What Do You Need To File For Disability

How Is A Social Security Lawyer Paid

Do You Need An Attorney To File Your Social Security Disability Claim?

A disability lawyer is not paid unless your case has been approved by the SSA. When this happens and you have started to receive your disability benefit payments your lawyer will then be rewarded. There is a limit set for a lawyers payment and thats $6,000 or 25% of your back pay. So you dont need to worry about paying upfront fees to a social security lawyer until your claim has been successful.

List Your Diagnosed Medical Conditions

As part of the SSA’s requirements for Social Security disability insurance benefits or Supplemental Security Income , you must be diagnosed with a medical condition by a licensed doctor or psychologist. In addition, to be evaluated for disability, this impairment must have more than a slight effect on your ability to perform work.

If your medical records are not that lengthy or comprehensive, by submitting a medical source statement to Social Security, your doctor can show exactly what medical conditions you have been diagnosed with. Moreover, the doctor can explain what symptoms and limitations you are experiencing from your impairments. The failure of the SSA to properly consider all of your impairments can be a strong basis for any future disability appeal, so it is good to have them all documented in your claim file.

Information On Your Children And Spouse

If youre married or a parent and youre applying for benefits for yourself, youll also need information on your spouse and children, including Social Security numbers, birthdates, and their living arrangements. This is because your husband or wife and your children may be able to receive dependent benefits.

Recommended Reading: Can You Get Social Security Disability For Spinal Stenosis

Do You Need To Pay Taxes On Your Ssdi Benefits

Whether or not you will need to pay taxes on your Social Security Disability benefits will depend on the amount of income you received last year. If your income minus your deductions is greater than the base income , any amount of income you made over the base income for your status is taxable.

On top of figuring out whether a portion of your income will be taxable, you will also need to figure out at what percentage that portion will be taxed. Similar to a standard tax bracket system, the higher you are above the base income, the more your benefits will be taxed. This can greatly assist those individuals and families who are just above the base income for taxation, but not drawing enough money to be taxed at a higher rate.

While the tax legalese can be confusing, you should have received two forms from the Social Security Administration that should make the process easier: Form SSA-1099 and Notice 703, which is a worksheet that helps you determine your income.

Know How Your Policy Covers You

What Do You Need to Apply for Social Security Disability ...

Own-occupation policies qualify you for benefits if you canât work at your current job but could potentially do other work, meaning that you can still earn an income while claiming disability insurance benefits.

If you have an any-occupation policy, you may not be able to claim benefits if youâre able to do other types of work, even if that work pays significantly less than your current job.

A licensed representative at Policygenius can help you choose a disability insurance plan that offers the most protection for your income when you become disabled.

Also Check: What Is The Medical Model Of Disability

Are You Eligible To Apply For Benefits

Anyone is able to apply. Your local Social Security office staff will review the non-medical portion of your application to determine the benefits for which you are eligible. They will look at your work history, your age, your income and your resources.

In Oklahoma, your application is then sent to the Disability Determination Services . The DDS, a division of the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services, is responsible for making timely, and accurate disability determinations in accordance with Social Security Rules and Regulations.

DDS personnel, consisting of a physician or psychologist and a disability examiner, will consider all the facts in your case using medical information from your doctors, hospitals, clinics, and other places where you have been treated to determine if you are found to be medically disabled.

Once a determination on your claim is reached, you will get a written notice from the Social Security Administration explaining the determination. If your claim is approved, the notice will show the amount of your benefit and when payments will start.

What Information Do I Need To Get From My Doctor

The exact information you need to get from your doctor depends on the basis of your claim. Here are some examples.

Back pain. A claimant who files for disability based on lumbar and thoracic spinal stenosis and who has received treatment from an orthopedic doctor, a neurosurgeon, a physical therapist, and a pain management doctor needs the following types of information:

copies of CT scans, x-rays, and MRIs that show the extent of the spinal stenosis
radiologists’ reports that describe the findings from imaging studies
records from any surgical attempts to relieve the symptoms
detailed records of pain management visits, including medication list, dosages, reported side effects, and results from random urinalysis demonstrating compliance with prescribed medication
detailed physical therapy plan and the applicant’s response to treatment
statements from doctor about applicant’s ability to work , and
physical residual functional capacity assessments .

