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How To Apply For Disability Benefits In Georgia

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Applying for SSDI Benefits in Georgia – Updated for 2021 | Citizens Disability

Suze Orman shares how to get disability benefits in less timeâwith no out-of-pocket costs

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    Apply For Disability Benefits On Your Own

    In recent years, the Social Security Administration has tried to make it faster and easier to initiate disability claims. There are now several options for individuals to apply for disability insurance benefits.

    Make a call: One simple phone call can begin your application for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. You can call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. The SSA office will begin your application over the phone, then mail you the appropriate forms, and set up an appointment for you to speak with your local SSA office either by phone or in person.

    File in person: You can also file a disability claim by going to your local Social Security Office and meeting with one of their staff members. This step usually takes approximately 120 days.File online:To expedite your claim, go to the Internet. You can also initiate your disability claim online by visiting the SSAs Apply for Disability page. Scroll down to the bottom and review the four steps. There is one form you will have to print, sign and mail or bring to your local office. If your claim is for both SSDI and SSI, or for SSI only, you must either go to your local Social Security District Office, or call SSA at 1-800-772-1213.

    Temporary Vs Permanent Disability

    Some workers who are injured on the job receive benefits from both temporary total and permanent partial disability. Unfortunately, understanding these different benefits and why you are receiving them tends to be confusing.

    Temporary partial disability benefits compensate you for lost wages. If you cant work because of your injury, then the insurance company must pay you these benefits.

    However, you may be entitled to permanent partial disability payments if your body suffered a permanent impairment because of your injury.

    Both of these benefits should be paid to the injured worker on a weekly basis and the amounts should be equal to each other.

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    Applying For Disability Benefits

    You can apply for Social Security Disability benefits online or in person at your local Social Security office. You will be asked to fill out a number of forms, which you should complete with as much detail as possible, and you may be asked to attend a consultative exam. After completing the disability application process, you will receive a decision from the SSA within two to four months. If you are approved for benefits, this notice will tell you when benefits will begin, which benefits you will be receiving, and how much you will be receiving each month. If you are denied benefits, you have 60 days from the date of denial to appeal the SSAs decision to deny benefits.

    If you do need to pursue a Social Security Disability appeal, do not give up hope. A number of applicants who are denied during the initial stage of the application process go on to successfully receive benefits through the process of an appeal

    How Do I Apply For Disability Benefits

    Georgia Disability Benefits

    How does a deserving claimant file an application for SSI or SSDI? There is no charge to apply for SSDI or SSI. Perhaps the simplest method to start the disability application process is to call Social Security, toll-free, at 800-772-1213. When you call, be prepared to navigate through several levels of voice mail before you get to a real person.

    More recently SSA has been experiencing delays at the 800 number call centers because of call overloads brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. Generally, the best times to reach the call center are Tuesday through Thursday after 10am EST.

    You can also apply in person at your local Social Security office. Here, too, you are likely to experience long delays as SSA district office personnel are very busy.

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    How To File Your Georgia Workers Compensation Claim For Benefits

    State law requires Georgia workers compensation insurance coverage for each employer with three or more employees in this state. That law applies equally to full-time and part-time employees starting on their first day at work. According to the Georgia State Board of Workers Compensation, you must follow these steps to apply for benefits:

  • If you need urgent medical care, go to the ER first! Otherwise, you must choose an employer-approved healthcare provider instead. Your employer should post a toll-free number where you can contact an approved Georgia Workers Compensation Managed Care Organization 24/7. If not, ask your supervisor for the list of six doctors authorized to treat you under your employers insurance policy.
  • You have 30 days to report any workplace illness or injury that isnt life-threatening to your supervisor. Failure to do so may invalidate your workers compensation claim. Your employer must then notify the insurance companys claims adjuster using Form WC-1.
  • Fill out and submit Form WC-14 to the State Board of Workers Compensation to start your claim. Youll also want to keep a copy for your records and provide your employer with a copy, too.
  • If approved, you should get your first check within 21 days from your first missed work shift. You must miss 7 days at work before qualifying for lost wage payments. If youre out for 21 consecutive days, your employers insurer should cover that first weeks lost wages.
  • Information About Family Members

    • Social Security numbers and proof of age for each family member who may qualify for benefits and
    • Proof of marriage, if your spouse is applying for benefits, as well as dates of prior marriages, if applicable.

    If you don’t have all the documents you need, don’t delay filing for benefits. We will help you get the information you need.

