How Do I Qualify For Disability

Effects Of A Disabling Medical Condition

You may be facing several difficulties due to a medical condition, and these challenges may determine your eligibility for disability benefits. If you are disabled and unable to hold down a steady job or any employment, you may experience:

• Constant state of financial strain
• Excessive stress
• Inability to engage in most of the activities that you enjoy
• Difficulty in providing for your family

More Specific Conditions That Could Entitle You To Benefits

It is important to note that every applicant presents individual circumstances that could qualify or disqualify them for benefits. With this in mind, some of the specific conditions the SSA lists under its broader medical categories include:

• Depressive disorder
• Bipolar disorder

These are just some of the many conditions the SSA lists as potential prerequisites for receiving disability benefits through one or more federal programs. Additional context may be required to determine your eligibility and the number of benefits you could receive if you are eligible. As such, these conditions do not automatically qualify you for disability benefits.

Effective Date Of Coverage

Once an individual is determined eligible for Medicaid, coverage is effective either on the date of application or the first day of the month of application. Benefits also may be covered retroactively for up to three months prior to the month of application, if the individual would have been eligible during that period had he or she applied. Coverage generally stops at the end of the month in which a person no longer meets the requirements for eligibility.

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How A Lawyer Can Help You File For Disability Benefits

Understandably, the Social Security Administrations list of medical impairments that qualify for disability benefits can be confusing for those seeking disability benefits. If the administration denies you SSDI, you can hire an attorney to appeal the decision.

It will take some time to prove your disability, but you do not have to do it alone. The Social Security Administration lets you designate a representative who can:

• Correspond with the SSA on your behalf
• Compile medical records to apply for benefits
• Fill out legal paperwork on your behalf
• Accompany you to interviews or hearings to complete your application

In the case of applying for SSDI or SSI, an attorney will make sure your application is accurate. A security disability attorney handles every aspect of the claim, from filing the claim to appealing the decision so that clients can focus on their health and well-being.

They will provide you with legal information about the Social Security Administrations designated conditions and medical requirements, as well as your disability claim status. The doctors can advise you if further evaluations are necessary to establish your disability.

What Does A Va Disability Rating Of 100% Really Mean

The words 100% disabled often conjure up images of totally incapacitated people, vets with traumatic brain injuries, and those who have lost limbs. However, a 100% VA disability can be determined in more than one way.

The first is through a catastrophic injury or illness, such as those described above. Also, any veteran being treated for an active cancer receives a 100% determination

A large number of veterans are rated as 100% disabled through an accumulation of other less serious conditions.

For example, a Vietnam veteran may have cardiovascular disease presumptively related to Agent Orange. Perhaps the VA determines that condition to be 40% disabling. He also has ankle issues stemming from a parachute jump for another 20% tinnitus and a small piece of shrapnel lodged in his knee that begins causing him trouble as he ages.

Together, the cumulative rating for those issues may add up to more than 100%, but the veteran may still be leading an active and relatively mobile life.

The VA has a program for just about anything a disabled veteran might need. There is a complete array of health care programs including full dental.

VA benefits can also help with education, employment, and housing. VA counselors constantly remind veterans If you need help with something, the VA most likely has a program to assist you.

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Access To Adaptive Housing

If you have a 100% service-connected disability, the VA may fund the modification of your house to accommodate your physical needs . You may even qualify for a grant to help build a new home although a yearly budget cap greatly limits the number of these larger grants. Or, if you are temporarily living with a family member, grants may be made to modify that home instead. A very useful handbook on this topic can be downloaded from:

Educational Assistance For Dependents

Significant aid is available for college and graduate degree programs, certificate courses, career counseling, apprenticeships and on-the-job-training programs. Even correspondence or remedial courses may be approved.

A spouse or child using the benefit could receive an estimated $1,400-a-month stipend while attending an approved education facility as a full-time student.

The amount and duration of benefits your dependents receive depends on a number of factors. Learn more at:

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Medicare Enrollment For Ssdi Recipients

To become eligible for Medicare based on disability, you must first qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance. SSDI pays monthly benefits to people with disabilities who might be limited in their ability to work. If you are injured or have a medical condition that limits your ability to work, you may be eligible for SSDI.