Mental illness. A claimant who files for disability based on bi-polar disorder and generalized anxiety disorder and who has attended an in-treatment program at a local psychiatric facility on weekends needs the following type of information:

Combination of impairments. A claimant who files for disability based on type 2 diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , and depression needs to provide the following types of information in support of her claim:

Recommended Reading: Is Brittle Bone Disease A Disability

How The Eitc Affects Other Government Benefits

If you apply for or get benefits or assistance using a program that uses federal funds, the refund you get when you claim the EITC does not count as income. It cant be counted as income for at least 12 months after you get it.

To find out if this rule applies to your benefits, check with your benefit coordinator.

Whether You Would Miss Any Days Of Work

Social Security Disability Application- What do I need?

The SSA could find you disabled if you are unable to work on a regular basis for a 40-hour workweek. As such, your doctor should discuss whether fatigue or pain would cause you to miss any days of work in a typical month, and how many days of work you would miss. For example, your doctor could verify whether you experience ongoing flare-ups of pain from your back impairment, the pain cannot be effectively controlled by medication, and the level of pain is so severe that it prevents you from performing work activities for at least three days a month.

Recommended Reading: Is Benign Intracranial Hypertension A Disability

What Are The Benefits Of Short Term Disability

STD provides crucial income replacement when a person is unable to work and bring in an income. Ask yourself could your family pay all their bills and maintain their current lifestyle if you were unable to work for up to 26 weeks?

If the answer is no, you can begin to see how STD can help ease financial strain and the stresses that come with an accident, illness, or injury that prevents you from working.

Also Check: Can You Get Social Security Disability If You Have Copd

Register For Sdi Online

You will be assigned an EDD Customer Account Number once you complete the registration process. You will also receive a registration confirmation by email and mail.

To file your claim online, follow these steps:

Select SDI Online.

Select Disability Insurance and follow the steps in each section.

Submit the completed Part A Claimants Statement.

Save your receipt number. You must provide this number to your physician/practitioner.

You must submit your DI claim within this timeframe:

Wait nine days after you become disabled to file your claim.
File your claim within 49 days of becoming disabled to avoid disqualification.

Note: It may be necessary for us to send you some documents by mail, even if you select electronic communications as your preference.

Your Doctor’s Detailed Opinion Of Your Impairments And Limitations Are Key In Your Social Security Disability Claim

By Melissa Linebaugh, Contributing Author

The Social Security Administration relies on doctor’s records and medical evidence to determine whether you are disabled. Although the SSA will request records from the list of providers you have given them, it is your responsibility to ensure that the agency has received all of your pertinent medical records, and that your doctor has provided the information in a helpful way. Submitting accurate and complete information from the doctor who treats you for your impairment is vital to winning your claim.

Should I Use A Vso Or A Local Rep To Assist With My Claim

When Do You Need Social Security Disability?

We encourage our Veterans to check out all their options when deciding how to approach filing a VA Disability Claim, we do this to ensure we are keeping your best interests at heart. Unfortunately, the VA gets a bad rap because they are underworked and underpaid! They simply dont have the time to go through every single case, find out whats missing, and help you get those documents!;

VA Claims Insider was founded because Brian Reese spent hours stuck, stressed, and frustrated due to not knowing how to properly file his initial VA disability claims. In the past few years, the VACI team has found the best strategies, skills, and knowledge to get you the compensation you deserve. This is why we have filled the YouTube channel, Podcast, Blog, and with FREE and proven skills to winning your claim.

Don’t Miss: Are Taxes Taken Out Of Short Term Disability

The Disability Insurance Claim Packet

Youâll be required to submit a claim packet when you file your claim. The claim packet is a collection of forms that you need to fill out as well as legal documentation that describes your rights and responsibilities as an applicant for disability insurance benefits.

The claim packet also details your disability and its severity to prove to the insurer that youâre disabled and eligible for benefits. A typical claim packet will ask for the following information:

Initial Va Disability Claims: What You Need To Know

I just got out and I havent filed my initial VA Disability Claims, should I wait to file?

This is a myth that you should wait until things are bad before filing! The reality of it is that the longer you wait after getting out the harder it will be to service-connect your disability.

This is why we encourage every Veteran to file as soon as they get out. Applying for increases or secondary conditions comes very easily after you have this! VA Claims Insider can help you at any point in your VA Claim, and there are several things you need to completely understand your claim process. This includes, what is an intent to file and when should I submit it, how far after retirement can I start a claim, is there an expiration period, and what is my role during the decision process? As always, check out this HIGH-VALUE information and reach out with any questions!

