Q: I recently applied for social security disability benefits and was told I needed to undergo another medical exam. Is this common?
A: Many people who file for disability benefits through Social Security are asked to go through a consultation with one of their doctors. Your representative will refer to it as a consultative examination. A CE is requested by the disability examiner who handles your case. The administrative judge for your appeal can also call for the CE. A CE is usually requested for two reasons. If you have not had an exam recently, a CE will provide updated information. If the details on your medical records are old, the disability examiner assigned to your file will not be able to make a sound decision. The other purpose would be to fill in some gaps in your medical information. Perhaps you do not have recent x rays or a required test for your particular condition. A call for a consultative examination is not an indication that your case will not be approved. But it does mean that your file cannot be fully reviewed until the information from the CE is obtained. If one is requested, you will have to participate in the CE. If you have any questions or concerns about your particular CE, you many wish to contact a social security lawyer.
Q: Should I have a social security lawyer review my case before I appeal?
A: If your application for disability was denied, you should appeal and it is wise to hire a social security lawyer to help with the process. A large number of cases initially reviewed by the Social Security Administration are not approved. Just because a case is denied, does not mean it cannot win in appeal. Often cases are denied simply due to lack of appropriate information. Having a social security lawyer on your side during an appeal process will guarantee that your case will be adjudicated properly. Statistically, cases represented by a social security lawyer that are reconsidered by an administrative judge stand a better chance of receiving approval.
Q: Once I submit my application, do I need to follow up with social security?
A: Yes, you should follow up on the status of your application. Your social security lawyer (if applicable) can also check your application status. In some cases, paperwork can be misplaced. It is also possible that notification regarding a case could be lost. There are many stages your application must go through to be reviewed. You could miss deadlines if you are not notified. Knowing where your application is in the process, or if it has been lost, can be extremely helpful. To check on the status, it is best to contact the disability examiner assigned to your case. On average, a decision on a case will be rendered within a few months. You will want to check the status of your application if you have not heard anything during that time.