2022 Tips When Working Towards Social Security Disability Insurance
People who have worked their entire lives count on their income to make ends meet. When they suddenly can’t work because of a disabling condition, including injuries or illnesses, they realize that paying for their expenses will be impossible. The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) system is one option that some people can count on when they can’t work. Certain qualifications come with this program. The experienced team at the Law Offices of Terri D. Mason can help you apply for SSDI, including any appeals you must go through.
Ensure You Qualify for SSDI
One of the most important tips for applying for disability is ensuring you qualify. This program is for people who have worked for at least five years out of the last 10. The Social Security Administration (SSA) utilizes a work credit system to ensure people qualify.
You must have 40 work credits, 20 of which you earned within the last five years. You can earn a total of four credits per year. You earn each credit when your wages equal a specific amount. That amount changes annually.
Applicants must have an injury or illness expected to last at least 12 months, or that will result in their death. The condition must prevent them from being able to do work to earn a living for at least 12 months.
The process for SSDI is lengthy, so anyone who’s facing this should try to prepare for a marathon. Your SSDI attorney can help you discover more about what to expect during the process.
How to Apply for Disability Insurance
Most people file for SSDI online, but others choose to fill out a paper application. Regardless of how you fill out the application, you must ensure that you report your comprehensive medical history. The SSA is going to need ample information to determine your benefits.
The SSA maintains a list of conditions that can go through an expedited approval process. These conditions are so severe that it’s unlikely that the person will survive the usual approval process. It’s known as the Compassionate Allowances List. If your application contains one of the conditions on the list, it will be flagged to go through the expedited process.
You must fill out the application. Gathering documents about your medical care and having your medications handy can help to make this easier. You’ll also need to include information about why medical conditions prevent you from working.
Prepare for the Medical Evaluation
People who apply for SSDI need to see a doctor the SSA chooses for an evaluation. The doctor might not be in a specialty that has to do with your condition, so you should go in prepared to explain everything at length about what’s going on with you.
Some people forget that the doctor will need to know what medications they’re taking—bring those with you to make it easier to report. You may also consider getting a list with the name of the medication and the dosing information.
It’s also a good idea to discuss the side effects you experience from those medications, especially if the side effects have an impact on being able to have substantial gainful activity. The doctor you see will decide about SSDI medical exam approval and send the information to the SSA. The agency uses that information to determine your application.
Hire Qualified Social Security Disability Attorneys
Most people applying for SSDI get denied at first, which triggers the need to appeal the decision. Our SSDI lawyers in Baltimore can help you with the appeal process, which is time sensitive.
SSDI attorneys work on a contingency basis, so you don’t have to pay money upfront. You’ll know the fees from the start — limited by law. Give Law Offices of Terri D. Mason a call today to find out how we can help you as you apply for SSDI benefits.