I’ve been meaning to write this post on the 5 best books about filing Social Security Disability for a while.
A lot of claimants start the process of filing for disability by either searching online or by reading books about filing. The amount of information can be overwhelming.
And even with all this information, claimants don’t know where to start, or what to read. They are confused about what books to buy and if they will have the ability to follow all the instructions or understand the concepts.
Now, you may be wondering: “Why 5 books and not more?”
To be honest, I had a hard time even finding 5 books that I would recommend to anyone filing for disability.
The main reason is that half the books out there are either as long as a pamphlet (too short) or were published to advertise a law office (trying to recruit clients).
So the books you see in this post are about the only ones I thought would bring any benefit to a person filing for disability.
Always Select Books With Clearly Organized Concepts
This post contains affiliate links. I may make a commission from any purchases you make through these links without any extra cost to you. This is how I make sure this blog is available to help you in your claim journey
If you have been following my blog, you know that I try to bring information about the process in as easy to understand language as possible.
Here you will find blog posts with information about the process along with a Free-Mini Course on the initial concepts of filing for disability. The Free Mini Course will certainly help you if you are not certain if you want/need/should file. If you wish to read more about the process, you can check my post about How do I know I qualify for Social Security Disability?.
Then you can focus on investing in a good book to start the process.
I also sell courses like the “5 Day File Your Disability Claim“ course and the “Medical Records Reading 101” course. And my bestseller, “The Residual Functional Capacity Report“ Tutorial and forms.
Currently, each priced at $9.99.
With that same idea and seeing the kinds of books on the subject,
I, myself, decided to write a book
It is called Real Tactics for Filing Your Disability Claim. Available on Amazon Kindle and Paperback.
I am very excited to bring this book into the world.
This book will teach you the “ins and outs” of filing your disability claim in language you can understand.
The goal is to help you not only file the claim but also to organize your file for a better-prepared claim.
Here is the cover! Bright, yellow and hopefully a book that will bring many good things to claimants out there!
I tried to keep the concepts as conversational and simple as I possibly could. Without the boring attorney language!
Just as you see it here on the blog.
Along with the book, I also offer my readers the ability to join an exclusive Facebook Group (you get the link inside the book).
In that reader’s group, you will be able to ask questions about the concepts or anything you don’t understand in the book.
So while most books will give you a lot of information, if you have any questions, the majority of those books will not provide you with the ability to ask questions.
You may be wondering, “Why would you write a book about filing for disability
if there are so many other books out there?”
For a very simple reason:
While there are excellent books about filing for disability out there, nearly half of them are written in a very complicated language. Or with concepts that in a practical standpoint, won’t help the claimant understand what actual steps they need to take to file.
Some of these books almost require a law degree to understand them. Others can put even an attorney to sleep!
And here is another thing most authors forget when writing for disability claimants:
The majority of claimants have issues with focus and concentration due to pain and/or medications. Which means, even if it’s an excellent book and you are “well-read”, you may not understand the concepts simply because you are unable to focus long enough to understand it.
By simplifying the language or making it more “conversational“, I noticed that claimants can better and easily understand the process.
At least this is my goal with my book Real Tactics For Filing Your Disability Claim.
The book is already published as an ebook on Amazon Kindle
Now, enough about my book.
I promised to give you
The 5 Best Books about filing for Social Security Disability
Here they are in order of quality of publication and content.
Note that some of these books may include the complicated attorney language I mentioned before. But they do explain the process very well if you can handle the number of pages.
Description:
I mean, it’s a Nolo published book. This is a well-known publisher for legal books. Even we attorneys frequently buy books from them when learning an area of practice. Or when we need additional textbooks to increase our knowledge of a subject.
So, if you are looking for a book with the backing of a high-quality publisher, this book is for you.
I also like how there is some emphasis on the medical part of the claim. Most books focus on explaining the listings but don’t get into the nitty-gritty of the medical records. I guess because the author is a doctor, he can explain that a lot better.
To learn more about records check my post about Medical Records in a Social Security Disability claim.
The Nolo book covers the entire process and not just the initial filing. Which is great if you wish to handle the entire claim yourself (not always recommended).
It’s over 400 pages long, so you know you are getting a lot of “bang” for your buck.
2. The Wilborn Method, Social Security Disability: A Step by Step Guide to Getting your Benefits: Initial Application Level.
Description:
A very nice book about the initial level.
The initial level is the most important part of the process because this is where the majority of claimants end up filing on their own. Either because they think they can’t afford an attorney, or because they talked to an attorney who said: “call me after you get denied“. So claimant’s see themselves “scrambling” to figure out how to file their claim without help.
This book will cover that initial level really well.
The other part I like in the book is the fact that it contains a checklist so people can keep track of the steps.
I am all for checklists and timelines.
You will also see that in my book Real Tactics For Filing Your Disability Claim where I include a downloadable “Nifty Checklist” so you can keep track of your claim and treatment.
The Wilborn Method was written by attorneys including a former Social Security Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).
This is great because you get the best of both worlds: An inside view from the attorney’s point of view. And it also brings the view of an ALJ and what judges look in a winning claim.
Had it been written only by an ALJ I would have been a little suspicious unless he represented claimants prior to becoming a judge.
Judges have a certain view of a case but don’t really know what happens in the lower levels as a representative would unless he himself represented claimants.
So here you get the best possible coverage because they all represented claimants too.
3. Navigating the Social Security Disability Maze: Written Exclusively for Disability Applicants (Volume 1)
Description:
This book, while not covering a step by step approach to the disability claim process, it is an excellent read.
You almost need to get this book along with another book about filing a disability claim.
This book was written by a former ALJ and he gives a very unique view of the disability process and what it takes to win. His emphasis on building “credibility” throughout the claim is “spot on” and yet this is one of the items most claimants don’t even realize is so important in a claim.
4. Gimme My SSA Disability!
Description:
Short and sweet. 78 pages only.
This book goes straight to the point without much “fluff“. I always liked a “straight shooter” book where you don’t have to fall asleep while trying to get to the point.
If you are looking for a quick way to file, this book is it. It also appears that the author is willing to answer some questions to readers of the book, which is quite nice.
5. Apply Right: How to apply for Social Security disability online the right way the first time!
Description: Great book if you are applying online. Good price and it briefly covers information about the entire filing process.
Final Thoughts
- When you purchase a book about Filing for Disability, always look for step by step information. Check for the description of the book too. If you fall asleep just reading the book blurb, don’t buy it. That means you will fall asleep while reading the book too.
- Price is important but so is the information. Remember, you get what you pay for. Too cheap and you may be buying a “crappy” book and wasting your money.
- If you like the book you just read and you feel others can benefit from it, leave a positive review. Explain why you gave a positive review. Indirectly, you could be helping other fellow disabled claimants find their way to getting benefits too. Count that as your “good deed” or “pay-it-forward” for that day.
- Look for access to information. Can you ask questions to the author? Is there an author Facebook page or group?
- Does the book offer worksheets, checklists or any other resources that enhance what the book has to offer?
I hope you find this article useful in your search to start the disability claim process.
Stay tuned for news and promos I am planning for my book Real Tactics For Filing Your Disability Claim.
Don’t forget to sign up for my Facebook Group Realtactics4disabilityclaimsVIPS. This is a group open to everyone to ask questions about the articles you see in this blog.
Check the group or sign up for my email list to receive news and updates about the blog and my newly released book!
Until next time,
