If you are not certain if you will qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits (SSDI), you might need to learn some more about this program and how it might help you. If you have been injured at work or have become ill and can no longer support yourself, you could be eligible for SSDI or SSI benefits. These two programs were created to help Americans who can no longer work due to circumstances that they could not control.
SSDI and SSI are different programs and they were created for differing needs related to this kind of support. As a general rule of thumb, those who have been working will access benefits through SSDI while those who are minors or who have never worked but need care and support will get benefits through SSI.
If you have more questions about the reasons that you might be able to apply for Social Security Disability Benefits, you need to keep reading.
How do I Qualify for SSDI?
To be able to access SSDI benefits, you need to meet two specific criteria. You need to have worked for a specified amount of time doing a job that pays into the Social Security program and you need to have a medical condition that meets the Social Security Administration’s definition for those who are disabled. There is a table that is used to help figure out if you meet the work-related criterion for the access of these benefits. The medical portion of the qualification process is decided by looking at medical records and doctor’s evaluations related to your condition.
No matter which kind of specific medical condition or conditions you have, you will need to be able to show that the medical condition meets these requirements:
- You are unable to do other jobs
- You are unable to work as you did before you became disabled
- You have a disability that will last for more than a year or that might lead to your death
SSDI is a program that is intended to be used for total disability only. It cannot be accessed if you are working part-time or if you are able to work in a new career that is different from your current job. There are no short-term SSDI benefits either. This is a program that is intended for your long-term support after an accident or an illness and it cannot be accessed for temporary conditions.
If you are looking to see if you qualify for SSI, the medical requirements will be the same, but you will not be assessed related to your prior work history. If you have never worked, or if the person in question is a minor who has become disabled, the benefits process is more closely tied to medical diagnosis and evaluation. If the person in question is never going to be able to be employed, SSI benefits are determined based on the severity of the medical condition and the level of support needed to provide living arrangements and other care.
What if I Am Denied Benefits?
There are some reasons that you might have been denied benefits that cannot be corrected. If you are working at the time of your application, you are not a US citizen, or your condition is not going to be a factor for more than 12 months, you will not qualify for SSDI or SSI benefits. Other denial reasons are more likely to be linked with things like errors in paperwork, problems with incorrectly submitted documents or missing documents, and a lack of supporting information for your claim.
When you have been denied for reasons related to errors in your application, a lawyer can help you to sort out the documentation problems that occurred and get your case looked at again. This is a complex kind of application to work on, and it can be beneficial to have a lawyer’s support from the beginning of your application process. Trying to care for your benefits process alone can be very overwhelming and not everyone can handle this kind of demand.
Make sure that you have all the right medical documentation, all the information about the limitations of your ability to work, and information about your current living arrangement in the file that is submitted to the Social Security Administration. When the details are all there, a determination can be made quickly and accurately to get you the support that you need. Waiting to file or forgetting to do parts of the process will likely lead to a denial and delay of your benefits that you might not be able to afford. There is no reason to go through this process blindly, and getting a legal team working on your case is almost always the best solution for this kind of need.
Working With a Skilled Disability Lawyer Matters
If you have been hurt while you are on the job, or have fallen ill and cannot work anymore, you need to secure the help of an experienced disability lawyer for your application and case creation process. There is no one-size-fits-all disability award, and securing the maximum disability support that you deserve is important for your well-being. If you are not sure how to go about applying for SSDI or SSI, or you think that your claim needs to be adjusted to include new case details, you need to work with a lawyer who knows about these kinds of cases inside and out.
Working with a skilled legal team can make the difference between getting the award that you need and not being able to care for yourself or your family properly. There is no need to suffer without the care and award that will make your situation better and more comfortable. Working with a legal team who is familiar with these kinds of cases can make securing the award that you need for your health and happiness much easier.
Contact us today at POAG Disability Law for help with your SSDI/SSI benefits application and claims.
