Requirements For Obtaining Disability Benefits In Pennsylvania
Statistics estimate that about 13.4% of Pennsylvanians have a disability. For;some, their;health conditions;are easy to manage ;but others have impairments that are so;severe that employment becomes completely impossible. When a medical condition negatively impacts;your ability to earn income, the financial consequences can be devastating. Fortunately, you may be able to qualify for social security disability benefits through the Social Security Administration .
Unfortunately, it can often be extremely difficult to qualify without the assistance of an experienced disability benefits attorney. Statistically speaking, well over half of all Pennsylvania claimants are denied after making their initial application, and the denial rate skyrockets to about 90% during the Reconsideration stage of appeals. While it may be difficult to get a claim approved, it isnt impossible but you do need a basic understanding of the eligibility criteria and application process. Read on to learn more about the requirements for getting SSDI in Pennsylvania from the legal team at Young, Marr & Associates.
Diagnosis Of A Medically Determinable Impairment
To be considered disabled, a physician preferably a specialist must diagnose you with a serious medical condition. You must be undergoing treatment on a regular basis. Your condition must be diagnosed by laboratory or diagnostic tests that are accepted by the medical community.
The SSA will not consider you ‘disabled’ if you don’t have an official diagnosis; symptoms alone are not enough.
How To Appeal A Denial In Pennsylvania
If your application for SSDI benefits is denied, you have the right to appeal through a social security disability hearing. The Office of Disability Adjudication and Review will schedule your hearing for an Administrative Law Judge to review your case for reconsideration.
You will present any new evidence and can give your testimony and statements from witnesses. Hearings occur in person at one of many local hearing offices, or you can attend the hearing through a teleconference. An attorney is authorized to represent you. You may want to consult a social security disability lawyer to help you through the process because of their experience and knowledge with SSD benefits claims.
The deadline to request an appeal is 60 days from the day you received your disability determination letter. Written requests should be sent to your local field office or the address indicated on your decision letter.
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Should I Hire A Social Security Disability Lawyer
Dealing with the government throughout the course of your SSD claim can be a long, frustrating process. Let us handle the work for you. Our experienced Social Security Disability attorneys in Pennsylvania understand the system and know the type of documentation required in order to get your claim approved. We can help you with the confusing paperwork and guide you through all stages of the application and appeals process.
Working with a lawyer provides a number of important benefits. The SSD attorneys at Metzger Wickersham can provide legal support in the following ways:
- We can help gather medical records that prove your injuries and the impact those injuries have had on your life.
- If the case progresses to a hearing, we can represent you and ensure that your case is presented clearly, completely, and convincingly.
- We can ensure that all of your paperwork is filled out accurately and submitted in a timely manner.
- We can assist you with the appeals process if your claim has already been denied. Appealing a denied claim with experienced legal support is often more successful than re-applying.
Find Out About Pennsylvania’s State Supplemental Payments Plus How To Appeal A Denial Of Social Security Disability Or Ssi And Whether You Qualify For Medicaid
By Melissa Linebaugh, Contributing Author
Disabled Pennsylvania residents can apply for Social Security disability insurance or Supplemental Security Income , programs that provide a monthly cash benefit. While these are federal programs , a Pennsylvania state agency makes the initial disability determination, based on the SSA’s definition of disabled. Also, Pennsylvania pays an extra supplement to some recipients of SSI. The State of Pennsylvania does not provide short-term disability benefits.
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License Plates For Military And Veterans
Pennsylvania offers 48 different military-themed license plates. Some plates require documentation to qualify for them. There are two options for disabled veteran plates:
- Disabled Veteran Registration Plate
- Severely Disabled Veteran Plate
Both license plates require certification from the VA of a service-connected disability rating, but the Severely Disabled Veteran Plate requires a 100 percent disability rating. This plate grants an additional 60 minutes past the legal parking period permitted by local authorities to the veteran.;
;Complete Form MV-145A to request a disabled veteran plate at your local DMV.;
Who Can Apply For Pennsylvania Disability Under The Ssdi Program
Heres how to tell whether youre eligible to apply for Pennsylvania disability benefits under this federal program:
Answering yes to every question above makes you more likely to qualify for the SSDI programs Pennsylvania disability benefits. If you said no to anything, skip directly to the Supplemental Security Income section now.
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Get Your Physician/practitioner To Complete Part B: Medical Certification
You must get a physician/practitioner certification for your disability. Once you have filled out Part A of the DE 2501 form, contact your physician/practitioner about completing, signing, and submitting your medical certification .
Talk to your physician/practitioner about their process for submitting a DI claim . Your physician/practitioner must submit the certification no later than 49 days after your disability begins or you may lose benefits.
