Working adults contribute funds to the Social Security Administration (SSA) every time they receive a paycheck. Even independent contractors make routine Social Security contributions throughout their working lives. They can then potentially request retirement benefits when they leave their full-time employment later in life. A small percentage of adults may find themselves unable to work before they reach retirement age. Medical challenges can potentially prevent someone from maintaining gainful employment. Those with health issues that directly affect their ability to work a job can sometime ..read more

Applicants seeking disability benefits are often in a difficult financial situation. Most people realize that they don’t qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance SSDI benefits unless they have a persistent and fully disabling medical condition. They may try to work initially after their diagnosis or may hold out hope that treatment could improve their condition initially. By the time people apply for benefits, they might have gone months without regular income. They may have already used up the money that they have in savings or put a lot of debt on their credit cards. Those who don’t ..read more

People who have been employed and then become disabled may be in a position to file for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. If you’re unable to work for at least a year or are facing a terminal illness, you may decide to apply for SSDI benefits that can provide you with a monthly income. In most cases, an initial application for SSDI is denied. Therefore, many people need to appeal an unfavorable decision before they will be granted benefits. There are four appeal options that you may have to work through after a denial. Reconsideration The first step in the appeals process i ..read more

Every working individual, including employees and independent contractors, makes contributions to the Social Security program. They send a portion of their wages to the Social Security Administration (SSA) to fund retirement and disability benefits. Many people then rely on Social Security to augment their personal savings during their retirement years. A smaller subset of working adults find themselves unable to continue their employment due to medical issues. They may eventually need to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Only those with severe conditions that sho ..read more

Navigating the complexities of the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claims process can be a daunting task for individuals who are unable to work due to a disability. This process is marked by legal intricacies, stringent documentation requirements and a high rate of initial application denials. When approaching the consequential undertaking of applying for benefits, seeking the guidance of an SSDI attorney is important. These professionals are well-versed in the nuances of the SSDI system and provide support that can significantly enhance the likelihood of a favorable outcome for a ..read more

A decision to file for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) benefits can be difficult enough, but the actual process of filing a claim can be even more daunting. After all, nobody has ever claimed that any application for government benefits is easy. Learning more about the application process, however, can ease a lot of concerns and help you understand what to expect. The basic process unfolds as follows. You’ll contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) and ask to file SSA offers two ways to apply for SSDI benefits. You can either call SSA’s service line at 1-800-772-1213 and ask f ..read more

Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) benefits are a lifeline for a lot of people with different disabilities – but obtaining benefits is neither quick nor easy for most people. While you can often file your initial application online fairly quickly, that’s just the start of your journey. Here’s what you need to expect as your situation evolves. It takes three to six months for an initial decision Unless you have a qualifying “fast track” condition, once you’ve completed your application, filled out the questionnaire about your medical history and signed medical release forms, you can gener ..read more

Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits can be a challenging process, especially when dealing with a disability that has already disrupted your life, your career and all that entails. While you’re not obligated to hire an attorney for your SSDI claim, there are several potential pitfalls you could encounter if you choose to go it alone: Failure to understand the eligibility criteria The eligibility criteria for SSDI are not always straightforward, and they can vary based on factors such as your work history, the medical evidence you have, your age, your education and ..read more

The Social Security Administration (SSA) receives funding through payroll withholding contributions from employed Americans and distributes benefits to retired adults and those with disabling medical conditions. There are actually two distinct disability benefit programs operated by the SSA, and these programs confuse many taxpayers. Some people receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Other individuals receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Although the acronyms for these two programs look quite similar, there are actually significant differences that separa ..read more

Disability benefits are usually only available to those who can no longer work at all and who will have long-term medical concerns, rather than a brief illness or injury. People who apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits may face debilitating treatment and worry about how they will cover their basic household expenses as a result of their circumstances. SSDI benefits represent an emergency lifeline for those with serious medical issues, but a significant percentage of applicants do not get benefits immediately when they apply. A rejection notice can be very disheartenin ..read more