Being denied Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) does not mean you are permanently disqualified from gaining acceptance into the program. You have the right to appeal your claim denial and convince the decision makers at SSDI that you are indeed eligible and in need of financial assistance.
Why Is Your SSDI Claim Denied?
There are multiple reasons why you get denied Social Security Disability insurance. You may feel that your need for SSDI is reasonable, but the Social Security Administration (SSA) reviewers may disagree and deny your claim. The reasons for denial include the following:
- Current income is over the limit of substantial gainful activity (SGA)
- Cause of disability is short-term or not severe enough
- Refusal to cooperate with the SSA
- Failure to follow therapy as prescribed by your physician
- Disability is the result of drug or alcohol use
- Convicted of a felony or have committed fraud
You will get an initial denial if any of these issues apply to your situation. However, you should still learn how to appeal SSDI denial because you may still be able to get benefits or prevent your eventual SSDI or retirement benefits from decreasing.
What To Do Before You Make an Appeal
Before you appeal, talk to disability lawyers in MD and let them help you determine the reason(s) why you are in claim denial. It can take years for the disability appeal process to play out. Putting your case in the hands of a lawyer with experience in SSDI denials ultimately helps you improve your chances of getting accepted into the program.
Four Levels of the SSD Appeal Process
After your initial SSDI claim denial, you can appeal the decision through several steps. Here is what you can expect from the four levels of the disability appeal process.
Reconsideration
You have 60 days from the date of your denial to file a request for consideration. The Disability Determination Services in MD reviews your decision after you make your request, and you can have an in-person conference with the representative and your lawyer. If the representative denies your claim, you can have your lawyer request an administrative hearing in front of a judge.
Administrative Hearing
The request for an administrative hearing has to be filed within 60 days of the date of your denial letter. As part of the disability appeal process, your case will be heard by an administrative law judge. The judge reviews the evidence you want them to consider and listens to any witnesses you bring.
If you have retained a disability lawyer for the denial process, your lawyer advocates your case to the judge clearly and concisely, which helps your case. If the administrative law judge denies your appeal or does not date your benefits far back enough, you can appeal the decision to the Appeals Council.
Appeals Council Review
The Appeals Council reviews the evidence submitted to the administrative law judge but will not hear new evidence. If the Appeals Council finds the administrative law judge was in error, it will overturn the denial into approval or send it back to the judge for another decision. The Appeals Council may also confirm that the administrative law judge’s ruling was correct.
Federal District Court
Suppose the Appeals Council upheld the decision to deny your claim. In that case, your case can be appealed to the federal district court for further review and have the opportunity to correct errors made at the lower levels. A brief that explains why you are appealing your claim denial at this level is required by the court, something that your disability lawyer can do on your behalf.
Terri D. Mason is one of the top-tier social security disability lawyers in Maryland, ready to help you overcome your SSDI denial and get you on track to receive the benefits you need. Get in touch with us to learn more about how to appeal an SSDI denial, and let us review your case to find out how we can help you.
Drug addiction is a debilitating disease that affects not only the addict but also their family and friends. The person will continue their downward spiral toward drugs when it is a chronic condition. They do not consider the negative consequences.
Many people struggling with addiction also suffer from other mental health disorders. This can make a recovery even more difficult. So, the question becomes, is addiction considered a disability?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) rules governing disability benefits are complex. Having a disability lawyer who can help you navigate the process of applying for and appealing for a denial of benefits is crucial.
If you are disabled, live in Baltimore, and require legal assistance, you need to contact the Law Offices of Terri D. Mason. Terri D. Mason is one of the reputable disability lawyers Baltimore Maryland, specializing in helping people with disabilities obtain the benefits they are entitled to.
What Is ADA and What Does It Protect?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a law created in 1990 to protect disabled individuals and their rights.
The ordinance forbids discrimination against people with disabilities. It includes all areas of public life, such as employment, education, transportation, and access to public facilities. Also, the ADA establishes standards for designing and constructing public accommodations and commercial facilities to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities.
