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How to Apply for Social Security Disability Benefits
In the US, Social Security disability benefits are possibly one of the most important and successful program in alleviating the financial burden of people who are suffering from disabling conditions. A Social Security disability application is submitted for an array of disabilities such as Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome, Interstitial Cystitis, Candidiasis, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, and mental disorders.
People should know how to apply for disability. The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers two programs to assist disabled persons who cannot maintain employment due to a disability. The Social Security disability insurance program is developed for individuals who have long-term or permanent disability. The disability benefits can help people to manage basic living expenses and reduce the financial burden caused by medical conditions. If a person suffers from severe financial crisis due to a disabling condition and it affects their work, they can qualify for Social Security's Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. The SSA assesses the disability via its medical experts based on a list of physical and mental conditions in its regulations. Unfortunately, many people do not understand the Social Security Disability application process. They must refer to the Benefits Eligibility Screening Tool to learn which program is suitable for them to obtain financial aid.
People are curious to know how to apply for disability through Social Security. There are numerous ways to apply for social security disability. People who seek to benefit from Social Security disability can call the toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 and schedule an appointment at the local office. They can also visit the Social Security Local SSA Office Finder to locate the address of the specific office which deals with social security benefits and try applying for social security disability directly.
Another way to apply for Social Security benefits is to do it online at the SSA webpage for Disability Benefits. Before submitting the Social Security disability application, it is important to carefully review the Disability Starter Kits which have been created by SSA. These kits provide helpful information about disability, the essential documents needed, a checklist of information, and a worksheet to help you prepare for the application and the disability interview. After applying for disability for Social Security, the Social Security staff evaluates the client’s application to ensure that it’s complete and forwards the application to Disability Determination Services to verify whether the client meets the medical prerequisites.
Many people have issues that make it difficult for them to get Social Security Disability benefits. Each year, the SSA receives a huge number of applications. In fact, the SSA turns down approximately 65 percent of the people who file initial disability applications. In order to approve Social Security disability benefits applicants, they must make an appeal on the decision during the preliminary stages of the Social Security Disability application process.
There are essentially five major stages of the appeal and application process for Social Security Disability. The first step is the filing of Social Security disability forms and the disability benefits application. During the first stage, the client’s application is filed with the SSA along with all medical proof and other supporting documentation. If your Social Security Disability claim for benefits is denied initially, you have 2 months to file your appeal with SSA. In this phase, your application will be returned to the SSA for another review. This procedure can sometimes take six months to complete, and it should be noted that less than 15 percent of appeals are accepted. The second stage of the appeal process is the Social Security disability hearing. In this case, you have two months from the date of denied reconsideration to request a hearing with the SSA. At this stage, the case is scrutinized by a government judge who has the power to approve the claim, send the case back for review or refuse the claim. This procedure may take more than a year to complete.
Almost 63 percent of the hearing cases are made in favor of the applicant. If the individuals do not concur with the decision of the judge for Social Security Disability benefits, they have the right to appeal to the Appeals Council regarding the decision. The Appeals Council generally takes about a year to review the claim and complete formalities. If the client’s claim is also not accepted by the Appeals Council, they may appeal to the Federal District Court who will then review the case. The Federal District Court can endorse or refuse claims for Social Security Disability benefits or they can return the case to the SSA for review. It has been observed that 30 percent of appeals go in favor of the disability claims process applicant.
Now, you should have a better idea about how to apply for Social Security disability benefits. When a person files for Social Security disability benefits, they needs to substantiate that their condition is severe, hampering them from performing considerable work which reduces their income.
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