Disability Benefit Questions

When someone becomes disabled, they may be eligible to receive social security benefits. Social Security bases disability on someone’s ability to work. Claimants must go through a formal application process to determine if they qualify for benefits. Claimants may seek the representation of an attorney to help them through this process.

How to Apply for Disability

• Apply for disability online, on the phone, or in person at the Social Security office. First, claimants should call the office to get the process started. Claimants must set up an appointment for an in-person or telephone interview, depending on the claimants’ disability.

How is Disability Defined?

• Claimants must be medically or psychologically impaired in a way that prevents the claimant from working and earning more than $900.00 each month.

How are Disability Claims Evaluated?

• A claimant’s application for disability is sent to the Disability Determination Services office, where the case is assigned to a Disability Determination Services examiner. He requests the claimant’s medical records from each treatment source the claimant listed on the application, such as doctors, physical therapists, and hospitals. The examiner will also review medical test results and imaging studies, like x-rays and magnetic resonance images (MRIs).

  Doctors’ statements must detail claimants’ symptoms, strength, and range of motion. They must give a diagnosis, prognosis, and reasons why the claimant cannot work.

  Applications for disability can be reviewed in as little as 30 days or as long as two years. The average disability claim takes 100 days to process, according to the Social Security and Disability Resource Center.

What if Your Claim is Denied?

• Claimants whose applications for disability are denied should request an appeal as soon as possible. Claimants only have 60 days to file an appeal. They should call the Social Security office themselves to officially file. Their attorney or social security representative can complete the paperwork as long as the formal appeal was filed by the deadline.

  Appealed claims have a higher chance of being approved than starting over with a brand new claim.