What Is a SUD?
A substance use disorder (SUD) is a mental health disorder characterized by an individual’s chronic use of alcohol or other drugs and can vary from mild to severe.
Other mental health disorders often accompany them, such as anxiety or depression. It is difficult for a person to stop on their own. SUDs can lead to several problems, including financial difficulties, relationship problems, and legal troubles.
Can a Person With SUD Get Benefits?
A person with drug addiction or SUD can be considered disabled at a certain point but not at all times.
Under the ADA rules, people with drug and alcohol addiction can get behavioral health benefits. They might qualify for paid benefits if they suffer from irreversible conditions due to their addiction.
However, if you file for disability while still using drugs, the Social Security Administration (SSA) might deny your application.
Trying to navigate the system can cause confusion and frustration. That is why it would be wise to contact Terri D. Mason, one of the SSDI Maryland disability lawyers.
What Are the Benefits of Drug Addiction Disability?
To increase the chances of getting paid benefits, SSA will suggest individuals with SUDs take advantage of behavioral health benefits services, which might include the following:
- A psychologist can help identify the root cause of someone’s substance abuse and develop a treatment plan. They can also provide support to family and friends who are affected by someone’s SUDs.
- A licensed professional counselor can work with those who have SUDs to understand their disorder. They can help them develop coping skills to manage triggers and cravings. While providing support and motivation, they can help connect people with resources like 12-step programs or sober living houses.
- A psychiatrist will work with other members of the treatment team to develop a treatment plan that meets the needs of the individual. Medication management and therapy help those with SUDs cope with their symptoms and recover from addiction.
Filing for Disability With a Drug a Drug Addiction Diagnosis
It is unlikely for SSA to grant you disability benefits purely for having a drug addiction. The administration will verify if the applicant’s illness directly results from using drugs. They also will want to know if the person ceases using; will the condition be reversed?
If SSA determines your health issue is unrelated to drug use, you might not receive benefits. SSA requirements in this matter can be confusing for applicants. The best thing to do is work with a social security disability substance abuse attorney.
How a Social Disability Lawyer Baltimore Can Help
When someone can no longer work because of a disability, they may be eligible for social security disability benefits. Unfortunately, applying for these benefits can be challenging and lengthy. You will need an attorney who can guide you through the process.
Working with an aggressive attorney can help increase your chances of approval. Whether you qualify for benefits or want to know if drug addiction is a disability, an attorney can review your case and let you know your options.
As a social security disability substance abuse attorney, Terri D. Mason has over 25 years of experience. She can help those who need or were turned down for disability benefits prove their case. Call us today to schedule a consultation and know how you can proceed to process and deal with your disability.
Social security can confuse many people, especially those not close to retirement age. It seems that the rules continue to change each year, and now those eligible for maximum social security benefits must wait until they are 67 years old before retiring, but only if they were born in 1960 or later. How long are payments received? Payments received from Social security are for life, but things can get quite a bit different when talking about social security disability benefits.
SSDI benefits are monitored much more closely and have different rules. It may be confusing to understand, so you may need a top social security disability lawyer Baltimore that can offer you help. The Law Offices of Terri D. Mason can do just that, and we will break down when payments begin, how long they last, and what to expect when enrolled in the program.
When Do SSDI Payments Start?
While a disability is likely to cause you to be unable to work immediately, Social Security disability benefits will not begin for the first five months. In most cases, payments will start during the sixth month of disability, with one exception.
If someone has been diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s Disease), then payments will begin immediately due to a new law passed in 2020. Other diseases are included in this program, known as “Compassionate Allowances,” as conditions are guaranteed not to improve. An applicant will need payments immediately due to a lifelong inability to work.
SSDI payments are given out each month, and the day you receive them depends on your birth date. These payments can be made electronically or via check; sometimes, taxes must be paid on benefits. Unlike retirement benefits, SSDI payments are not guaranteed to be paid out for the rest of your life unless you have reached full retirement age.
