Filing for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is already stressful enough. You’re dealing with your health, your finances, and a mountain of forms. But lately, we’ve seen more problems come up at the very first step of the process. Many people start the application but never finish it, not because they gave up, but because they didn’t complete the attestation. And that small step is stopping their case from even getting started.
What Is Attestation, and Why Is It Important?
Attestation is simply the process of confirming that the information on your application is correct and that it’s really you submitting it. When we assist someone in filing their initial SSDI application, they must still attest to the application by signing and returning it either online, by mail, or over the phone. Without that step, the Social Security Administration (SSA) won’t move forward with your claim. You don’t get in line. Your case doesn’t reach a disability examiner. It just sits there, unfinished.
This has been a growing issue. We’ve had clients assume the application was filed and then wonder why they never heard anything back. Some even think their claim was denied when in reality, the SSA never processed it at all. After all, it was never attested. Even worse, the SSA doesn’t notify our office when this happens. Unless we contact you to check on it, there’s no way to know if your application is sitting in limbo.
When Else Do You Need to Attest?
Even after your case is up and running, you might still be asked to attest to certain parts of your file. Sometimes, the SSA needs you to confirm your signature on paperwork, such as the Appointment of Representative form. This occurs when the SSA wants to verify that you actually signed the document you submitted. In those cases, they’ll ask you to call in and confirm over the phone. If you don’t do that, they may not accept the paperwork and your case could stall again.
We’re seeing more of this in recent months. The SSA appears to be paying closer attention to potential fraud, and it may be implementing additional rules to ensure that applications are coming from genuine individuals. While that’s understandable, it adds another layer to the process. You may think everything is taken care of only to learn later that SSA is waiting on you to take one more step.
Don’t Let a Missed Step Stop Your Case
If you’ve started an application or sent in paperwork but haven’t heard back, it’s worth checking to make sure the SSA received your attestation. If you’ve been asked to sign or call and haven’t yet, please do so now. That one step could be the reason your case hasn’t moved forward.
If you’re unsure about what to do or feel that the process has stalled, the Pati Law Firm can help. We walk you through each step and make sure nothing is missed. Contact us today so we can help you get your claim on track and moving forward.
Pati Law Firm
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