SSDI Benefits: What Do I Need to Qualify?
If you live near the Baltimore, Maryland area and you’re no longer able to work due to a long-term or lifelong disability, then you may be considering applying for SSDI. SSDI is social security disability insurance, and you will have to have worked a certain number of years in order to quality for SSDI. Here is an overview of what you need to qualify for SSDI benefits as well as how a social security disability lawyer can help you.
Do you have enough past earnings?
SSDI benefits are funded by payroll taxes, which is why you must work for a certain amount of time to meet the first part of the criteria. The amount of time that you worked will determine if you meet the criteria, as well as how much you would receive each month should you ultimately be approved for SSDI. The average amount of SSDI monthly checks is just over $1100. In addition to having enough past earnings, you must have worked enough recently to qualify for benefits, as well. The Social Security Administration will make that determination.
Are you disabled enough?
Another qualifying factor in order to be approved for SSDI benefits is that you must be disabled or injured severely enough to prevent you from being able to work for a year or longer, or it’s expected to result in death. While it’s relatively easy for many people to meet the earnings portion of the SSDI qualification, it’s usually quite challenging to prove that you’re disabled enough to meet the second part of the qualification.
How is a determination made?
In order to apply for SSDI, you must complete a detailed application. Once your application is submitted, it will be reviewed by the Social Security Administration to determine if you meet the primary requirements. If you do, then your application will be sent to the DDS (Disability Determination Services) who will scrutinize your application. The DDS will thoroughly investigate every aspect of your medical history, including whether doctors’ diagnoses, tests and more are able to back up your claims of being disabled.
DDS will also investigate how well you’re able to complete tasks while sitting, standing, walking, etc. You may even be required to see doctors who work with DDS in order to help them make a determination. Once their thorough investigation is completed, they will notify you by mail if you’re approved for benefits. You will also be notified of the amount you will receive each month as well as an approximate start date. You will also be notified by mail if you’re not approved for benefits, and a reason will be provided. You have the right to file an appeal, and since over 60% of applicants are denied the first time they apply, if you’re denied you should definitely appeal.
How can a Baltimore SS disability lawyer help you?
Many people who are truly too disabled to work are wrongly denied benefits. Not only can this cause an immense amount of stress on an already severely ill person, but the stress itself can worsen the illness. Social security disability lawyers don’t take “No” for an answer, and the Law Offices of Terri D. Mason can significantly lessen your stress levels by assisting you with proving your disability so you can be approved for the benefits that you’re entitled to and worked so many years for.
Your social security disability attorney can assist you with the entire application process, whether it’s your initial application or your appeal. When you file an appeal, you must provide a substantial number of details that could easily be missed. This missed information can make the difference between your appeal resulting in an overturned decision and your application continuing to be denied. This is why you should have the assistance of social security disability attorneys, who can not only complete the necessary information for you, but they can also counsel you and provide you with useful advice on how to proceed next.
So, if you’re trying to get approved for SSDI, you should seriously consider having an experienced social security disability attorney by your side. These attorneys deal with cases like yours on a daily basis, and they know exactly how to dramatically increase your chances of being approved for the benefits that you deserve.