How Long Does SSDI Last?
There is not a predetermined amount of time that SSDI payments will last. Those receiving payments are subject to review to determine if their disability is still causing them to be unable to work. Those not expected to improve their condition will only be subject to review every seven years.
A disability where it is unclear whether there will be improvement will be reviewed around every three years, while disabilities that are expected to improve can be checked anywhere from six months to 18 months.
A person receiving SSDI payments will be notified when their review is approaching, giving that person time to arrange medical paperwork and provide proof of income if they have been working. A social security office representative then decides whether or not benefit payments will continue.
There are some instances where SSDI payments can be terminated without improving the condition. Those that have returned to earning a monthly salary of at least $1,310 are subject to having their SSDI payments end (for those who are legally blind, the amount is more than doubled at $2,260 per month). That is unless that person was simply trying to see if they could work for a couple of months.
If their disability prevents them from returning to their old duties permanently, payments will not stop. Those arrested and sentenced to over 30 days in jail will see payments terminated.
Note: Those still receiving SSDI payments when they reach full retirement age will have their disability payments converted into retirement benefit payments.
Need a Legal Help from a Disability Lawyer in MD?
Suppose you need social security disability payments. In that case, an attorney can complete your application on your behalf while gathering the proper documents, such as medical records, to ensure your benefits continue. These applications can be complicated and filled with minor details that are easy to overlook.
Our attorneys will ensure that every last detail is correct so that the social security office does not cut or stop your benefits. If you need assistance getting your full benefits — contact the top Social Security disability lawyers in Maryland at the Law Offices of Terri D. Mason today for a free consultation.
Realizing that you can’t work any longer is a difficult time. You may wonder how you’ll pay your bills and make ends meet. Basic life needs can be hard to take care of without an income. People with a work history may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. You must have worked 5 out of the last 10 years and with enough work credits to qualify. Paying your FICA taxes will reward you with work credits. Attorney Terri D. Mason team is ready to help you with your SSDI case. Contact us to hire the best law firm in the country for SSDI. Our professionals know how important it is to get the benefits you’re entitled to. Having an SSDI lawyer comes with perks to ease your SSDI application.
Understand Compassionate Allowance List
The process for filing SSDI is complex because you have to outline all of your medical conditions and fill out the application. Making sure that everything is accurate is imperative because this can directly impact the application’s outcome.
For people with conditions appearing on the Compassionate Allowances List, including completely accurate condition names is critical. The automated system will flag applications that have those conditions so they can move through an expedited process.
Obtain Essential Evidence
Showing how your disabilities limit your ability to work is one of the most important factors in an SSDI case. We can obtain medical evidence, including getting opinions from doctors, that clarifies how limiting your condition is.
Representatives of the SSA and Administrative Law judges don’t always realize how medical conditions can impact workers. We, SSDI lawyers, can present the facts of your case in a way that makes it easier for them to understand exactly why you qualify for SSDI.
One thing that some people don’t think about when they’re filing for SSDI is that the medications they’re taking can also have an impact on their ability to work. We don’t focus only on the medical condition you have. We also show how the treatments for it are making it impossible for you to earn a living wage.
SSDI Attorney Fees are on a Contingency Basis
You don’t pay SSDI lawyer fees upfront. All social security disability lawyers in Maryland work on a contingency basis, so they only get paid if you get benefits. There are limits to how much they can earn, and their payments will come directly from your benefits check. In 2022, the limit for pay is the lesser of either 25% of the retroactive benefits or $6,000.
Unless you’re awarded retroactive or past due benefits, there isn’t a payment for the attorney. You will sign a fee agreement ahead of time to know how much you’ll have to pay.
Handle Appeals
Many people who file for disability benefits are denied at first. Having experienced SSDI Maryland lawyers on your side, you can have them handle the appeal for you. Making sure that you have everything included for the appeal is critical.
