Formatting Correspondence

The purpose of this lesson is to introduce you to the techniques used in formatting correspondence letters to SSA. Providing professional presentations is an important part of case representation and can go a long way toward helping you win more cases.

It should go without saying. that all correspondence sent to SSA should be neat and professional in appearance in order to be effective. Nearly every case you represent will be presented in writing. You will rarely present a case in person if you use the on the record approach. Therefore. your writing skills become your primary medium for communicating your knowledge and opinions to SSA.

The two example rebuttal letters and formal arguments in this chapter are the end products of practice cases I and II of lessons seven and eight. Use the structural formats shown in these upcoming examples for cases presented to the Social Security Administration. You may alter your presentations in anyway you like. as long as the end product is satisfactory both to you and your clients.

Let's assume that you have entered into these two case examples on the reconsideration level as indicated in case studies I and n. You have received and reviewed all requested medical data from SSA and are now ready to submit a standard rebuttal letter.     

A rebuttal letter should only be sent on the recon or ALJ appeal levels. these letters should be sent only after you have become the authorized representative. It is important that you inform the claimant that his case may result in a denial on the reconsideration level regardless of your actions. but that this step is of critical importance to a future decision in his favor. 

A rebuttal letter, along with a completed copy of form 1696-U4, establishes you as the authorized representative in the case and also assures you that any correspondence sent to the claimant will also be sent to you. The rebuttal letter will read essentially the same whether claimant bas already applied for recon or you are doing it for him.

THINGS TO MENTION:

The following is a list of points which should always be included in correspondence with SSA.

1. Identify yourself as claimant's authorized representative.

2. Identify the claimant by name and Social Security number.

3. Identify claimant's allegations.

4. Mention the date disability began ( onset date ). if known. Onset information can be extracted from the claimant or from     the SSA 831 Title two or 832 Title Sixteen forms. These forms are discussed in your business guide.

5. Discuss briefly what physical disability the claimant has and state your disagreement with SSA's decision in the case.

6. Discuss claimant's impairments briefly in your letter.

7. Discuss briefly the medical issues in the case. (Optional)

8. Formally request that previous decision be reconsidered. This is done by simply making a reconsideration request statement.

9. End letter by requesting that copies of initial claimant file information and any additional medical reports since last decision be forwarded to your attention.