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    Qualifications For Social Security Disability In Georgia

    All applications go through the Social Security Administration. To qualify for SSD benefits, you need to meet the following criteria:

    • Worked in a job that paid into Social Security taxes for a certain length of time
    • Have a medical condition that the SSA considers a disability
    • Unable to work because of that medical condition, which is expected to last 12 months or more

    How Work Credits Work

    Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits In Georgia

    You must have a certain number of work credits to qualify for the work portion of SSD. For most people, the minimum work credits are 40 overall with 20 being earned within the last 10 years before you became disabled. If you are a younger worker, you may be able to qualify with fewer credits.

    The way credits are earned has changed throughout the years but currently, you can earn up to four credits per year if youre working and paying Social Security taxes. If youve worked a significant portion of your lifetime, chances are good that youve earned enough credits to meet the minimum for benefits.

    If you dont have enough work credits, you probably wont qualify for benefits. However, you can earn more if you return to work at any time. Your work credits stay on your record.

    to find a John Foy office near you

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    Other Ways You Can Apply

    Apply With Your Local Office

    You can do most of your business with Social Security online. If you cannot use these online services, your local Social Security office can help you apply. Although our offices are closed to the public, employees from those offices are assisting people by telephone. You can find the phone number for your local office by using our Office Locator and looking under Social Security Office Information. The toll-free Office number is your local office.

    Apply By Phone

    If You Do Not Live in the U.S. Or One of Its Territories

    Contact the if you live outside the U.S. or a U.S. territory and wish to apply for retirement benefits.

    Mailing Your Documents

    If you mail any documents to us, you must include the Social Security number so that we can match them with the correct application. Do not write anything on the original documents. Please write the Social Security number on a separate sheet of paper and include it in the mailing envelope along with the documents.

    Getting Approved If You Qualify

    Although the qualifications sound pretty simple, actually getting approved is another story. When you submit your application, the SSA uses a specific determination process when going over your file.

    For example, your medical condition must be severe enough to meet the SSAs disability criteria. The SSA has a Listing of Impairments with conditions that may qualify. The condition must greatly limit you from being able to perform even basic work-related activities, such as walking, sitting, standing, lifting, and remembering, for at least a year.

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    Applying For Social Security Disability Benefits In Georgia

    If you have been diagnosed with cancer and are unable to work, you should apply for Social Security disability benefits. These benefits are administered through the Social Security Administration . These monthly benefits can be used for medical care and for living expenses. To apply for disability benefits, visit www.ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213 to schedule an appointment at the Social Security field office in Georgia that is nearest you. Some of the field offices in Georgia include:

    Social Security Office401 W Peachtree Street NW Suite 2860Atlanta, GA 30308

    2565 Thompson Bridge Road #210Gainesville, GA 30501

    Cost Of Living Adjustment Option

    Long Term Disability Insurance

    To determine the cost of the COLA option:

    • If you are paid monthly, divide your annual salary by 12 months, then multiply it by 0.0012 to get a monthly premium.
    • If you are paid bi-weekly, multiply your hourly rate by 2080, then multiply the total by 0.0012 and divide by 24 to get your bi-weekly premium.

    Examples:

    • For a full-time monthly paid employee:Annual Salary: $40,000Divide by 12 months: $3,333Multiply by 0.0012: $4.00
    • For a full-time biweekly paid employee:Hourly Rate: $18.00Multiply by 2080 hours: $37,440Multiply by 0.0012Divide by 24 pay periods: $1.87Biweekly Premium = $1.87

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    Proving Your Claim Means Getting The Right Medical Evidencelocal Attorneys Can Help

    For VA disability claims, you must prove that you are at least as likely as not to have a service-linked disability. That means you must show there is at least a 50% chance or more that you are disabled in connection to your service.

    While this is much less stringent than other types of benefits programs that require overwhelming evidence of severe disabilities, you may still be denied or receive a disability rating that is too low if your evidence is insufficient.

    Evidence youll need to prove your claim includes:

    • Service records such as DD214s or service treatment records
    • Medical evidence proving your condition
    • Potential exams by VA or other doctors
    • A nexus letter from a doctor detailing the nature of your disability and its connection to your service

    A Nexus letter must meet the VAs standards in detailing the necessary proof that your condition qualifies you for benefits. A doctor who is inexperienced with working with VA disability claimants may not be as familiar with the VAs expectations in terms of the burden of proof for your condition.

