Alabama Social Security Disability Guide - by The Forsythe Firm - (256) 799-0297.

Sure, you could call one of those out-of-state 800 numbers for help with your Social Security disability.  But here is what a local disability counselor or advocate should be able to offer you that these 800 numbers may not: a convenient, private, local office in which to counsel you personally and map out a plan to represent you individually. face-to-face meetings anytime you need advice, have questions or need to drop off or pick up documents.  a staff trained and dedicated to providing you with individualized, personal service. prompt return of your phone calls. in person , individualized preparation for hearings, meetings or conferences with Social Security - held with the representative who will actually attend the hearing or conference with you. Frankly, the folks at the 1-800 numbers generally don't have any local offices.  They don't specialize in personal service.  They usually focus on volume--handling as many cases as possible, a kind o...

Social Security disability is awarded base on a claimant's limited ability to function.  It is not awarded based on diseases, but on functional limitations. The primary way Social Security evaluates your functional ability is by a detailed questionnaire that they refer to as "the ADL (Activities of Daily Living) questionnaire.  The official name of the document is the "Function Report." The Function Report is an 8- page document with Sections A-D and it contains approximately 60 questions. I understand the temptation to ignore this form (just not bother with it) or to fly through it quickly because you feel it is a waste of time.  This is a crucial mistake.  You should spend a lot of time with this form.  In fact, this form should be your constant companion for a couple of days until it is completed lovingly, comprehensively, thoughtfully and very, very completely. The Function Report will ask you things like: Do you cook your own food? Ho...

7 out of 10 Social Security disability claims get denied.  The most common reason given in the denial letter is: " We have determined that you are not able to do your past work.  However, there is other work which you are still able to perform." We call these "Step 5" denials and they are very common in claimants under the age of 50.  What went wrong?  Here are the common reasons Social Security could not pay your claim: 1)  Your application did not address your vocational restrictions, including your inability to perform any work that exists in the US economy.  If you were employed, for example, as a construction worker for the past 23 years and your doctor tells you that you can no longer do this type of heavy work, it does not mean that you are disabled.  It means that you need a career change.  To get Social Security, you have to prove that even with a career change--and moving to a lighter, easier job--you would still not be able to wo...