Sometimes, an appeal may require getting medical documents or other information. Instead of spending time doing this, your social security disability lawyer can get it all for you. This frees up your time to take care of yourself.
Your Attorney Will Represent You at Disability Hearings
An Administrative Judge oversees hearings for Social Security Disability Insurance. SSDI Maryland disability lawyers representing you at a hearing can make a big difference because they can explain things about your case. We also know the applicable laws and regulations, so we can point those out when necessary.
Part of representing you also involves helping to prepare you for the proceeding. We can discuss the questions the judge might ask and the information they’re looking for. Knowing what to expect can help to reduce your stress, making it easier to deal with the process.
You don’t have to wonder when to hire a disability lawyer another second. Instead, give us a call and let SSDI lawyers at the Law Offices of Terri D. Mason show you how we can help you to get the SSDI benefits you qualify for.
COVID-19 has affected nearly every facet of society. It’s changed the way we interact with one another, the way we work, and the disability application process.
Are you interested in learning more about COVID-19 regarding the disability application process?
Keep reading to learn more details about the current process and what to expect. If you feel there’s a need for assistance with this process, you can contact the Law Offices of Terri D. Mason to get started.
Is COVID-19 an Occupational Disease?
Covid-19 is not an occupational disease. However, suppose there’s documentation regarding the workers’ infections that resulted from participating in their work-related duties. In that case, it’s important to know that there must be verifiable documentation to verify its validity and to process a potential claim.
COVID-19 on Persons with Disabilities Application Process
In most cases, people who contracted COVID-19 were out of work for extended timelines and suffered financial hardships. Of those impacted by it, the most notable were those with disabilities. Many disabled people were out of work and had severe financial hardships.
More people will be permanently out of work due to COVID-19 infections. That means more people are eligible to file for disability benefits resulting from their exposure to COVID-19. As a result, they are one of the many issues related to the disability application process.
The application process has become slower and more difficult due to all the new applications resulting from the impacts of the pandemic. A SS disability application process is already quite complex, but having COVID-19 in the formula makes the process even more difficult for many.
That is why the services of a top disability lawyer are more crucial than ever in these cases. They take these cases exclusively and are familiar with all the new changes and issues related to disability claims and the effects that COVID-19 has on the entire process.
Processing Disability Application During COVID-19
If you plan to file a disability benefit application or you’ve had your initial application rejected, don’t worry. You can dispute the rejection with some assistance and appeal the decision and get much better results. To get help with this issue, the best course of action is to contact a professional attorney who specializes in these cases.
If your disability benefit application is currently processing, you may want to consider having the details of a law firm able to handle a disability claim appeal in case it’s rejected. It’s important to know that many applications are initially declined, especially if the applicant doesn’t have an attorney working with them on their claim. It’s easy to begin working with an experienced and reliable Social Security disability attorney specializing in these cases.
How an SSDI Disability Lawyer Can Help
An SSDI disability lawyer can help cut through the red tape related to the impact that COVID-19 has had on the disability application process and continue social security disability application proceedings. A top attorney can begin filing paperwork and collecting details to get the process moving forward and educate their client regarding the ins and outs along the way.
When you’re looking for a disability attorney or law firm, it’s important to select a firm that has an excellent reputation for getting results and providing its clients with the fastest and most reliable services in the field. They can help prevent unnecessary hold-ups and rejections that may be even more problematic now than before the pandemic. They know how to handle the case precisely in the best way to get ideal results for the applicant.
They can work with their clients to educate them on the disability claims process and assist them with gathering their details and information to create an accurate and complete application or appeals to ensure they get faster results and a better chance of having their claim approved.
Anyone interested in filing a claim for Baltimore MD disability insurance should contact SSDI Maryland disability lawyers who can get their claims handled appropriately and professionally. Contact the Law Offices of Terri D. Mason. Now is the time to get started to ensure the best outcome for your case.
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.
