How to Get SSI & Social Security Disability: An Insider's Step by Step Guide (Paperback)

by Mike Davis (Author)
Key Phrases: disability examiner, consultative examination, teacher questionnaire, Hearings Officer, Activities of Daily Living, Daily Activities Questionnaire (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
More people are denied SSI and Social Security Disability than are allowed benefits the first time they apply. This includes children and adults. Appeals can take a year or more. In a simplified step by step guide Mike Davis gives disability applicants the crucial information they need to know and exactly what to do to make the best case the first time around. A former SSI and Social Security Disability Claims Examiner, the author has worked on over 4000 cases over a seven year period. "Too often I have had to deny a claim when I thought there was a genuine disability, but the case was not complete enough to render a favorable decision. What I have tried to do in this book is give the reader the information needed to present his or her case fully, accurately, and in the best possible light. I believe this will increase the chances of a favorable decision dramatically." Here is the inside scoop on what the decision makers are really looking for and how you can help them to get it.

From the Author
WHY THIS BOOK WILL NEVER BE OUT OF DATE OR OBSOLETE This book does not focus on regulations, legislation, or whether or not a final decision is rendered with or without a medical doctor or psychologist, because IT DOES NOT MATTER TO YOU, the disability claimant. These things may change, but one thing that does not change is the requirements for full and complete evidence. It is not necessary that YOU, the claimant, know the body systems or listings of impairments or any other number of extraneous and complicated bits of law and medicine. What you do want and need is a short, step-by-step set of instructions that you can actually check off. These are provided for you in a few easy to understand pages that will give you ALL you need TO DO and TO KNOW to have the best chance of receiving a favorable decision. These requirements for evidence, from your doctor and others that are clearly and concisely indicated, do not change. There will be no need to revise and issue subsequent editions as long as the SSI and Social Security Disab!ility programs continue. Your best chance of being allowed benefits is to follow the directions provided. Your time is best spent getting what the Disability Examiner and Medical Consultant are looking for when making a decision, not studying body systems, law, or medical terminology. The title says it all, this is a short HOW TO book from an author who has made thousands of disability decisions. Every effort has been made to resist the temptation to include material that is professionally interesting to those in the disability field, but is of little value to the disability applicant and ends up driving up the length and cost of the book, and confuses rather than clarifies. Regulations, practices, political influences and legislation change, but the basic requirements for evidence do not. IF WHAT YOU WANT IS SIMPLE, SHORT DIRECTIONS, THAT GIVE YOU THE INSIDE TRACK ON HOW TO HAVE THE BEST CHANCE OF GETTING DISABILITY THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 148 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc; 1 edition (September 18, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595125743
• ISBN-13: 978-0595125746
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #83,607 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Author's perspective -- invaluable, July 28, 2003

By	Diane "kopesky51" (St. Paul, Minnesota United States) - See all my reviews

From the perspective of a disability claims examiner, Mike Davis effectively articulates the importance of the completeness of the application and also the communication with doctors and the claims examiner. Volumes of documentation are critical, and Mr. Davis helps claimants through this process. Mr. Davis returned my emails promptly and provided a great deal of support. I would highly recommend this book to anyone filing for SSI or SS Disability Insurance.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of three best Social Security disability books, March 26, 2002

By	Douglas M. Smith "doug the lawyer/author" (Severna Park, MD USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a lawyer I recommend three books to individuals who ask for help in getting their Social Security disability benefits. First is our Disability Workbook for Social Security Applicants. Everyone tells me that this book greatly simplifies getting disability benefits. I can testify that interviewing a client is much easier when he or she has used the Disability Workbook. Second, the book How to Get SSI and Social Security Disability, by Mike Davis, is insightful and easy to read. Mr. Davis is a former disability examiner. His clear explanations of common bureaucratic problems make his book one of my favorites. Finally, I use Dr. David Morton's Nolo's Guide to Social Security Disability. Dr. Morton is a former disability determination services staff physician who describes Social Security medical decision making better than anyone else I know. Every doctor who communicates with Social Security about patients should have Dr, Morton's book on the shelf - and every disability lawyer. I give all three books the highest rating.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Necessary Tool, March 15, 2001

By	Business Owner (San Jose, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This is the book I wish I'd had when my son became disabled and had applied for disability. We were over-whelmed and confused with the whole experience. If we had known about this guide we would have saved a lot of time and frustration. This truly is what the author calls it, "a simple, step by step guide." I recommend it not just for people who are applying for disability, but for anyone who is helping a friend or family member apply. It's short, sweet, to the point, and an invaluable guide from someone on the inside. You really feel like he's on your side and wants to help you. His email address is also on the back of the book.