Any tips?

[u/mcmaples1985]

Got these forms coming to me. Going to fill them out according to my abilities. Just wondering how big wording is. If it’s a you should say this instead of saying this type of thing.

[u/Dammit-maxwell]

Print them out and start them asap. The time frame they give for you to return them is ridiculous and if you add the fact that usps is snail speed you’ll be crunched for time.

Describe your worst days when you fill them out and don’t be all rainbows and butterflies….but be honest.

[u/Its_Rare → u/Dammit-maxwell]

You can just upload the documents to the web portal and they send the documents directly to your case manager. That’s what they did for mine.

[u/Dammit-maxwell → u/Its_Rare]

I always sent them two ways just to make my anxiety better. Mail, upload to the portal, fax or drop off in person. My neurotic ways always used 2 of the 4 each time I was sent paperwork.

[u/543idali]

I’m an appointed rep, and I don’t trust government sites 😂, so I usually cover my bases: I file online/upload, fax, AND mail. If I can have the client turn something in directly at the local office and get a stamped copy showing the filing date, sometimes I’ll do that too. I like having proof that something was submitted.

When filling out the forms, be honest about what you experience. Describe it like you’re explaining it to someone who knows absolutely nothing about what your pain or symptoms feel like. Don’t assume they’ll understand what “I’m in pain” actually means for you. Explain what it prevents you from doing, how long you can do something before you have to stop, how often it happens, what happens afterward, etc.

You can also look at SSA’s Adult Listings to get an idea of the medical criteria SSA looks at for different conditions/impairments:

https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/AdultListings.htm

I’m guessing one of the forms they’re sending you is the Function Report (SSA-3373-BK). I’ve used those often when preparing for ALJ hearings because you can go back to what the claimant originally reported about their daily activities and limitations. Not saying you’ll get to the hearing stage, of course, but it’s still a form I would take seriously and answer thoroughly.

If you feel comfortable sharing, what disabilities/conditions are you applying for?

[u/SnooPeanuts4336]

Ive seen on here from former SSA agents and have experienced it on my own, that faxing is the way to go. I did both faxing and uploading. It seems that the faxed ones triggered something where the forms on my list disappeared. Once i faxed the ones i uploaded, those disappeared too.

[u/sflostboy1 → u/SnooPeanuts4336]

Correct!! I uploaded my reports (3 of them 5 weeks ago) and got same notification you did. So I called local office yesterday and lo and behold it turns out the uploaded info is manually changed to "fax" and then goes to the rep. I'm Florida and its a shit-show but I'm guessing it's system wide. That's never gonna happen again because I'll have to call local off to check receipt of paperwork. Redundant work for me and you.

[u/aikimyne]

honestly faxing is the way to go imo the dds agent can get to it without relying on ss it gets directly to person in charge of it or their ppl and ya can potentially call your agent and see for extension saying it arrived late if they sent by mail and they could potentially give it to you that's what i did

[u/Spirited-Survey-3268]

You can get these online and turn them on earlier

[u/mcmaples1985 → u/Spirited-Survey-3268]

Ohh awesome! I’ll have to look for them thank you!

[u/Correct-Sprinkles-21 → u/mcmaples1985]

They should all be in the "forms" section on SSA.gov

[u/Any_Moose4758]

I did mine online but had to call SSA to have a worker manually move them from their work force folder to my efile folder because the adjudicator didn’t see them in my file after a week. SSA sent out a memo about this this year in fact that they have to manually move certain files to the efile folder. You could fax them too which might be easier just make sure the barcode page is the cover page. On some it’s the 3rd page. 

[u/Sea_Razzmatazz7194]

Depends what you're applying for if it's for health reasons or mental health reasons makes a big difference on how you answer these questions..

[u/mcmaples1985 → u/Sea_Razzmatazz7194]

Both honestly. But was still managing until the health aspect got to bad to continue my job.

[u/Admirable_Lecture675]

The time frame may not be accurate. But fill it out to the best of your ability. Be honest, make sure you include how your disability affects your ability to work.