People work to earn a living, but many don’t think about what will happen if they suffer an injury or illness that makes it impossible to work. People going through that situation might wonder how they can make ends meet. The answer to this could be Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
Unfortunately, unless applicants have a condition on the Compassionate Allowances List, they’re unlikely to receive these benefits quickly. Anyone who’s going to apply for SSDI should have the assistance of a qualified attorney. The Law Offices of Terri D. Mason team is here to help people get the process moving forward.
What is SSDI?
SSDI is a program administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Everyone who works in this country pays into SSDI as part of their Federal Insurance Contributions Act payments from their paycheck. It’s as FICA on most pay stubs. The employer matches the amount the employee pays to fund Social Security and Medicare.
Receiving SSDI isn’t automatic. You have to apply for these benefits, and it can take a long time for the application to work its way through the process. Many people are denied benefits and have to undergo an appeals process to get their due benefits.
How Does SSDI Work?
Social Security Disability Insurance provides people with a monthly check. In 2022, the maximum benefit is around $3,345 per month. The federal government sets the maximum amount a person can receive, but only very high-income earners would qualify for the maximum amount.
The cost-of-living adjustment or COLA determines the benefit limits. When inflation is rampant, such as in 2022, the COLA will likely increase considerably for the following year.
There is a five-month waiting period from the date that you become disabled. This isn’t the date you filed for SSDI. Instead, it’s the date you became unable to work because of an illness or injury.
Eligibility Requirements For SSDI
To qualify for SSDI, you must be out of work for at least 12 months due to an illness or injury. Your doctor must verify that this is the prognosis for your case. The condition must meet the SSA’s definition of a disability to meet the eligibility requirements for SSDI.
You must have worked for 5 out of 10 previous years and paid into the system during that time. The SSA utilizes a work credit system to determine if a person qualifies for SSDI. Typically, a person needs 40 credits for their lifetime, with at least 20 earned in the previous 10 years.
Workers can earn up to four credits per year. You must earn a specific amount to get each credit, which changes yearly. In 2022, you earn credit when you earn $1,510 in earnings from work or self-employment. This means that once you earn $6,040 for the year, you’ve earned all four credits.
Benefits of Applying for SSDI
Besides the monthly cash benefits you can receive on SSDI, there’s another primary benefit you may need to utilize – Medicare. You have to wait for 24 months after you become eligible for SSDI before you can qualify for Medicare unless you’re over 65 years old or have a condition that provides a waiver.
How are SSDI Benefits Calculated?
SSDI benefits include your covered earnings in calculating. These are the earnings from jobs where you paid FICA taxes. The monthly amount you receive will base on your average indexed monthly earnings. There are online benefit calculators for people to determine how much they can get through the SSDI program.
How Can an Attorney Help?
Applying for SSDI can be very complex, so having an SS disability lawyer is beneficial. The vast majority of applications get denied at first. This opens the door for the appeals process. Every step in the SSDI application process has stringent time limits.
You can count on the SSDI lawyers in Maryland with the Law Offices of Terri D. Mason to help you throughout the application and appeals process. Our team understands how important it is for you to receive the benefits you need to make ends meet.
Anyone currently involved in the process of applying for disability benefits will need to know many details regarding their case and the overall process. In many instances, there is a disability hearing to determine the claim’s validity and to uncover any information in detail relevant to the approval process.
The information you will need to testify is essential for winning your case. It’s important to gather all this information and know how to relay it effectively once asked.
If you have a disability hearing, you must prepare for each facet of the hearing. To do that, you’ll need the services of a top disability attorney who can guide you through the process to get the best results. Anyone looking for a disability attorney should reach out to the Law Offices of Terri D. Mason.
Social Security Disability Hearing
You need to know how to prepare for a social security disability hearing. In the hearing, they will likely go into more detail about any limitations that exist because of your physical or mental issues resulting in your disability claim.
The first set of details they may inquire about would be the specific medical condition you have that is causing you to experience your stated disability. They are also likely to ask for more details about the specific symptoms experience as a result of your disability. They will inquire about any details related to the treatment and diagnosis pertaining to these issues.
