Template Tips When Writing a Dire Need Letter For SSD Benefits

The application process for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is complicated and time-consuming. On average you will wait months before you know whether you have been approved, or denied. If your claim is rejected and under disability appeal, it can take months just waiting for your hearing to be scheduled.

However, if you experience changes to your financial situation caused by delays, a Dire need letter can often help speed up the process. Here we explain what a Dire Need Letter is and how it can help expedite your disability benefits appeal.

What is a Dire Need Letter?

In most cases, the SSA does not consider your financial status when you file for disability insurance. However, if your claim has been delayed because you are waiting for a hearing before an administrative law judge your situation is different. As a result, you can send a “dire need letter” explaining why you require payment quickly.

The Dire Need Letter allows you to request faster processing because you are experiencing dire financial circumstances. You can present your circumstances such as foreclosure on your home, or being unable to pay for medications or treatment.

When Do Dire Need Letters Work?

It is certainly worth composing and sending a dire need disability appeal Letter if you are facing a serious situation such as homelessness. However, the SSA does have an obligation to consider cases where claimants are unable to not just retain shelter, but also pay for basic necessities including food, utilities, and medical care. Typical dire need cases include:

• Unable to buy food
• Unable to access medicine or medical care due to lack of funds, insurance or other resources
• Unsafe living conditions such as having no heat, hot water or electricity due to unpaid bills
• Threats of eviction or foreclosure
• Already being homeless or reaching the limitation on staying at a shelter

It is best to send your letter before you find yourself homeless or your health is at risk while waiting on your SSD appeal.

How To Write A Dire Need Letter

An effective dire need letter contains all the relevant details and confirmation of those details explaining why you require your appeal scheduled sooner. Your letter should concisely outline your financial hardships including:

• Which bills are owing such as utilities
• How far behind you are on those bills
• Proof you can’t pay your mortgage and how far away you are from foreclosure
• Proof you can’t pay your rent, with proof of threat of eviction
• Outstanding medical treatments you are unable to schedule due to financial difficulties
• List of medications you can’t afford but require to maintain health or even avoid death
• A list of critical expenses outstanding and how this will impact your life such as repossession of a vehicle you need to get to medical appointments

Although it is not required you include specific evidence supporting your claim of dire need, the more details you provide of, and the more proof you have of your finances the better chance there is your letter will be considered. It is also important to keep in mind that if the SSA discovers evidence you are not in a dire situation, you will be required to prove your situation.

What to Include with Your Letter

Providing all relevant documentation is also important to see results. This includes:

• Copies of past-due notices
• Threats of eviction
• Proof of foreclosure proceedings
• Proof of unscheduled treatments
• A list of medications with outstanding prescriptions you can’t fill

All of these documents will further support your case.

Where to Send Your Dire Need Letter

You can send your letter to the nearest ODAR office as well as to the SSA. In some cases, it can also be helpful to send a letter or make a call to your local senator or congressman. It doesn’t hurt to send a copy to creditors, so they are aware of your situation and understand why you are unable to pay your bills.

Dire Need Letter Template

A standard template for your dire need letter should include the following:

{Your Name}

{Your Address}

{Your Phone Number}

{Financial Institution Name}

{Address}

{Phone Number}

ATTN: {contact person}

{Date}

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to request consideration as a person in critical need for my Social Security disability. I require my claim to be processed as a dire need case because I cannot afford food, medicine, or shelter. I am attaching (list your attachments) to prove my circumstances are critical.

My circumstances are becoming worse, and I am unable to (list your limitations and challenges). I require funds as soon as possible so I can (explain why you need the money).

I thank you in advance for your kind consideration and look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,

Your Name

How Will a Dire Need Letter Help?

Although a dire need letter won’t guarantee your case is moved up, it will set the balls in motion to revisit your case. This could result in an expedited hearing, but could also generally help reduce the amount of time involved for your claim to result in payments by as much as a few months. It is well worth your effort to send the letter to see if you qualify for a reduced wait time. It can be the one thing that saves you from losing your home or missing important medications and treatments that contribute to your recovery or extend your life.

If you are uncertain how to write and submit your dire need letter, disability advocates can help. They will review your case, look at why your claim was denied, and put together all the necessary files and documents to accompany your dire need letter. They will also follow up on your behalf to help speed up the process.

Schedule a free consultation. We fight for your right to receive disability insurance. Claimants are twice as likely to win by having an advocate.