When you become disabled due to an illness or condition, you can lose your ability to work and earn a living for yourself and your family. Thankfully, Social Security Disability Insurance is in place to help individuals with disability replace the lost income. It can be done by filing a Social Security Disability Insurance or SSDI claim.
However, bringing a disability claim to the Social Security Administration can be challenging and complicated since there are many things to consider. Hence, the process can be confusing if you’re filing a claim for the first time.
To help you navigate the process, here’s a quick guide to Social Security Disability claims you should be aware of.
How Does The Social Security Disability Insurance Work?
As mentioned, Social Security Disability insurance is designed to help individuals with a disability cope with the financial loss associated with their inability to work. Those people who are eligible for the insurance may file a claim to receive financial benefits to support themselves and their families.
Moreover, it’s essential to know that the Social Security Disability insurance funds come from the payroll taxes that every worker pays to the organization. It is one reason the insurance program requires a minimum number of work credits from the workers before they can qualify for the financial benefits.
What Are The Qualification Requirements For Filing An SSDI Claim?
Like other insurance claims, you must meet the eligibility requirements before filing an SSDI claim. Otherwise, your claim may be denied, which prevents you from receiving the financial benefits you deserve.
To improve your chances of getting your SSDI claim approved, you should get familiar with the following qualification requirements:
- You need at least 40 work credits, 20 of which should be earned within ten years before receiving SSDI benefits.
- Your income shouldn’t exceed a certain amount, approximately USD$1,350 each month, to be eligible for the benefits.
- You should have a medical condition that falls under the Social Security Administration’s criteria for disability. You can check out some reliable websites and similar platforms to learn more about the list of qualifying conditions for SSDI claims list.
- Your condition or disability has prevented you from doing or completing certain activities that you need for your work, which is considered a substantial gainful activity by the SSA, for at least 12 months. Generally, a job can be regarded as substantial if it involves performing specific mental or physical tasks or a combination of both.
How Can You File A Social Security Disability Insurance Claim?
As an applicant, it’s also essential to know the steps involved in filing an SSDI claim. These can include:
- Ask your doctor to provide a medical report stating your medical condition and the list of treatments and medications you need to take. Make sure the medical documents support your claim that you have a condition that can be considered a disability under the rules provided for by SSA.
- After gathering all the documents, you need to complete an application form and submit them to SSA. You can choose to either apply online or in person. If you decide to apply in person, you have to go to their office and submit all the documents to the officer-in-charge. Also, the officer may make some observations about your application by checking your appearance, grooming, behavior, and health condition.
- Once the application is submitted, the officer-in-charge will check all the documents and assess your claim. This process can take many months, so you have to prepare yourself. If your SSDI claim is approved or denied, the SSA will notify you as soon as possible. But if your claim isn’t granted, you may need to seek a Social Security Disability lawyer to appeal your case to reverse the decision in your favor.
Indeed, there are many steps involved when filing an SSDI claim. But realistically speaking, applying for the claim doesn’t mean automatic approval. Given the eligibility requirements and individual circumstances of your case, there’s still a high chance your claim will be denied.
So, to minimize that risk, working with a disability attorney from start to finish may be an excellent idea. Having them by your side can improve the speed of your Social Disability claim by helping you prepare all the documentation. Also, include everything in your documentation to strengthen your case and ensure a positive outcome. When you have everything ready, you can streamline the application process. Lastly, stay on top of your claim by consistently following up. That way, you can help them expedite their working process on your case.
Conclusion
Dealing with a disability can be frustrating, mainly if it affects your ability to earn an income. Fortunately, by filing a Social Disability claim with SSA, you may receive benefits to cover the lost income caused by your disability. But it should be noted that filing a claim can be tricky if you’re new to the system. So, if you need help with the claims process, keep this guide in mind, and you’ll know how to navigate your disability claim more efficiently.