Getting the specifics correctly documented and instilled in your mind is crucial to having a positive outcome for your case. They will want to know more about any medical treatments you’ve undergone due to disability symptoms.
This inquiry may also include information about your physical therapies and the medications you may take to control the symptoms. It may also include information about your physical treatments and the medicines you may take to control the symptoms.
Preparing for a Social Security Disability Hearing
The trial will cover the information and details related to your disability, its treatment, and symptoms, and it will also cover personal details related to the applicant. This information can include your education and information about training related to your work. They may also want to know more about your overall work history through the years.
Preparing adequately is essential to having a case approved. One of the first things you’ll want to do is review your case file. This process includes reviewing your medical records, correspondence with the Social Security Administration, and your application. You’ll also want to prepare a cheat sheet to ensure you can remember all the essential details about your disability and the claim.
You’ll want information, including medical records, important notes, and essential documents that may be required to get more accurate information. They will also want more details on any medical records during the hearing. This information can be essential to help decide about the claim. Make sure this information is up-to-date and on file before the hearing begins.
You’ll also want to have a doctor’s statement on hand to produce during the trial. This information is vital for verifying your medical condition and how it can affect your ability to work.
Don’t rely on the documentation you filed for your SSDI claim; obtain a more detailed note written by your attending physician. Once you have all the information necessary to support your claim during the trial adequately, you can begin the final preparations with your lawyer to help you feel prepared and ready for the proceedings.
Final Preparation with Your Social Security Disability Attorney
An experienced Social Security disability lawyer can help coach you through the entire process and ensure you know all the details related to your case. This extensive preparation and knowledge can help you get the disability funding necessary for your situation.
Your social security disability attorney will be able to work closely with you. This is to ensure your preparedness for any disability trial proceedings or any other details necessary to understand for a successful outcome in your case.
The chances of winning a disability hearing with a lawyer are much higher than for those who choose to claim alone. Learn how to prepare for social security disability hearing for the best odds of getting your disability claim approved. You should reach out to the law offices of Terri D. Mason.
If you are looking to receive social security disability, you will have to go through an application with the appropriate office before you can earn the benefits. The interview is a big component of the application and can determine if you are eligible for the benefits. With the help of SSI lawyers from the Law Offices of Terri D. Mason, you can get the help you need and improve your chances.
How To Get An Interview For Disability
If you believe that you qualify for social security disability benefits, you will need to first file an application with the Maryland Department of Health. Once your application is filed, you will be contacted by a representative of their office to schedule the face-to-face interview. This interview is required, and your application cannot move forward until this happens. With the help of social security disability lawyers in Maryland, you can prepare yourself for the interview so that you can increase your chances of being eligible. You will need to attend this meeting on your own when you meet with the Coordinator.
What Should I Not Say?
There are several things that you will be advised not to say by your SS Disability lawyer. This is critical information because they have years of experience in the industry and understand what will have a disability case denied.
- You should not say things like you cannot be hired and put the fault on employers.
- Never tell them that you are not sure why you are there and why you applied for the benefits.
- Never proclaim that you are able to work or say that you still possess certain valuable skills.
- Do not imply that you are the reason any medications or treatments were stopped in relation to your disability.
If you start your disability meeting out by placing blame on employers then they will see you as a red flag. Since most disabilities have treatments, you need to be active in something for yourself to show that you are trying to improve. If you do not pursue treatment and indicate that you stopped it because it wasn’t working, or you were no longer interested in the treatment, then your case will be denied.
During your interview, they will ask about household chores and obligations. You do not want to appear as though you are not willing to participate in your household obligations. If you indicate that you still have the ability to pursue manual labor and can handle extensive duties around your home, they may see that you are fit for light-duty work and deem you ineligible for benefits.
What Should I Say?
When you are in your disability case interview, you want to make sure you say things that are true and will help them see the severity of your case.
- You want to establish clear limitations that you are experiencing with your disability.
