When Are You Eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance?
Posted by admin on Jun 5, 2009
Q: When is a person eligible for social security disability?
A: You can apply for social security disability benefits when you can no longer work, due to your condition. You are eligible if your injury will keep you from working for at least 12 months. As it often takes months for an initial decision to be made regarding a claim, make sure to submit your application for social security disability insurance as early as you can. You can apply for back payments for benefits, if you are approved for social security disability benefits. Regardless of how quickly your application is processed, you will not be able to receive benefits until 6 months after your date of onset. You cannot receive back payments for that waiting period.
Q: Where do I submit an application for social security disability benefits?
A: To submit a claim for social security disability, first contact your local Social Security office or apply online via the main Social Security web site. An interview with your claims representative will be scheduled. That interview can be done in person or via telephone. That representative will walk you through the required forms and make sure you have submitted everything for your claim. If you are unsure if you qualify for SSDI (social security disability insurance) or SSI (supplemental security income), your claims rep can help you. That representative can assist you with any submission for retroactive payments of social security disability, if applicable.
Q: Are there steps I can take that might help the chances that I will be awarded social security disability benefits?
A: A fair number of applications for social security benefits are not approved. But there are many things you can do to increase the chances that your claim is awarded. The first task is to simply make sure you applied correctly and completely. By staying in touch with your claims representative, you can easily know if anything required is missing. Having a supportive doctor who is willing to be your advocate can also help bolster your social security disability case. A detailed letter about your condition written by your treating physician is an asset to your file. The third thing you can do is to make sure your most recent medical records have been submitted for your claim. The main reason most social security disability applications are postponed is because of a wait on medical records. Lastly, be cooperative, meet deadlines and check in on your file. Finally, make sure you do not miss deadlines for paperwork, keep in touch with your claim representative to know where your file is in the process and always be courteous (no matter how frustrated you may get at times.)
Should A Claimant Hire a Social Security Attorney for the Hearing Process?
Posted by admin on May 25, 2009
Q: How long do you have to be out of work before you can apply for social security disability benefits?
A: It is the most advantageous to apply for benefits as soon as possible after the onset of your condition. Should your application receive approval, you cannot actually collect your first payment until you are into the sixth month of your injury (social security will determine an “onset” date for your injury). The date of onset is when you had to stop working because of the injury. But the review process for an application takes an average of at least 90 days. So, if you wait to apply, you can expect delays in receiving your first payment. A claimant is entitled to back payments of benefits. The eligibility waiting period will not be included in those retroactive benefits payments. But the longer you wait to apply, the longer you wait for your first check. If you are confused about when or how to apply for disability insurance, it may be beneficial to speak with a social security attorney.
Q: Can you receive Medicaid and social security disability?
A: A person who is approved for social security disability insurance (SSDI) is eligible for Medicare. Medicare cannot begin until 2 years have past since the onset date of the injury, in addition to the required waiting period (5 months) an individual had to wait to begin receiving SSDI benefits. An individual who receives SSI benefits is eligible to apply for Medicaid. For individuals who receive concurrent benefits from SSDI and SSI for a time, the line between eligibility for Medicaid versus Medicare can get blurry. Those claimants should contact their social security representative to find out more information about applying for Medicare or Medicaid. If you believe you are eligible for certain benefits and have not been approved, you may wish to seek counsel from a social security attorney.
Q: Do you need a social security attorney if you plan to appeal your claim?
A: You do not need a social security attorney to apply for disability insurance, have your case reconsidered or appeal for a hearing. If your initial application is denied and you plan to appeal for reconsideration, however, you may wish to hire a lawyer. Most cases that are reconsidered are denied and are then appealed to be heard before an administrative judge. Most cases that are approved after they are heard before a judge are represented by a social security attorney. It is extremely beneficial to have an advocate like a social security attorney on your side, as the hearing is your last chance to present your case.
Common Questions for Social Security Lawyer
Posted by admin on Mar 29, 2009
Q: When should I expect to actually start receiving benefits payments for SSDI?
A: You are not eligible to start receiving social security disability benefits until you have been injured for five months. You will really begin receiving payments the sixth month after the onset date of injury, since benefits are paid a month after they are due. If you have been awarded retroactive benefits, most claimants receive those payments in about 60 days. Remember that you will not receive retroactive benefits for the aforementioned five months you must wait to be eligible for benefits. If you have any questions regarding backpay or the length of time it is taking for you to receive your benefits, it may be wise to speak with a social security lawyer.
Q: Will your dependents also receive disability payments?
A: Yes, your dependents might qualify for disability benefits too. Unmarried children under the age of 18 are eligible. If your child is a student, he is eligible until he turns 19. If your husband or wife is 62 or older, he or she might be eligible for benefits. At any age your husband or wife may be eligible if he or she is providing financial support to your children that are under the age of 17. The payments your eligible dependents can get each month may be up to 50 percent of your benefits rate. Contact a social security lawyer, if you have any concerns about eligibility or applying for disability benefits for any of your family members.
Q: When you are currently receiving social security disability payments and your file is reviewed, what does it mean?
A: Your file will be periodically reviewed even after you receive benefits. A diary or schedule of when reviews should be conducted is established when you are awarded benefits and is based on the factors of your individual case. Most reviews are usually conducted every one, three, and seven years. Many state social security agencies have a bit of a review logjam right now, which means that many reviews are not happening on the one, three, seven year timeline. Because of that, you should be ready for a review at any time. Your file is reviewed periodically to assure that the most recent details about your condition are noted. Disability examiners are interested in determining whether your injury has improved, worsened or remains the same. If you are concerned about the results of a recent review of your file, it may be wise to seek the counsel of a social security lawyer. The experience and knowledge of a social security lawyer can be invaluable, if you are worried about losing social security disability benefits due to changes in your condition or employment.