Disability should not stop you from living a normal life, especially if you’ve paid enough Social Security insurance when you were still capable of earning. The government offers programs that aim to repay your contribution—specifically through Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The latter, however, is intended to help those who may not meet the minimum contribution amount, yet meet certain requirements determined by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
An article for Nolo.com discusses disability and the grounds upon which a disabled person can become eligible for benefits.
“How the SSA Defines Disability
A crucial part of claiming benefits under either Social Security program is proving that you are severely disabled — that is, that you have a physical or mental condition that prevents you from doing any substantial gainful activity and will last at least one year or will cause your death.
The determination of whether you are disabled leaves a lot of room for argument. The fact that your doctor may have advised you not to work, or that you feel too ill to work, does not necessarily mean that the SSA will agree that you are disabled.
The SSA evaluates disability using its own medical experts, based on a list of physical and mental conditions contained in its regulations. These are available on the SSA’s website, at www.ssa.gov (search for “Listing of Impairments”). Be prepared: these listings are highly complex and full of medical terminology.”
Determining a person’s disability eligibility after application is a long process that involves a series of interviews and bulky paperwork. Some applications last for up to 120 days. The quickest way to succeed is to hire an experienced lawyer.
A skilled Social Security disability lawyer can help you with the paperwork, but more importantly, provide proper representation. Someone who is well-versed in the disability application process like those at Jan Dils Attorneys at Law can smooth out any issues that might prolong the wait for your well-deserved benefits. In case your initial application has been denied, they can also help you make an appeal.
If you have additional questions about Social Security Disability benefits, call Jan Dils Attorneys at Law for an expert consultation. We have an experienced team of disability attorneys, and one of our representatives will be happy to answer your questions. If you’d prefer to contact us online, please fill out this form and we will respond to you shortly. You can even take our SSDI eligibility quiz to learn if qualify.