How Does A Person Qualify For Ssi

In addition to meeting the disability criteria , an SSI enrollee must meet several non-medical criteria, including having a low income. SSA has complex rules for determining financial eligibility. In general, income is anything received in cash, earned or unearned, that can be used to meet a persons need for food or shelter.17 Income is countable except for some limited amounts that are disregarded.18 Income also includes in kind support, such as any food or shelter provided or paid by another person. In kind support generally is valued at one-third of the maximum federal benefit amount.19 SSA also deems a portion of income from a persons spouse or parent/step-parent as countable income.20 To financially qualify for SSI, a persons countable income cannot exceed the maximum federal benefit rate , and the amount of SSI that a person actually receives is the maximum federal rate reduced by the amount of their countable income.21 These rules apply to SSI enrollees of all ages.

Figure 4: SSI Disability Determination Process for Adults

Figure 5: Disability and SSI Status of Nonelderly Adults with Medicaid, 2019

Figure 6: SSI Application Allowance Rate for Medical Decisions by Adjudicative Level, 2018

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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.

Do You Have An Attorney

While you can apply for disability and even attend an appeal hearing without a lawyer, most claimants hire a lawyer if they are initially denied. In a survey we did of our readers, those who had a lawyer at some point in the process were approved 60% of the time, while those who went it alone were approved only 34% of the time. Especially if you don’t have a clear-cut case, you might want to consider hiring a disability lawyer or advocate.

You could be eligible for up to $3,345 per month In SSDI Benefits

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Let Us Help You With Your Social Security Disability Claim

Even if you clearly qualify for SSDI benefits, you shouldn’t be surprised if your application for benefits is denied. Unfortunately, the SSA denies many legitimate claims. If you need help filling out your initial application for benefits or fighting for the benefits you deserve, our Roswell Social Security disability lawyers are here to help. Call our office today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.

How We Have Helped Our Clients Obtain Their Disability Benefits

At Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, we are relentless when it comes to getting our clients what they need and deserve. Here are a few examples of what our Social Security Disability clients have to say about our work and dedication:

Andrea stuck with me to the end. I could always get through to her. Her staff was great and would always get right back with me. I wasnt just a file in a cabinet and I was treated as if I was the only client. Lavonda

Andrea Farmer was very professional and was very instrumental in helping me get my social security disability and helping me draw up my power of attorney and will. I would strongly recommend her for any legal issues I would have. Douglas

Andreas service was excellent. She jumped on it immediately and didnt hesitate. She updated me on everything, explained everything to me and went over it several times. She did a wonderful, wonderful job. If anyone ever needs an attorney, she is the best! Rated #1! Richard

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Signs That You May Be Approved For Disability

If you have one of the top ten conditions that qualify for disability, after you send in your disability application, there may be signs that you may be approved for disability.

While it is not certain, these signs should present your help back up your case that you can no longer work because of your disability. The signs that you will be approved for disability include:

Additional Information For Disability Benefits Eligibility

The SSA outlines some of the requirements to apply for SSDI and SSI benefits. As part of your application, they will request additional information beyond these basic requirements. You may obtain benefits depending on how you answer these questions and how you present documentation.

Checklist for Online Adult Disability Application questions include the following:

• How old were you when you became disabled?
• How many years did you serve in the workforce before the disability?
• What is the nature and severity of your medical condition?
• What is your marital status?
• Do you have any dependents?
• Can you work to earn an income?
• What is your education and work history?

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Am I Eligible For Disability Insurance Benefits

Disability Insurance provides short-term wage replacement benefits to eligible California workers.

You may be eligible for DI if you are unable to work and are losing wages because of your own non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy.

In order to be eligible for DI benefits, you must:

• Be unable to do your regular or customary work for at least eight days.
• Have lost wages because of your disability.
• Be employed or actively looking for work at the time your disability begins.
• Have earned at least $300 from which State Disability Insurance deductions were withheld during your base period. Learn more with Calculating Benefit Payment Amounts.
• Be under the care and treatment of a licensed physician/practitioner or accredited religious practitioner within the first eight days of your disability. The date your claim begins can be adjusted if it does not meet this requirement. You must remain under care and treatment to continue receiving benefits.
• Complete and submit your Claim for Disability Insurance Benefits no earlier than nine days after your first day of disability begins but no later than 49 days, or you may lose benefits.
• Have your physician/practitioner complete the medical certification portion of your disability claim.
• A nurse practitioner may certify to a disability within their scope of practice.
• A licensed midwife, nurse-midwife, or nurse practitioner may complete the medical certification for disabilities related to normal pregnancy or childbirth.

Va Special Monthly Compensation Pay Rates

I hope you enjoy reading this blog post.

If you want to learn how to implement these strategies to get the VA benefits you deserve, to speak with a VA claim expert for free.

Today, Ill reveal and explain the new 2023 VA Special Monthly Compensation pay rates.

