A medical condition can prevent an individual’s ability to engage in normal activities of daily living and maintain gainful employment. Shocking data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveal that around 61 million people live with a disability in the United States.
A disabling condition impacts their quality of life and limits their abilities. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has programs for individuals living with a disability to seek benefits for their condition. The two primary programs administered by SSA are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
In order to receive benefits, you must first establish entitlement by proving that you are eligible for one or both programs. We have outlined a thorough guide below to answer some questions related to Social Security disability programs. For more information, you can contact a legal professional with experience in disability law to discuss the criteria and qualifications.
To receive Social Security disability benefits, an applicant will have to meet initial qualifying criteria and have a diagnosis of a disabling condition that has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months, or result in death. Around 10 million people were awarded Social Security benefits in 2019, whereas benefits for 870,827 workers were terminated, usually due to receiving income from work.
It is important to understand and follow the criteria for qualification established by the authorities at SSA to get approved for disability benefits. Speaking of Philadelphia, 5.5% of PA residents aged 18–64 were disability beneficiaries as of 2019.
Many applicants are confused and look for guidance from a skilled Philadelphia social security disability attorney to understand the conditions and qualifications for disability benefits. You can always reach out to an expert to get all your doubts cleared up.
Alternatively, you can also check the Blue Book, which contains a list of impairments. The Social Security Administration examiners use the Blue Book to determine whether eligibility criteria has been met.
Various medical conditions with detailed requirements have been listed in the Blue Book. The Book is further divided into two parts:
Part A – Part A is dedicated to adult disability assessments
Part B – The second part is dedicated to childhood disability assessments
Both parts are further divided into different disability sections that contain the criteria necessary for each of the listed medical conditions. If your condition matches the listing, there is a better chance of getting directly approved for disability benefits.
Before proceeding with the application process, applicants should note that all medical conditions are not listed in the Blue Book. You can still be approved for benefits even if the medical condition is not listed in the Blue Book.
In this case, the SSA will consider the severity of your condition and how it limits your abilities to perform various physical tasks. Applicants can consult a skilled Philadelphia social security disability lawyer for more information and assistance with filling out the application.
Different types of Social Security Disability Programs – Applicants should be familiar with both programs offered by the Social Security Administration. The eligibility criteria and qualifications differ in both programs. Here, we have provided a brief overview of each program to help you understand and choose the one you may be eligible for.
Be it SSDI or SSI, you will be required to submit your medical evidence to claim the benefits. Without proper medical evidence, your application may get denied. Lack of medical evidence and an incomplete application form can affect your chances of being approved. You can rely on a Philadelphia disability lawyer for all the paperwork.
Therefore, one should consider consulting a reputable lawyer to proceed with the claim. They are well-equipped with knowledge of the process and can handle the details on your behalf. Before commencing the application, they can review your application and help you understand your chances of getting approved.
As mentioned, the SSA administers two primary benefit programs known as SSDI and SSI. There are important distinctions between the two. Each has its own eligibility criteria and provides different benefits. General information for each program is provided below:
An SSDI eligibility determination is based on disability and work credits earned through a qualifying work history where a portion of payroll taxes are paid into the Social Security fund. An SSI determination is based on age or disability and limited income and resources. In most states, an SSI recipient will automatically qualify for Medicaid, whereas a person with SSDI will qualify for Medicare after 24 months of receiving disability payments, with the exception of people diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) who are eligible for Medicare immediately.
There are several advantages to hiring a disability lawyer for your disability claim. These include:
Many people do not hire a lawyer until after their first attempt at claiming benefits has been denied. This can delay entitlement to benefits for something as simple as administrative error. Hire a lawyer at the outset to improve your chances of being approved to receive benefits without having to appeal.
Applying for benefits can be a long and arduous process, but having a lawyer makes it much more manageable. A Social Security Disability Attorney at 1Lawyer.com can help to ensure that your claim is accurately filed and can represent you throughout the appeal process if you have already been denied. An initial denial can be painful. Contact a disability attorney to improve your chances of obtaining Social Security benefits for your disability.
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