What Happens At Our Initial Meeting?

The process of applying for Social Security disability in Rabun County can be long and daunting. An experienced Accredited Disability Representative (ADR) will make the process easier.

At our initial meeting, ADR Randy Adams will help you understand the ins and outs of your claim. You will be asked a series of questions that help determine whether or not your claim meets the requirements of the Social Security Administration (SSA). Don’t worry if you don’t know answers to all of the questions. They are just a framework to get your claim started. You should bring any documents that provide information to the questions you may be asked or that you feel may be helpful in your claim.

Some Questions We May Ask

In order to determine whether or not you qualify for Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) or SSI, we will ask you questions regarding your birth, residency, citizenship, marriage, finances, education, past work, medical history, and your disability. Some questions are specific to SSDI and others will only be asked if you are applying for SSI. However, you should be prepared to answer as many of these questions as possible.

Basic Questions about You

• What is your full name, address, date of birth, and social security number?
• If you are or have ever been married, what is the name, date of birth, and social security number of your spouse? When were you married?
• Are you a U.S citizen or a qualifying non-citizen alien?
• Have you ever lived or worked outside of the United States?
• Have you recently traveled outside of the United State for a period of 30 days or more?
• Have you ever applied for SSDI or SSI? If so, when and what was the outcome?

Questions about Your Finances

• What is the total value of your real and personal property, including houses, land, vehicles, and anything else of value that you or your spouse own?
• How much money do you have in your bank accounts, stocks, savings bonds, life insurance, retirement, and other financial accounts?
• Do you receive any other cash payments, such as retirement, pensions, Social Security benefits, etc.?
• Who pays for your housing, food, and other necessities?
• Have you given away any resources in the last 3 years?

Questions about Your Education and Work

• What is the highest level of education that you completed?
• Were you considered low performing or behaviorally challenged in school, or did you have any kind of individual education plan?
• Do you currently work? If not, when did you become too sick to work?
• Where have you worked for the past 15 years, and how much did you earn annually at those jobs?
• What kinds of work have you done throughout your lifetime? Did you need accommodations for these jobs?

Questions about Your Medical Conditions

• What medical conditions do you have, including mental and physical impairments?
• Describe your symptoms with as much detail as you can.
• Name the doctors you are currently seeing or have ever seen for your conditions.
• Do you have any mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety?
• Are you blind? If so, what is the vision acuity of your best eye with the use of corrective lenses?

What You Should Bring With You

• A photo ID that includes your date of birth, such as a driver’s license, state ID, or passport.
• Your Social Security card or non-citizen identification.
• Any SSDI/SSI applications you have submitted in the past as well as appeal and outcome information.
• Financial information, such as tax returns, bank accounts, stocks, savings bonds, land and home appraisals, vehicle details, personal property values, life insurance, and anything else that could be converted to cash.
• A list of all employers and places you’ve volunteered for at least the past 15 years, as well as descriptions of those jobs.
• A list of schools or training programs you have attended and any records or individual education plans you have in your possession. If you do not have records, we may request them for you.
• A list of your doctors, psychiatrists, counselors, chiropractors, and any other medical professionals who have treated you for your condition.
• A list of your medications and medical devices that you use.
• Any medical records or other evidence that you have that you feel supports your condition. If you do not have medical records, we will request them for you.

At the Interview

Our initial meeting will be a time to get to know one another. We will ask you questions and make copies of the documents you bring. We will explain the process of applying for SSDI/SSI and let you know what to expect going forward. An experienced ADR will explain the nuances of the Social Security system as they apply to your claim specifically. Feel free to ask any questions throughout the meeting or call us if you think of questions after you leave our office.

If you are considering applying for Social Security disability in Rabun County, call Adams & Associates Disability Inc. at 1-888-551-1190 to schedule your free case evaluation.