Are you eligible for social security benefits? If so, which ones? The eligibility requirements are complex, and determining whether you qualify can be intensely frustrating. To work out which disability benefits you may be able to receive, and to find out whether you will be able to earn an income while receiving disability, read on.
Can I get partial disability through SSA?
No, you cannot qualify for disability benefits through Social Security if your disability is partial or short term. Only people whose disability is considered complete and is expected to last more than one year are eligible for social security benefits. (Note that as long as your highest possible income is below an SSA determined level, you may work while collecting disability benefits.)
I cannot work as long as before or at the same skill level, so although I still have a job, my income has dropped. Is it still possible for me to file for social security benefits?
Yes, if your income is lower than a certain SSA determined level, you are eligible to file for disability benefits. The amount changes annually, so check the official Social Security web site or booklets to find out what the current limit is.
However, your current income is not the only number the state agency will consider when evaluating your case. If you are capable of earning a higher income by changing to another job, you will not be approved for disability benefits. The state agency will consider your training, experience, age, and medical condition when deciding whether you are able to do other work, so you will not be pushed into doing work for which you are untrained or which strains your physical capacity.
My doctors say there is no treatment that can help me, so why do I have to keep going to doctors?
When you first file for social security benefits, the state agency that manages your case will need a complete evaluation of your health, a process that may require repeated doctors’ visits. Your regular doctors may not be able to perform necessary tests or have equipment that is necessary to evaluate you, so you may need to visit another doctor to complete the evaluation. The state agency may help you to find the specialist you need.
After you have been ruled eligible for disability benefits, regular examinations will be necessary to track the state of your health. Because not all disabling medical conditions are permanent, your health may improve enough for you to work even without active medical care.
March 28th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Q: If you were absent from the scheduled hearing for a disability appeal, will you be denied benefits?
A: Being absent from a scheduled hearing is not recommended. If a hearing was missed for a legitimate reason, you should be able to reschedule. Emergency and unexpected circumstances are the only reasons that will be accepted. For example, you had a medical issue, were ill, had a family emergency or were unable to physically get to the location of the hearing. If you did not know you had a hearing because you did not receive notification, contact your claim representative immediately.
March 31st, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Glad i found this. Keep the posts coming dude.
May 10th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Whether they live with you or not, your child will automatically be considered your financial dependent if you share any of the following relationships with them:
• The child is your legitimate, natural child
• The child is your legally adopted child
• The child is your natural, recognized, but unlegitimized child, and either a court has made a determination of support, or you regularly contribute financially to support the child.
If a court has not officially made a determination of support for a recognized natural child that does not live with you, you can show that child’s financial dependency upon you by providing:
• Paperwork showing that your child is qualifies as your dependant in other state and federal programs
• Previous tax returns in which you claimed the child as a dependent
• Bank records, cancelled checks, etc. , showing that you made regular payments on behalf of or in support of your child
• Other evidence of the child’s dependence
Financial dependability (and eligibility for social security benefits) of a stepchild, on the other hand, will only determined when that child lives with you and shares with you a parent and child relationship. Generally, your spouse’s legitimate natural child, legally adopted child, or illegitimate natural child will be considered a step child. Even after divorcing your step child’s natural parent (that is, your husband or wife) or after his or her death, the child will be considered financially dependent upon you and therefore eligible for benefits as long as he or she resides in your home and shares with you a child parent relationship.
June 28th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
The main purpose of the SSD is to provide individuals that are deemed by the government to be disabled to receive a certain amount of money every month. To be granted these benefits, an applicant will have to fulfill the following requirements: he or she must be suffering from a medical condition that prevents the pursuance of work, or that is expected to result in death.
It is important to note that there are many factors that will determine if you are eligible for Social Security Disability benefits, with concerns such as how old you are, how much education you have had, your work history, and your compliance with the terms of your medical treatment being some of them. Hiring a social security lawyer may prove to be very beneficial to you when filing your claim, since conforming to all of those requirements does not necessarily guarantee that you will be approved.
A social security lawyer can be a great help to you in compiling the information that you will need in order to make your case for a disability claim.
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:15 pm
The Social Security service bases the number of credits a person receives on the amount of money they earn and the amount of time they have worked. With each year that passes, the amount of money you need to make in order to earn social security credits rises; in 2008, it is one credit for $1,050 of earnings. These credits are also called quarters, as you can earn a maximum of four of them a year; any social security “quarters” that you earn during your working career will remain on your record even during times of unemployment.
In order to qualify for social security benefits, you need to reach a certain number of credits. The number of credits you need for social security is based on your current age, and is calculated by the number of years you have worked.
July 11th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
This info will be helpful.
July 25th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Many claimants, however, feel it is worth appealing to see if their claim might be remanded and have a chance to be heard a second time. Again, it is recommended that you have a social security lawyer or other representative by your side during an appeal at this level.
Q: Will a social security lawyer coordinate with representatives from Social Security on all official matters pertaining to your claim?
A: A social security lawyer will contact all pertinent representatives at Social Security for anything that has to do with your claim. All communication from Social Security will be directed to your lawyer, rather than you. In some circumstances, your lawyer will allow a claims representative or examiner to contact you directly.
August 1st, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Great information. Really awesome.
August 24th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Secondly, your physician should explain how your condition affects your activity and ability to work. Lastly, the statement should provide a prognosis for your specific situation.
Q: Are reconsideration and appeal the same thing in the social security benefits process?
A: Reconsideration and hearing are two different steps in appealing your claim. If your application was denied and you wish to continue further, your next move is to have your case reconsidered. This must be done within 60 days of when you received notification that your application was denied.
September 28th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
Since the appeal process can last as long as two years, and you may be denied more than twice at the minimum, hiring the services of a social security lawyer makes a lot of sense. With a social security lawyer, this process can be speeded up considerably.
It is important for you take your benefits claim seriously and to do what your social security lawyer suggests at all times. Many social security lawyers have had difficulties with clients that do not fulfill the terms of the medical requirement prescribed by their doctor. This in turn will make you more likely to be denied the benefits that you are seeking.
November 9th, 2009 at 6:45 am
For most people, Social Security is used for the purpose of retirement benefits that they can avail of when they reach the age of retirement. However, there is also a certain portion of your Social Security tax that can be used for a disability plan. Federal law states that in the event of an injury or some type of illness or disease that effectively hinders your ability to work, you can claim some Social Security benefits even though you have not reached retirement age yet. These benefits can be used to provide you with an income source in the event that you are not able to work.
The Social Security Act defines disability as either a physical or mental condition that prevents the sufferer from engaging in any activity that generates income, and that can either result in his or her death or last for 12 months or more.