About the Author

Don’t Miss: Does A Pension Affect Social Security Disability Benefits

Va Claims Insider And Initial Va Disability Claims

A lot of the information you read or watch about VA Claims Insiders is directed towards Veterans who have been underrated and need assistance fighting the VA, well, we are also here to get the initial VA disability claims ball rolling!;

In fact, it is EASIER to do it right the first time, instead of waiting years after. When filing with the VA for Disability Compensation there are things that our educated Veterans Claim Coaches will need to pass onto you.;;

One of our biggest services we provide is education, we educate you on the what, when, and hows; to successfully file a fully developed claim the first go around and help to get you a fair rating straight out the gate. VACI coaches you from start to finish with all things VA Claims, including before your C&P exam, if you need a DBQ and NEXUS, and your personal statement. By going through the VACI network, you will be well aware of what youre missing with your VA claim. Why wait years of getting denial letters and the stress when we can help you get it right the FIRST time!

What Documents Will I Need To Support My Claim

How do I File a Social Security Disability Application.

We require certain documents to support all claims for disability benefits.

Youll need to submit or give us permission to gather these:

Your DD214 or other separation documents
Your service treatment records
Any medical evidence related to your illness or injury

Note: In 1973, a fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis destroyed records held for Veterans who were discharged from the Army and Air Force during certain periods of time. Your records may have been destroyed in the fire if you were discharged from the Army between November 1, 1912, and January 1, 1960, or if you were discharged from the Air Force between September 25, 1947, and January 1, 1964. If you think your records may have been involved in this fire, you can learn more about the fire and how to get help filing a claim.Learn more about the fire at the NPRC

How An Independent Insurance Agent Can Help

An independent insurance agent can be your knight in shining armor when it comes to figuring out your disability insurance. When you feel like its hopeless to find the right kind of coverage at the right price, they gallop in with coverage options that all fit right inside your budget.;;

And when it comes to getting answers on questions like tax deductions and so on, theyve got your back. Go on, give your local independent insurance agent a call and get going on your short-term disability insurance before its too late.

Understand Your Short Term Disability Coverage

Before you apply for Short Term Disability, its important that you understand your insurance coverage. If you are offered group disability coverage through your employer, contact your Plan The administrator or Human Resource staff to help understand the extent of the coverage, or consult your benefits booklet. In case your employer does provide this coverage, you will be required to make your claim through the group plan.

Although your employer does not offer short term disability coverage as part of their group plan, you may be eligible for Employment Insurance benefits. For more information on whether you qualify for EI, check out the government of Canadas website here.

Other elements of your coverage that are important to understanding are your coverage amounts, which relate to how much benefit you will receive and how often. You will also want to know when you will start receiving the benefit if the benefit is taxable, and if your plan covers the third party claims management service like the Disability Management Institute as do most plans at GroupHEALTH.

Don’t Miss: How Much Does Disability Pay In Michigan

Understand Your Recovery And Treatment Timelines

Work with your doctor to understand how much time you will be unable to work. Short term disability benefit terms depend on your insurance coverage, but commonly can provide you with income assistance for up to 6 months. If your doctor recommends that you remain off work for longer than 6 months, you may be required to apply for Long Term Disability benefits, if you have this coverage.

Understanding your timeline can also involve making a transition plan for returning to work. You should consult with your doctor or treatment team and your employer to ensure that you have a safe and viable return-to-work plan. This can include returning to light duties or starting back to work on a part-time basis.

What Is Disability Insurance

In a nutshell, disability insurance is used as income replacement if you suffer a non-work-related injury, illness, or disability and cant bring in a paycheck.;

Typically covering between 40%-70% of your salary, this can be a big help when you need to focus on recovering. But there are a number of different types of disability insurance out there to choose from, such as:

Individual long-term disability insurance: This disability insurance, you guessed it, is for the long term with benefits that pay out for years and sometimes decades, depending on coverage.
Individual short-term disability insurance: This is just like long-term disability, but think days and months instead of years and decades. This will also provide coverage for pregnancy and birth events too.
Group long-term disability insurance: Group long-term provides coverage to a group of employees through your employer. It provides disability coverage for years, and normally a health exam is not needed to qualify. Thats a big bonus.
Group short-term disability insurance: This is another employer-offered group plan and very similar to group long-term disability coverage. The difference is this policy is for months of disability coverage, not years. A lot of times its paid for by your employer, but not always.

Government-backed disability programs:;

Also Check: How To Get 70 Percent Va Disability