Noteboom The Law Firm

Write a Dire Need Letter to Explain Your Immediate Disability Needs

Waiting over a year to hear back from the SSA about your Social Security disability application is not unheard of. In fact, many states have wait times that average a year and a half, and many people have waited more than that to get an answer.

Since qualifying for disability means that you cannot have steady income from a job, you will likely wonder how you can survive if you have to wait a long time to find out about the status of your Social Security disability application.

Some people are fortunate enough to have a savings account that can hold them over or family and charities that help contribute to their daily needs. However, with the economy today, many people have no backup money to rely on. If you are far behind on your bills or are in danger of your car being repossessed or house being foreclosed on, there may be something you can do.

A dire need letter is where you can express your worries regarding your financial situation. In it, you would describe why you need your claim processed faster than usual, whether it is because you are about to lose your home or cannot even buy the prescriptions you need to treat your medical condition.

It may or may not work, but at least you can say you tried. Keep in mind that it is not read by a computer, but rather, a person. Think of the words that might convince you if you were the person in charge of reading these letters, and then try to model your letter with that perspective in mind. Typically, the more details that you include about your plight, the better. This is because they can help the reader get a good understanding about why you need your payments as soon as possible.

You cannot expect your letter to work wonders, but at least after you submit it, you will know you tried. Typically, there is not much more you can do during the waiting period. Consulting with your lawyer often will help you stay updated regarding your case. Showing your attorney the dire need letter before you send it is also a good idea, as you might get some feedback or advice on how to improve it.

If you or your loved one are suffering from a severe physical or mental disability, you should contact a Social Security Disability lawyer immediately to learn about your rights and determine eligibility. The process of securing Social Security Disability Insurance benefits and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can be difficult and overwhelming. Don't go it alone! The disability lawyers at LaVan & Neidenberg, located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL understand the inner workings of the Social Security Administration and will help you navigate the system. Call us today for a FREE legal consultation - 1-888-234-5758.