Applying for Social Security disability benefits is one of the most complex administration procedures today. There is so much work that you have to do to reach the final step of being approved for benefits. Having countless medical documents, filling government documents, and adhering to small details are some of the tasks you have to undertake so that you can be at a point where your file is put forward for consideration purposes.
Nevertheless, giving up is not the best option. You have to keep working hard on the entire application to give yourself a chance of getting some benefits. If you qualify for Social Security disability, you will benefit in the following areas:
- You will access money to pay for your medication
- You will access funds to take care of your family
- You will get access to a life insurance policy
- You will access unemployment benefits
- You’ll get survivor benefits that will go to close family members
Mistakes to Avoid
However, to record the necessary benefits, you must understand all the required steps you’ll need to take to get successful results. Many people fail because they make the following mistakes.
Waiting Too Long Before Applying
A considerable number of people believe that you have to wait for 12 months before applying for Social Security disability benefits. The truth is, you have the option of applying as early as the day you become disabled. However, the law states that your disability must be expected to remain for at least 12 months. This rule has been introduced to limit people with short-term disabilities from accessing the funds.
Continuing to Work While Applying
Congress designed SSDI to benefit people who have been incapacitated and cannot generate income to sustain their lives. This means that any person who can work and get sustainable income does not qualify for the benefits because they have not been incapacitated.
This is not to say that you can’t do any work. Say, for example, you once held a corporate job before your injury, but now you are only able to hold down a part-time job at a bookstore. This isn’t enough income to live on, and it’s as a result of the accident that you can’t earn a living wage. If your income falls below the substantial gainful activity level, you can receive SSDI.
Failing to Provide Medical Records
Proving you’re incapacitated is one of the most problematic aspects of the entire application process. You have to prove to the board that you can no longer work in your industry. You have to provide sufficient medical records with enough and adequate information to prove you’re disabled.
Many people ignore this, but to qualify for disability benefits, you need to work with an experienced medical expert who will diagnose for disability and provide a detailed report about your condition. The Social Security Administration may also appoint a doctor for you.
Not Working With a Lawyer
Applying for SSDI benefits is a process that is guided and controlled by complex legal statutes and provisions that you need to understand to stand a chance of getting approved. These statutes and requirements can only be understood, interpreted, and applied by an experienced Social Security disability attorney who has been in the industry for several years. As such, you need to hire a lawyer to help you throughout the process of applying for disability benefits.
Social Security benefits have consistently proven to be essential to millions of people who are disabled. Every person who cannot work and has medical information to confirm their disability can apply for these benefits to sustain their lives.
However, to qualify for disability benefits, one must avoid amateur mistakes that many people commit. Your best shot at this is to seek out the help of an attorney. Follow this link to learn more about the SSDI application process.