You've completed the initial application for Social Security Disability, what happens next? I’m Annette Leonard of https://www.annetteleonard.com find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theannetteleonard

I am not an attorney or legal advisor -- seek professional guidance when trying to make legal determinations or get professional input about important questions. I'm speaking from my experience of applying for Social Security Disability.

You send in your application and they solicit information from others. Your doctors will be contacted. So if you have a rheumatological condition, you need to have a rheumatologist who says so (etc. for a neurological, psychological, on down the line). If your ducks aren't in a row, don't apply yet. If your documentation isn't squarely laid out, consider waiting to apply. Similarly, if you aren't appropriately treating your illness, that isn't a reason to receive Social Security Disability. You need to consider all the holes in your argument. Think about the case you're building from as many perspectives as possible and try to be as thorough as possible.

Your doctors will be solicited on your behalf to submit documentation. They may be asked simply to submit records about you or they may be asked to fill out disability paperwork on your behalf. Regarding the first: you might need to sign additional forms to give permission for their facility to send records. Regarding the second: some doctors WON'T complete disability paperwork on behalf of their patients or may charge a fee to do so.

It's awfully frustrating when a doctor won't fill out disability paperwork and you can't compel them to, in that case you hope the documentation is strong enough on its own. But for any doctor who will fill out on your behalf, I make copies of my application paperwork (in case any gets lost, for future disability reviews AND because I share copies with my doctors who are writing on my behalf).

On your initial application you list the date you were unable to work -- this date can become very important for a couple of reasons. This date can mean back pay and it can determine your Medicare eligibility. Many people do not understand that Social Security Disability is tied to Medicare but one must be receiving benefits for 2 years before becoming Medicare eligible. That's just one more reason that the small details REALLY matter when completing these forms.

Take your time, do it when you have a clear head, don't rush. I check and recheck and have another person proof read. You complete your forms, your doctors complete theirs, you sign all the waivers, and once Social Security gets your complete file, a review is complete, they make a determination.

Eventually, you'll get a letter saying "approved" or "denied." Understand that an extraordinary number are denied from the start. Don't give up, there are still ways through. Most of the people I know who are receiving benefits go there on appeal. It doesn't mean you're doing it wrong or won't eventually get there.

Please leave comments, questions, or tips.

This is the Chronic Wellness Podcast. I'm Annette Leonard, speaker, coach, and sick person who believes that my illnesses do not define me. If health is the absence of disease and wellness is the presence of wholeness, then no matter what your disease status, we can work toward your wellness, your wholeness.

Whether or not you are ever "healthy" on paper, you can be well. Join me and others on the path back to wholeness at AnnetteLeonard.com. Whether you are a person experiencing chronic illness or are someone who loves or serves people with chronic illness I have great resources here on this channel or on my website for you.