- Be honest about how it has impacted your ability to work and interact with others.
- Let them know that you have done and are doing all things as advised medically.
During this interview, it is important not to spend time exaggerating details or rambling. They may think you are nervous and exaggerating the disability. When they ask you how it has impacted your life, be clear about what you are not able to do any longer. For example, you may not be able to move or bend a certain way and that is a limitation they will need to know. Always be honest and tell the truth throughout the interview. Listen to all the pointers you received from social security disability attorneys regarding your current application.
Do You Need Legal Guidance For Your Disability Case?
If you live in Maryland, the help of a social security disability attorney can help you prepare for your interview so that you do not leave out any important information and improve your chances. These benefits are there for cases when you are no longer able to provide for yourself and you meet the qualifications. At the Law Offices of Terri D. Mason, our social security disability attorneys have decades of experience with these cases and know how to help you with your case. Contact us today for a consultation on your case so that we can start helping you soon.
There are cases sometimes where Maryland residents find themselves with an unfortunate disability and they are not able to continue working. There may be extensive pain, grueling treatments, or other reasons the disability is keeping you from working. When this happens, you need to apply for disability benefits so that you can have some income coming into the home. However, the best way to make sure you get the best chances at an approval for these benefits is by getting assistance from a Baltimore SS disability lawyer with the Law Offices of Terri D. Mason, who has years of experience helping other clients just like you.
What Qualifies Me For Disability?
Before you can apply and be approved for disability benefits, there are several criteria that you must meet to complete the application.
- You must be at least 18 years of age.
- You cannot be receiving your own social security benefits currently.
- You cannot be working and not be able to work due to an approved medical condition.
- There must not be a recent disability on file within the last two months.
- Have copies of all required documentation to supply with the application.
In order to move forward with an application, you must meet the criteria above. If you submit an application and the information above does not apply to you, your application will be denied automatically before you are able to complete the interview portion of the process.
Common Medical Conditions Covered By Disability
How Can I Increase My Chances of Getting Disability?
Because disability is awarded on a case-by-case basis, it is important that you do all you can to improve your chances of receiving these benefits.
- Supply all required documentation needed
- Show up for the interviews and take them seriously
- Seek legal help from SSI lawyers
Supply All Required Documents Needed For The Application
When you submit your initial application, you need to prove you meet the above requirements. If you need help, a Baltimore SS disability lawyer can help you collect the documents you need:
- Birth certificate
- Social Security Card or immigration documentation to show a legal status
- Military discharge documents, if applicable
- W-2 forms or tax documents filed to the IRS
- The medical evidence of your condition
The coordinator who is assigned to your case will be looking to see what documentation is available to help them award you the benefits. Give them everything you have available that can help you, even if they did not ask for it directly. If it pertains to your disability and has information that only proves your case, then you should give that information to them. These will show that you are the person you claim to be, and that you have a case for disability benefits. The more documents that you provide for your case, the better chances you have of being approved.
Show Up For Your Scheduled Interviews
In most disability cases, there are both telephone and in-person interviews conducted before your case is approved. You want to take these meetings as seriously as you do when you meet with a social security disability lawyer. Make sure you are early to your meeting and stay professional when speaking. If you are meeting in person it is advised by most social security disability lawyers that you dress professionally and maintain your composure during the interview.
Seek Legal Help From Social Security Disability Lawyers
Before you start your application and have your interviews for your disability case, you want to gain as much information and insight as you can from those who have experience in this area. Social security disability lawyers in Maryland have worked for decades fighting for disability benefits that their clients have earned and should get access to when they have no ability to work and provide an income. Take advantage of this resource during consultations throughout your case so that you know what is going on, what you can expect, and how to prepare.
Are You Ready to Secure A Social Security Disability Lawyer?
At the Law Offices of Terri D. Mason, our team of social security disability lawyers in Maryland is here to help you get the benefits that you are entitled to, and we will fight for you on your behalf. If you would like to schedule a consultation, contact us today for more information.