How to Become a Certified Disability Advocate

Becoming a disability advocate can be a very rewarding work-at-home job. Though there is a system in place through Social Security and State Disability Programs to provide disabled people with financial benefits when they can't work, many people are denied these benefits. A disability advocate can provide a service to those people who otherwise don't have adequate representation when filing for financial benefits due to a disability.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Internet access
• Home office
• Phone
• Fax/copier

1. Get training. The very first step in becoming a certified disability advocate is to get education in the field. There are several private companies that offer a training kit that you can use at home to become an advocate. While this may be helpful, it's not necessary to purchase such a kit. Other options for training include joining an established company that offers the service and work under them as an advocate.

2. Meet the requirements. The Social Security Administration has a publication called Your Right to Representation, which outlines the specific requirements of becoming a disability advocate. This publication also covers the rights of the person filing for disability insurance, which is information crucial to becoming certified as an advocate.

3. Choose a specialty. Disability advocates have some options when it comes to what type of advocacy to specialize in. Social Security benefits are one area in which there is a strong need for representation. Many times people apply for Social Security benefits but are denied, even though they have a real need for the income. Another area of specialty includes state disability insurance benefits in which an employee can't work due to either a physical or a mental disability.

4. Set up your home office. Being a disability advocate means working out of your home, even if you work for another company. You'll need to make sure you have a place in your home from which to work. Be prepared to use a computer with Internet access, a phone, a fax machine and a copier. There is quite a bit of paperwork involved in working as an advocate; be prepared to organize and manage the case file paperwork on behalf of the client.

Resources

• US disability advocates online.