- If your physician/practitioner wants to submit the medical certification using SDI Online, allow 14 calendar days for us to receive and process your claim.
- After your claim has been received, your physician/practitioner can find your claim in SDI Online.
There are two parts to completing this form. For your claim to be considered complete, both parts of the DE 2501 form need to be submitted:
- Part A – Claimants Statement
- Part B – Physician/Practitioners Medical Certificate
Your claim will not be processed until we receive both parts. You must submit your completed DE 2501 form 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.
Use the pre-addressed envelope to mail to:
State of California
Interesting Things To Do In Chester County Pennsylvania
In the unfortunate case of a disability, you will need to enter your social security disability claim. For you to qualify for a disability claim, you need proof to show that your impairment will last for at least a year, or result in death. In some cases, your ailment may not be on the list of approved impairments and disabilities. If this is the case, then you will need to provide medical evidence. The justification should show that the illness or injury is severe and debilitating.
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Why Was My Ssd Claim Denied
One of the top reasons why appeals are denied is because many applicants fail to return their appeals form on time or fail to include helpful information that could help them win their case.
Here are some common reasons the Social Security Administration gives for denying disability claims:
- There is not enough medical evidence to prove that you are unable to work
- The applicant is still capable of working a different job
- The applicant failed to follow prescribed treatment
- The applicant failed to provide necessary documentation
- The applicant has had previous denials
Learn More About Disability Payments In Pennsylvania
If you still have questions and want guidance through theSSDI or SSI application process, Handler, Henning & Rosenberg LLC is here to help.Our lawyers have decades of legal experience and the resources to take on the toughest disability claims for people suffering from all types ofneurological,mental,immune,respiratory, and other disorders that prevent them from working.
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Pennsylvania National Guard Tuition Assistance
Educational Assistance Program for National Guard Members
If youre a National Guard member with a six-year service commitment, you may be eligible for 100 percent tuition assistance for college in Pennsylvania! Undergraduate students can choose between full-time or part-time at a state school. Graduate students are only eligible for part-time tuition. This program is not limited to public colleges and universities.;
The takeaway here is that if you decide to go to an institution that charges more than a state-owned university, youll only receive the cost of in-state tuition at a Pennsylvania public university.;
Military Family Education Program for National Guard Family Members
Not only are National Guard members eligible for tuition assistance, family members are as well! If members reenlist for an additional six-year service commitment after the original six , spouses and children are eligible for similar education benefits:
- 100 percent tuition paid for full or part-time attendance at a state-owned university;
- Choice of undergraduate or graduate studies
The benefit can be split between family members.
Spouses can use these Pennsylvania veteran benefits up to six years after the members separation from the PA Guard, while children have until age 26 to use their MFEP benefit.;
The same rule applies to the amount of tuition awarded: if dependents choose a private university which costs more than a public university, theyll be responsible for covering the cost differential.;
Who Can Receive A Lifetime Monthly Disability Pension
Only SSS members who are totally and permanently disabled are entitled to a monthly disability pension for life. However, SSS stops paying the pension in the following cases:
- Recovery from total permanent disability
- Resumption of employment
- Failure to report for the annual physical examination when notified by the SSS
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Pennsylvania Social Security Disability Lawyers Help Clients With Ssd Applications In Erie County And Crawford County Pa
About two-thirds of initial Social Security Disability applications in Pennsylvania are denied. Fortunately, the SSD process includes a variety of ways to appeal a negative first decision. Although filing an appeal lengthens the application process considerably, appealing a decision increases the chances of approval. Having an attorney who understands the application and appeals process improves approval chances even more and may prevent the need to file an appeal in the first place.
At the Western Pennsylvania law firm of Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C., our attorneys handle applications and appeals for Social Security Disability in PA. We understand the process thoroughly, allowing us to anticipate issues that could affect the outcome of an application or appeal. Our attorneys advise clients about their chances of success at each stage of the process. Contact us now to discuss your options.
Who Is Eligible For The Dtc
You are eligible for the DTC only if we approve Form T2201, Disability Tax Credit Certificate. A medical practitioner has to;fill out;and certify that you have a severe and prolonged impairment and must describe its effects. Answer;a;few questions;to find out if the person with the disability;may be eligible.
If we have already told you that you are eligible, do not send another form unless the previous period of approval has ended or if we tell you that we need one. You should tell us if your medical condition improves and you no longer meet the criteria for the DTC.
See Eligibility criteria for the disability tax credit to know more;about the requirements to be eligible for the DTC.
