES NOT continue to order medical records during an appeal process. Your representative must do this. Therefore, he or she must be informed about the doctors you are seeing, the tests you are having performed, etc. Medical evidence should be constantly updated while you wait on a hearing to be scheduled.