Many who are unable to work because of a physical or mental disability are eligible for Social Security Disability Benefits. If you are elibible, there are ways to speed up the process and improve your chances of being approved.
Introduction
If you have worked for the better part of your life and have recently become incapacitated and unable to work, you may be frustrated and scared. You may even wonder if you will be able to support yourself and your family. If you wonder if there is any help for you, you may be in luck as help is available, if you qualify.
Social Security Disability Benefits are designed to help people who have become disabled and are not able to work. However, to reduce the chances that people who are able to work will abuse these benefits, the Social Security Administration has set the qualification criteria for disability benefit programs very strict and specific. This article discusses when, where, and how to apply for Social Security Disability Benefits and offers some suggestions on how to improve your chances of qualifying for these benefits.
Quick Facts About the Process
SSA Definition of Disability
In order to ensure that abuse of the program does not occur the Social Security Administration has defined disability, for the purposes of determining eligibility, as:
"You must be unable to do any substantial work because of your medical condition(s); and
Your medical condition(s) must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least one year, or be expected to result in your death." (Social Security Administration).
When and Where to Apply
Social Security disability benefits are not available until you have been disabled for six full months. After this period you are able to apply for benefits. You can apply online or at your local Social Security Branch Office. If you are unable to travel other options may be provided such as a phone interview or a home visit.
How Long It Takes
It will take anywhere from three to five months to determine if you are eligible for assistance. However, if it is decided that you do qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits then you will be paid from the first full month after you filed your claim. You will receive back payments for the months that you were eligible for benefits, once it is decided that you are eligible.
Other Disability Insurance
Many people wonder how qualifying for benefits under a private disability insurance differs from qualifying for benefits from a Social Security Disability Program. The main difference is that private insurance companies will pay benefits to you even if you are only partially disabled, or only disabled for a short period of time. Social Security Disability benefits, on the other hand, require you to be completely disabled for at least one year in order to receive benefits. Also, even if you qualify for long-term disability benefits from your private insurance, it does not guarantee that you will qualify for Social Security Disability. Furthermore, if you do qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, once you start receiving payments from this agency, the amount will reduce how much your private insurance company will pay you.
What Programs Are Available
There are two programs available for people who qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. The first program is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and the second program is Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for people with little or no income and resources.