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Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Statistics 2015
The annual workers compensation report from the Bureau;of Labor Statistics includes program statistics for most states. This yearly report shows total workers compensation claims, those who changed jobs or missed work, and claims by employment sector. See where Pennsylvania workers compensation claims fell from 2015 to 2019 in our interactive chart below:
During this time period, the biggest data point of note is that service-industry workers file nearly 7 in 10 claims per year . Total claims fell 13% from 2015-2017, while service-industry claims fell 7% during that same timeframe. In most years, just over half of all injured workers qualify for lost-wage benefits . If your injurys not bad enough to need time off to recover, then workers comp only covers your medical bills.
Pittsburgh Social Security Disability Resources
To be found eligible to receive Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income in Pittsburgh, PA, youll need to show youve been disabled for a period of one year or longer and unable to hold a job due to either a long-term or permanent health condition. The Social Security Administrations guidelines measure the degree of disability in order to determine if youre eligible to receive Pittsburgh disability benefits.
Applying for Pittsburgh disability benefits is a complicated application process and it can take several months to get through all of the steps. Initially, only about 37% of applicants are approved for SSD. If youre one of those denied benefits, youll need to request a second review. If denied again, you will need to file an appeal, and your case will be scheduled for a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge.
To apply for Pittsburgh disability benefits, you should call the SSAs main phone line at 772-1213, contact your local Pennsylvania Social Security office, or can utilize the forms available on the SSAs website. For help finding your local SSA office, call the number listed above, or visit the SSAs Office Locator webpage.
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How To Apply For Disability In Emmaus Pa
In Pennsylvania you may apply for social security disability insurance by calling your social office toll-free number and following the voice instructions. It is also possible to use a web form available on the administrations website. The last option would be to go to the offices for social security in Emmaus and make a physical application.
As you prepare to file your application, make sure you already have your social security number handy, and identification in the form of passport or drivers license that will help as proof of age. You will need names and addresses of any professionals such as doctors, caseworkers and nurses who have previously treated or taken care of you. Make sure you have the details of all your previous encounters with the health practitioners, especially the dates of visit. Get your medical records; these will include the following.
- Test results from laboratories
- Reports from clinics, therapists, hospitals or caseworkers
Be ready to provide your employment and career records as captured in the following details.
- What you presently do
- Previous occupation
- A recent W-2 form/federal tax return copy
In addition you will also need social security numbers for any family member and proof of the same. Married people also need proof of marriage but this only applies to a spouse that applies for the benefits.
How To Apply For Sss Disability Benefit
Posted By: sssinquiries_administrat0rApril 9, 2020
The SSS Disability Benefit is given to eligible SSS members who were reduced with their ability to;perform an activity or his work in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being as a result of either an illness or an accident.
The SSS Disability Benefit is a cash benefit to members with a total or partial permanent disability. The benefit is paid either as a monthly disability pension or a one-time lump sum benefit, depending on a members number of monthly SSS contribution payments.
You may read about the SSS Disability Benefit in Tagalog Brochure HERE
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Information You Need To Apply
Before applying, be ready to provide information about yourself, your medical condition, and your work. We recommend you print and review the . It will help you gather the information you need to complete the application.
Information About You
- Your date and place of birth and Social Security number.
- The name, Social Security number, and date of birth or age of your current spouse and any former spouse. You should also know the dates and places of marriage and dates of divorce or death .
- Names and dates of birth of children not yet 18 years of age.
- Your bank or other and the account number.
Information About Your Medical Condition
- Name, address, and phone number of someone we can contact who knows about your medical conditions and can help with your application.
- Detailed information about your medical illnesses, injuries, or conditions:
- Names, addresses, phone numbers, patient ID numbers, and dates of treatment for all doctors, hospitals, and clinics.
- Names of medicines you are taking and who prescribed them.
- Names and dates of medical tests you have had and who ordered them.
Information About Your Work:
- Award letters, pay stubs, settlement agreements, or other .
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.
Do not delay applying for benefits because you do not have all the documents. We will help you get them.
Enhance Your Credibility With The Ssa
A significant portion of chronic pain is unverifiable through traditional medical examinations, meaning that the only way SSA can determine how extreme, or debilitating, your chronic pain may actually be will depend on your ability to come across as believable to examiners and administrative judges.
To increase odds of approval, make sure to:
- Let SSA examiners, attorney, and judge know about your strong work ethic and history;
- Ask your doctor to document your exertional and non-exertional limitations, especially if dealing with inflammatory arthritis;
- Give an honest account of how your pain comes and goes; if you can go shopping one day, SSA assumes you can shop every day.
- Be honest when asked to rate pain level. You may be inclined to say 10, but that would likely mean you are unable to move.
- Do not skimp on medical treatment. Get the best care possible as often as possible to prove you are proactive and committed to controlling chronic pain.
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