    However, a local attorney with experience assisting veterans with their claims will understand the VAs expectations and be familiar with local physicians who can help. Some doctors may have more experience than others with working with VA disability patients and serving as medical expert witnesses. A Georgia VA disability attorney will be able to connect you with doctors with direct VA disability experience.

    Contact Our Attorneys Today If You Need Help With Your Social Security Disability Application

    Many Social Security Disability applicants get their first application denied. At John Foy & Associates, our Social Security Disability lawyers can help you strengthen your application and/or appeal a denial. We can also help you determine if you qualify and make sure your application continues all of the required information.

    Dont consider a denied application to be the end of the road. You have options. For a FREE consultation to go over your application, call us today at or fill out the form on this page to get started today.

    Call or text or complete a Free Case Evaluation form

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    Who Qualifies For Ssdi

    • People who have worked for a number of years and had enough money taken out of their paychecks for Social Security
    • Self-employed people who paid self-employment taxes
    • You must meet Social Securitys very strict definition of disability to qualify for SSDI.
    • Having a low income or financial needs do not affect whether you can get SSDI.

    If you get turned down for SSDI, reapply, and appeal if necessary. Many cases end up being approved after an appeal. The amount you get from SSDI will be based on how long you worked, and how much Social Security tax was taken from your pay. Once you apply for SSDI, the disability clock starts running.

    If your disability application is approved, you will usually receive your first benefit payment six months after the date the Social Security Administration finds that your disability began. You will also become eligible for Medicare after you’ve received SSDI benefits for 2 years.

    If you qualify and start getting SSDI, your spouse and any eligible children can also apply for SSDI. If you find you dont qualify for SSDI, but you are disabled and have limited income and resources, look into Supplemental Security Income . This program also can pay benefits to the disabled, but is based on your income and need.

    Disability Placards In Georgia

    Social Security Disability Benefits – Georgia

    Disabled drivers may obtain a DMV handicap parking permit in Georgia by submitting an application through the state Department of Revenue . Motorists may apply either for temporary or permanent disability parking stickers, depending on the disability they have. The handicap parking sticker in GA is better known as a permit or a placard. A disabled person placard may be used for parking a motor vehicle in specific parking places marked for disabled drivers. Before motorists submit an application, they need to satisfy several eligibility criteria and requirements.

    The application for disability placards may be completed as soon as you meet the necessary qualifications. Moreover, motorists are also required to conduct a handicap placard renewal when approaching the expiration date of their current placards. However, drivers need to find out how to replace their parking tags in case their current one gets lost or stolen. To find out more information about how to obtain a permit and how to renew or replace it, continue reading the sections below.

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    Can You Do Any Other Type Of Work

    If you cant do the work you did in the past, we look to see if there is other work you could do despite your medical impairment.

    We consider your medical conditions, age, education, past work experience, and any transferable skills you may have. If you cant do other work, well decide you are disabled. If you can do other work, well decide that you dont have a qualifying disability and your claim will be denied.

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    Apply To The New Option Waiver Program And Comprehensive Support Waiver Program

    These Medicaid waiver programs support eligible Georgians with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities

    A Medicaid waiver is money that may be used to pay for services for a person with intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities. These services can take place in the persons home or in the community.

    NOW and COMP are for eligible people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who require an intermediate care facility.

    NOW offers services and support to enable individuals to remain living on their own or in their family home and participate in the community.

    COMP serves individuals with more intensive needs, primarily those with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who require residential care.

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    How Do You Know If Youre Receiving The Right Benefits

    Injured workers have a lot to deal with. In addition to being hurt, they are trying to keep their family feeling secure while dealing with these sudden financial burdens. It can be hard to know that theyre getting all of the benefits to which they are entitled.

    This is why its critical for people who were injured on the job in Georgia to contact a qualified Georgia workers compensation attorney at Gerber & Holder.

    With knowledgeable legal counsel working for you, its possible for you to focus on recovering, knowing that youre receiving all the benefits to which they are entitled.

    To begin this process, contact us today for your free consultation.

    Getting Social Disability In Georgia

    Dublin Social Security Disability (SSD) Lawyers

    Georgia Disability Claim Advocates: If you are applying for social security disability in Georgia, you need to know more about the process. You should also know a bit about the approval rates and how long you would need to wait for an appeal hearing. It is also recommended that you know the costs associated with this and about the small state supplement.

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