- Will SSDI replace all my lost income?
- What is the difference between Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits?
- Can I receive SSDI if I have money and assets?
- How long does it take to receive SSDI benefits?
- If I can't afford a doctor, how can I prove my medical condition?
- What should I do if my doctor won't support my claim of disability?
- What should I do if Social Security denies my application?
- What should I do if I didn't file my appeal within sixty days and still want to appeal?
- What should I do if SSA does not allow my late appeal?
- Can I earn income while I am receiving SSDI benefits?
- Does the fact that I have been on Temporary Total Disability under Workers' Compensation help prove my claim?
- How can an attorney help me?
- What does an attorney charge?
- How do you qualify for benefits?
[No, it is more of a "safety net" and will pay monthly benefits to you based upon the amount of money that you have paid into the system through employment taxes.
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[Social Security Disability is a disability insurance program financed by your Social Security paycheck deductions. You have a minimum amount of total or recent work time to be eligible for Social Security Disability. S.S.I. requires no work time at all, but there are limits as to how much property you can own or money you can keep in the bank. With both programs, you must be found disabled.
That is interpreted as being unable to perform any substantial Gainful Activity. The Social Security Administration rules both programs.]
[SSDI benefits are not based on financial need and therefore your assets and passive, unearned income are not relevant. As long as you meet quarters worked requirements and SSA determines that you are totally disabled, you are eligible.
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[If your claim is among the approximately one-third of claims that are approved initially, the process should take just a few months. For most people, however, the appeal process must be used to secure benefits.
If your claim must proceed to the hearing stage at the Office of Hearings and Appeals, it may be a year before a payment begin after a successful appeal.]
[Medical reports are extremely important in proving your disability. While you can ask that the Social Security Administration provide doctors for "consultative exams", these are a poor substitute for the reports of a treating physician. If you cannot afford a doctor, perhaps you may be able to obtain treatment through a hospital clinic or county health services.
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[Any decision you make should first take into account what is best for you from a medical care standpoint. However, it may be wise to consult with another doctor as you treating doctor's opinion is extremely important in your claim.]
[You should seek legal counsel regarding your chances on appeal. If you feel that an appeal is proper, you should obtain the proper forms and file your appeal within the sixty days allowed from the date of the decision. Either hand deliver the appeal and obtain a date stamped copy or send it by certified mail, return receipt requested.]
[You generally have 60 days to submit an appeal after receiving a denial notice and may be allowed five extra days for the mailing to get to you. Under certain circumstances the SSA will accept a late appeal for "good cause". Some reasons the SSA may consider a "good cause" for filing a late appeal are diminished mental capacity or state, hospitalization, lost mail, etc. However, do not delay even one day in filing you appeal and explanation letter for the later filing.]
[If you feel that your claim is meritorious, by all means immediately file a new claim.]
[When your benefits start you will be advised by SSA about your duty to report future work and its affect on your benefits. Generally, SSA does not consider earnings under $500.00 per month as substantial. However, any ability to earn money by working could possibly be used against you. The closer the amount is to $720 per month, the greater the risk that SSA will decide you are capable of working.]
[No, as the definition of TTD under workers' compensation is not the same as for SSDI. You may receive TTD under workers' compensation if you are treating and unable to perform the regular employment. SSDI requires that you are unable to perform any suitable gainful employment.]
[An attorney can help you fill out the paperwork, especially helping you to handle Social Security's "trick" questions.
An attorney can go with you to interviews and hearings conducted by Social Security.
An attorney can supply your doctor with copies of the medical regulations relied upon by Social Security in making its decisions, so your doctor will write your letter in their recommended language.
Your attorney will review any evidence which is against your claim, and attempt to rebute it.
Your attorney will review your doctor's testimony with him or her prior yo any hearing.
There are other things an attorney can do, but the most important thing is that with an attorney, the odds turn in your favor.]
[Nothing unless you win, then a percentage of your retroactive benefits.
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[According to the Social Security regulations, claimants must prove that they are unable to perform work activity because of a mental or physical disability which lasts or is expected to last at least 12 consecutive months. To meet this definition, individuals must be unable to perform their past work and any other work available in the national economy]
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