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Applying for Disability Benefits? Let us Help
The Social Security Disability process can seem overwhelming, especially if you are trying to navigate the system while you are ill or injured and worrying about how your family will survive without your income. Submitting an application without the proper supporting documentation or other mistakes can lead to a denial of your claim. In fact, 65% of initial applications are denied, as are 91% of applications submitted for reconsideration (the first-level appeal).
Understanding Social Security Disability Insurance
Social Security Disability (SSD) is a federally run program that provides financial benefits to individuals who are unable to work due to disability or illness. SSD benefits are paid only to individuals who suffer a total disability – no benefits are made to individuals who are only partially disabled, or whose disability is considered short-term. So what is total disability? Any illness or disability that is expected to last more than 12 months, or is expected to result in the applicant’s death, is considered a total disability.
- There are two types of disability programs. Both provide financial benefits to individuals unable to work as a result of their disability but, aside from the disability requirement, each has different eligibility requirements.
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): SSDI is funded through employee workplace contributions. In order to be eligible for SSDI, applicants must have worked a specific number of quarters within a specific number of years, in addition to being disabled. The work requirements vary depending on the applicant’s age and employment history.
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- Supplemental Security Income (SSI): SSI is limited to disabled individuals, the blind, or applicants age 65 and older, whose income and resources falls below a certain threshold, and/or do not meet SSDI work requirements. The amount of income and resources an applicant may have and still be eligible to receive SSI changes each year.
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The SSDI Application Process
The application is the first – and most critical – step in the SSD process. How it is completed, and how it is filed, can mean the difference between immediate approval or a denial that requires the applicant to go through the appeals process.
The Application
Each SSD claim begins with the application, which can be completed in person at your local disability determination field office, through the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) online application process, or over the phone. The specific circumstances of your case will dictate which application method is right for you.
Medical History
Central to your SSD application is providing documentation of your disability. The SSA maintains a list of more than 100 disabling conditions. There are very strict criteria an applicant must meet in order to be found to have one of these conditions. It is not enough to have your doctor or other medical provider submit a letter stating that you have a disability. Depending on the condition, the SSA may require the submission of MRIs, X-Rays, CT scans, genetic testing, or other specific tests that verify the severity of the disability. Submitting the wrong information can result in your application being denied and having to start the process over again.
Employment History
Because eligibility for SSDI is also dependent upon the applicant’s work history, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information regarding your employment history. Omitting any portion of your work history, no matter how minor, may mean the difference between approval or denial of your application.
Financial History
If you are applying for SSI, you will need to submit information on your income and resources. The amount of monthly income an SSI applicant may receive and still be eligible for benefits changes each year. The resource limit is $2,000, though are certain assets that are not included as a resource for SSI purposes. An experienced SSD attorney will review your finances and help determine whether you meet SSI’s financial eligibility requirements.
Don’t let mistakes derail your SSDI application
With two-thirds of all first-time applications for SSD denied, it is important that your SSD application be complete and accurate from the get-go. Denial of your application means a delay in receiving vital benefits for you and your family as you go through the lengthy appeals process. Our attorneys handle only SSD cases, so we know what information is most likely to result in your application being approved. Hiring an attorney before you file your SSD application can significantly increase your chances of approval, which means you can stop worrying about your finances and instead focus on your health.
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Disability Law FAQ | Recent Articles and Videos
Who Determines Disability and How?
If you are unable to work due to a disability, you may be considering applying for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits to provide a source of income. People who apply for disability usually have many questions and knowing the answers can help make the application process a little less stressful.
How to Get Your Medical Records When Applying for Disability Benefits
The majority of social security disability applications are denied for insufficient medical information. Getting your medical records isn’t difficult, but there are some things to know ahead of time to make the process easier.
How to Apply for SSDI While Receiving LTD Benefits
If you’re currently receiving long term disability (LTD) benefits due to a disability or medical condition, you likely have questions about whether you can also receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). In fact, you’ve likely been told that continued eligibility for long-term disability benefits is contingent upon your applying for SSDI. Although the purpose of long-term disability and SSDI benefits are the same – to provide a source of income [...]
Why You Should Tell Your Doctor You’re Filing for Disability
The most common reason the Social Security Administration denies social security disability applications is for medical reasons. Medical denials happen for two reasons:  Insufficient medical evidence to support the social security disability claim Inadequate documentation of how the disability impacts your ability to work  Telling your doctor you intend to apply for social security disability benefits can help decrease the chance of a medical denial. Ideally, this conversation [...]
SSD Benefits: Things You Should Know After Your Application is Approved
Watch a short video and see a summary of many blog posts on the topic of SSD benefits and what to expect after you have applied and been approved to receive SSD benefits.
Illiteracy, Limited Education and Applying for SSD Benefits
The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a set of rules known commonly as grid rules to help determine if you qualify for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. These rules help SSA application evaluators make a correct decision on SSD eligibility. These grid rules often have several factors that impact eligibility and the maximum sustained work capability or residual functional capacity (RFC) of applicants, including your age, education level and skill level. Thanks [...]
How to Prepare for a SSI/SSD Psychological Exam
Over the past couple of decades, there has been a shift in regard to the management and overall stigma of psychiatric disability. As the professional community and the general public begin to learn more about mental health and the potential implications, greater awareness has lead to greater support. Currently, approximately 20% of adults who receive Social Security Disability(SSD) benefits have a psychiatric/psychological disability. If you plan on applying for Social [...]
What Are Medical Source Statements And How Do They Affect Your SSD Benefits?
An application for social security disability (SSD) benefits will only be approved if the claimant’s medical record supports both his disability and the negative impact the disability has on his ability to engage in substantial gainful activity. A medical source statement from the claimant’s physician is, in many cases, one of the most important pieces of evidence proving the negative impact an applicant’s disability has on his ability to work.
What Are the Age Categories for SSD Benefits?
Disabled workers can qualify for Social Security Disability benefits after they turn 18, if they meet other eligibility criteria. Many applicants in Chicago believe this is the only way age affects their claims. However, the Social Security Administration uses age categories and age-based assumptions to evaluate whether a person qualifies for a medical-vocational allowance. If a person does not qualify for disability benefits by meeting an impairment listing, the person’s [...]
