1. Apply immediately for Social Security disability benefits, if your physical or mental condition significantly affects your ability to work a full time schedule. If your condition improves and you are able to return to full work, at that time you can easily dismiss your claim without any penalty. If you delay applying, you could lose entitlement to important benefits.

2. Apply for BOTH Title 2 SSDIB and Title 16 SSI, no matter what you believe or what you are told verbally by a Social Security employee.

3. Do not accept, at any time, what a Social Security employee tells you verbally. GET IT IN WRITING. If they are wrong (and they can be), you will have written evidence of what they mistakenly told you.

4. Read completely everything the Social Security Administration sends you.

5. Do not ignore Social Security deadlines.

6. Have someone assist you in completing all forms and timely submit them to Social Security. If you cannot do it yourself, an experienced attorney or representative can assist you in completing forms.

7. Inform the Social Security Administration of EVERY person (doctor or otherwise) or organization (hospital or otherwise) you have seen for your physical and/or mental problems for at least as long as your medical conditions have affected your ability to work.

8. Do not give up, if you receive a denial from the Social Security Administration. Timely appeal the denial or have a legal representative timely appeal it for you.

9. Contact an experienced attorney or representative, if you have any questions about your rights.

10. Do not avoid hiring an experienced attorney or representative because you do not have the money. No fee will be owed unless you receive past due Social Security benefits.

PERSISTENCE AND PATIENCE ARE KEY TO THIS PROCESS.

Useful Links

Government Sites:

www.ssa.gov
www.medicare.gov

Pharmacy Assistance Programs:

www.needymeds.com
www.phrma.org
www.rxassist.org
www.pparx.org