Help in Hand: You Could Be Eligible for Social Security Disability Benefits
Many people don’t apply for Social Security Disability, yet they qualify for it. So here is some information to help you understand whether you’re eligible and some basic steps to get the ball rolling.
The Basic Process
The basic process includes an application for disability benefits. It starts in a local Social Security Administration field office and state agencies. These offices, called Disability Determination Services, will be your first stop in the claims processing process.
If you are denied benefits, you may appeal here too, and your case will be reviewed by an administrative law judge in the SSA’s Office of Disability Adjudication Review.
During the initial, and any subsequent, reviews, the SSA will attempt to determine your eligibility for benefits.
Basic Eligibility Requirements
In general, you must be unable to perform substantial work. Substantial work means earning more than a certain amount. Currently, this means making over $1,090 per month. For self-employed people, there are other tests the Social Security Administration uses to determine if you’re gainfully employed.
Unfortunately, it’s a lot harder than it sounds, and according to specialists like Riddle & Brantley, many misinformed people are denied a benefit claim when they may actually have a disability that would prevent them from working.
photo by photoSteve101 via Flickr
To qualify for benefits, you must show medical records that contain evidence of a physical or mental impairment. These disabilities must prevent you from working at any job. You must also show that the disability would prevent you from returning to work within the year, and that you’re unable to do any work – even if it’s only part-time.
For a physical impairment, the SSA will decide whether you can do medium, light, or sedentary work by looking at the functional limitations in your medical records. For example, if you’re unable to do physical work for more than 2 hours a day, it must state this in your medical record.
Another example might be a limitation that prevents you from lifting more than 20 pounds.
For psychological disabilities, the SSA will assess whether you can understand and remember instructions, maintain attention, and concentrate on tasks. The SSA will determine whether you can do semi-skilled, or totally unskilled, work.
The Social Security Disability Determination
When a determination is made, a determination of benefits is also made along with the basic eligibility determination.
The Claims Representative
Your claims representative’s job is to review your medical record and determine if you’re eligible for benefits. If you’re not, the SSA will not pay a claim. However, there are several steps in the review process you need to be aware of.
First, there is a preliminary check. This is where the representative checks your eligibility for SSDI or SSI. There is a substantial work test in which you are assessed as to your ability to work at all. A submission to DDS is where you must submit medical records and undergo an evaluation for benefits.
If you have a terminal illness, you may qualify for expedited claim approval.
If Your Claim Is Denied
If your claim is denied, you may appeal, but the process is often long and arduous. Most people hire a lawyer who specializes in Social Security Disability to help them navigate the legal waters of the appeals process.
Guest Author :
Harold Jackson is a veteran of financial planning and enjoys being able to share his thoughts online. His insights can be found on a number of personal finance related websites.
[…] Help in Hand: You Could Be Eligible for Social Security Disability Benefits – It starts in a local Social Security Administration field office and state agencies. These offices, called Disability Determination Services, will be your first stop in the claims processing process. If you are denied benefits, you may appeal here too … […]
[…] Help in Hand: You Could Be Eligible for Social Security Disability Benefits – Many people don’t apply for Social Security Disability, yet they qualify for it. So here is some information to help you understand whether you’re eligible and some basic steps to get the ball rolling. The Basic … […]
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