Generally, Special Monthly Compensation is additional monthly compensation given to veterans with combinations of disabilities or special needs that result in a higher level of overall disability.

The VA acknowledges that veterans with certain disabilities or combinations of disabilities are more debilitating than accounted for by the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

For example, SMC R2/T pays more than $10,000 per month, nearly triple the monthly compensation of 100% scheduler VA disability.

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How Long Do People On Disability Have To Wait To Become Eligible For Medicare

Once you have collected SSDI payments for two years, you will become eligible for Medicare. You wont even have to sign upMedicare will automatically enroll you in Part A and Part B and mail your Medicare card to you shortly before your coverage begins.

Thankfully, your 24-month waiting period doesnt have to be all at once. For example, if you qualify for SSDI, lose eligibility, then re-qualify for SSDI, each month you collect checks counts toward the total 24-month waiting period.

Similarly, if you apply for SSDI and are denied disability benefits, you can appeal the decision. If you appeal and the decision is reversed, your 24-month waiting period will be backdated to when your disability benefits should have started. The result: your wait for Medicare will be shorter than two years.

What Is The Most Approved Disability

There is no single condition that is the most approved disability, but several medical disabilities that get fast-tracked as a debilitating disability. Some of the most approved disabilities include:

1. Heart Disease

Heart disease represents one of the most deadly medical conditions, which the SSA recognizes by making the disease a priority when reviewing claims. If you suffer from congenital heart failure or a defect, you should qualify to receive fast-track approval for disability benefits.

2. Arthritis

Arthritis and other types of musculoskeletal disabilities rank near the top of the most commonly approved disabilities for the Compassionate Allowance program. This is because acute arthritis symptoms make it highly difficult, if not impossible for an applicant to continue working.

3. Degenerative Disc Disease

As with arthritis, the symptoms that are associated with degenerative disc disease prevent workers from completing physically demanding job tasks. Usually impacting adults 60 years or older, degenerative disc disease can be disabling enough to prevent workers from simply walking around an office or a job site.

4. Cancer

5. Mental Illness

Other types of disabilities that get fast-tracked for disability benefits include lung disease, liver disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord damage, and complete vision or hearing loss.

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Benefits For Children With Disabilities

A child under age 18 may have a disability, but we don’t need to consider the child’s disability when deciding if he or she qualifies for benefits as a dependent. The child’s benefits normally stop at age 18 unless they are a full-time student in an elementary or high school or have a qualifying disability.

Children who were receiving benefits as a minor child on a parents Social Security record may be eligible to continue receiving benefits on that parents record upon reaching age 18 if they have a qualifying disability.

What Conditions Qualify For Disability

Conditions that qualify for disability include: arthritis, heart disease, degenerative disc disease, and mental health diseases. If you have a medical condition that is severe enough that you will be out of work for at least 12 months you may be able to qualify for disability benefits.

The SSA has an entire list of conditions that qualify for disability benefits, known as the Blue Book. The types of conditions that qualify for disability listed in the Blue Book include musculoskeletal disorder, special senses and speech, respiratory disorders, cardiovascular system disorders, digestive system, genitourinary disorders, hematological disorders, skin disorders, endocrine disorders, congenital disorders that affect multiple body systems, neurological disorders, mental disorders, cancer, and immune system disorders.

Only a few medical conditions may automatically qualify for disability, such as ALS, an organ transplant, or certain dangerous cancers, such as esophageal cancer, mucosal melanoma, anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid gland, or small-cell carcinoma, will result in automatic disability approval . The next step for all other medical conditions for disability benefits approval is to see if your medical condition satisfies the precise requirements outlined for by the SSA for that condition.

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Apply Online For Disability Benefits

Social Security offers an online disability application you can complete at your convenience. Apply from the comfort of your home or any location at a time most convenient for you. You do not need to drive to your local Social Security office or wait for an appointment with a Social Security representative.

You can use the online application to apply for disability benefits if you:

• Are age 18 or older
• Are not currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record
• Are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death: and
• Have not been denied disability benefits in the last 60 days. If your application was recently denied for medical reasons, the Internet Appeal is a starting point to request a review of the medical determination we made.

• Print and review the Adult Disability Checklist.

  It will help you gather the information you need to complete the application.

We suggest that you have the following information at hand. It will make completing the application much easier.

We may ask you to provide documents to show that you are eligible, such as:

Important

We accept photocopies of W-2 forms, self-employment tax returns or medical documents, but we must see the original of most other documents, such as your birth certificate.

Mailing Your Documents

After we receive your online application, we will: