Ideally You Should Have Already Been Out Of Work For Five Months Or More When You Apply For Ssdi
If you work up until the day you submit your disability benefits application, the SSA will almost certainly reject it. Thats because you must prove that you cannot work directly as a result of your disability to qualify for benefits. In some cases, you can show that it was difficult to work full-time because of your disability. But for the most part, spending the last five months unemployed because youre disabled seems to be the sweet spot. The SSA will also ask you:
- Whether your medical condition caused you to cease working at your previous job
- If you had to reduce hours before leaving work altogether
- Whether your employer had to provide special help in order for you to complete your routine job tasks
If you have an especially complicated claim, ask a Social Security attorney to review your application before submitting it. Lawyers often know disability secrets that apply to someone in your specific situation that you wouldnt find anywhere online.
IMPORTANT: Did you have an unexpected/abrupt accident or illness? If a sudden disability makes working obviously impossible on a short-term basis, you may be exempted from the five-month rule. The SSA will estimate how long your inability to work should last based on your medical diagnosis. If its one year or longer, you may still qualify for disability benefits.
Signs That You Will Be Approved For Disability Benefits
Waiting to hear back about whether or not you were approved for disability benefits can be daunting. According to the Social Security Administration , only about 36% of claims are approved during the initial application period this means more than half of applications will be denied the first time around.
Its best not to get too discouraged, though! The further you proceed with your appeals process, the more likely you are to be approved for benefits. There are a lot of factors at play in the decision-making, so youll want to be sure youre as prepared as possible with well-organized evidence and information to back up your case.
While its never a guarantee, below are 4 likely signs that you will be approved for disability benefits:
What Is The Disability Tax Credit
The disability tax credit is a non-refundable tax credit that helps persons with disabilities or their supporting persons reduce the amount of income tax they may have to pay. An individual may claim the disability amount once they are eligible for the DTC. This amount includes a supplement for persons under 18 years of age at the end of the year.
The purpose of the DTC is to provide for greater tax equity by allowing some relief for disability costs, since these are unavoidable additional expenses that other taxpayers dont have to face.
Being eligible for the DTC can open the door to other federal, provincial, or territorial programs such as the registered disability savings plan, the Canada workers benefit, and the child disability benefit.
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Benefits For Disabled Widows Or Widowers
If something happens to a worker, benefits may be payable to their widow, widower, or surviving divorced spouse with a disability if the following conditions are met:
- The widow, widower, or surviving divorced spouse is between ages 50 and 60.
- The widow, widower, or surviving divorced spouse has a medical condition that meets the definition of disability for adults and the disability started before or within seven years of the worker’s death.
Widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses cannot apply online for survivors benefits. However, if they want to apply for these benefits, they should contact Social Security immediately at 1-800-772-1213 to request an appointment
To speed up the application process, complete an Adult Disability Report and have it available at the time of your appointment.
We use the same definition of disability for widows and widowers as we do for workers.
Does Social Security Disability Deny Everyone The First Time They Apply
Home » Frequently Asked Questions » Does Social Security Disability Deny Everyone The First Time They Apply?
No, the Social Security Administration does not deny everyone the first time they apply. However, it does initially deny about nearly two-thirds of all Social Security disability applications. While this rate seems high, it means the SSA approves approximately one-third of all applications without requiring claimants put in additional work. There are several reasons the SSA denies applications, many of which are avoidable.
Working with a Social Security disability law firm like Berger and Green reduces the risk of some types of denials and gives you peace of mind that you have a knowledgeable team fighting for your benefits. Call 412-661-1400 to request a free consultation with our disability lawyers.
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How Much You Will Receive
The amount of your monthly SSDI benefit is based on your lifetime average earnings covered by Social Security.
If you don’t already have an estimate, you can get your Social Security Statement online with your personal mySocial Security account or use our Benefit Calculators to determine how much you could get if you became disabled right now.
You Must Receive Routine Doctor
One way the SSA determines your eligibility for monthly disability benefits hinges on your credibility as an applicant. If you havent sought treatment for your condition or discussed symptoms with your doctor, it looks bad to the SSA. If you arent treated, the SSA automatically assumes your condition isnt limiting you as much as you say it is. The more documented evidence from your doctor showing regular treatment appointments and progress notes, the higher your chances for approval. Among all disability secrets, this ones likely to result in your technical denial if you cant or wont follow through. In other words, no physician actively treating your disability = no claim approval for benefits. If you cannot afford to see a doctor, make an in-person appointment at the SSA office for a referral.
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You Have A Right To Appeal The Ssas Decision
Its not unusual at all for a Social Security disability claim to be rejected during the initial application stage. In many instances, the denial doesnt have anything to do with the validity of a claim, but the fact that the applicant simply didnt supply the SSA with the information they needed to make a favorable decision. Incomplete or incorrectly filled-out forms, or a lack of the necessary medical evidence to support a claim, are just a few of the errors that can get a claim for Social Security disability denied the first time around.
Fortunately, the law gives you the right to appeal when your claim for Social Security disability is denied the first time around. The SSA refers to this appeal as a reconsideration. A reconsideration is a complete review of your claim by an SSA administrator who had no part in the original decision. They will look at all the evidence used to make the original decision, as well as any new evidence submitted. After reviewing the evidence carefully, the SSA will either approve your claim or let the earlier decision stand.
More Information On How To Request A Review Of The Decision
There are 3 ways you can make your request for reconsideration:
- your name
- your Social Insurance Number or Client Identification Number
- a detailed explanation of why you do not agree with the decision
- any new information that could affect the decision
- your signature and the date
If you complete your request on paper
Sign and date your written request and submit it:
Reconsiderations can take several months to complete, depending on the case. Service Canada will review your application and any new information you submit in support of your request and send you a decision by mail.
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Let’s Get Your Application For Metlife Disability Benefit Approved The First Time
Getting approved for a Metlife disability insurance claim can be difficult if you dont submit a strong application. In our video above we discuss tips on how to get Metlife disability benefits approved. Metlife sells both group / employer provided and individual disability policies. The steps that must be taken to get approved for both types of policies are the same. Whenever we assist clients with applying for benefits we start by establishing the clients goals of how long the client wants to get paid and maximizing all available benefits under the policy. Some policies allow a claimant to continue working part time and still collect full disability. Other policies allow a claimant to change occupations and still collect 100% disability. The first thing our disability attorneys do in every claim we handle is to provide a free disability policy review and discuss if your situation will allow you to get every benefit from your disability policy.
Getting Approved For Disability Benefits On The First Try
Im not sure what you know about getting approved for disability benefits, so Im going to explain things as if this is the first time you are seeing this information.
The first thing you have to keep in mind is that it isnt, impossible but it does require time and patience. Right now, over 77% of people who apply for disability benefits get denied on the first try. This means less than 1 in 4 applicants are getting approved for disability benefits the first time they apply. However, Im going to do what I can to get you into that 23% group. Is this possible? Yes, it is!!! Is it guaranteed? No.
There are many different variables that can turn a case one way or the other. That is why you need to take things slowly and fill out your application forms very carefully. Thats the first step toward getting approved for disability benefits. Below, Ill explain two ways you can apply for SSD benefits. Then, youll learn how to boost your odds of getting approved for disability benefits the first time you apply.
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How Can I Avoid My Ssdi Claim Being Denied
As mentioned above, having an attorney help with preparing your claim is the best way to get a social security disability claim approved the first time or getting an appeal approved. A lawyer can look at things like your work credits, the evidence you are presenting, additional medical records, and all application dates among many other items.
Having proper representation from a Milwaukee social security disability firm like Tabak Law can be key to getting the approval you desperately need. Tabak Law is based in Milwaukee, WI, but serves clients all over the nation, with a proven track record of success.
Does Anyone Get Approved For Disability The First Time
The fact is, the Social Security Administration does approve around 30% of claims the first time. This also means that around 70% of social security disability claims are denied the first time as well.
Fortunately, many of the reasons that social security disability claims are initially denied are due to correctible mistakes made in the filing process. This includes the filing itself, disability evidence that was provided, and much more. Having a social security disability attorney help out with your case actually greatly increases the chances of being approved for disability the first time.
If you already applied for and were denied disability benefits, it is not time to give up. As many as 50% of cases that are initially denied do eventually get approved. Again, having an SSDI attorney help with an appeal is crucial to ultimately get approved for disability benefits.
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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.
You May Qualify For Legal Assistance
Want to know more disability secrets that could help your case? Having a lawyer file your claim makes you 2x more likely to get benefits on your first try. We can match you with a local Social Security attorney that knows disability secrets that can help your case. For example: There may be state-run disability programs you qualify for that pay cash benefits while the SSA reviews your application. Still, talking to a lawyer is the only way to learn which disability secrets may help you win benefits.
All disability attorneys work on contingency, so youll pay pay nothing for legal advice by phone. If the SSA wont approve your claim, you owe $0 for legal assistance. And if you win, then youll only pay a small, one-time fee.
Ready to see if you may qualify? Click the button below to start your free online benefits evaluation now!
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Social Security Disability Benefits Approval The First Time
It is true that the majority of social security disability applications are denied following the initial application. Last year more than three million people applied for social security disability benefits and that number is expected to rise each year.
A social security disability claimant recently posted a helpful comment discussing his success in obtaining social security disability benefits approval following his initial application.
As disability attorneys we agree that all of the actions taken by this claimant are a good strategy.
If your social security disability claim or disability insurance claim has been denied, it is important to contact a disability attorney and discuss your rights.
Contact The Attorneys At Woodruff & Mathis
Just because there are likely signs that you will be approved for disability doesnt mean it is always a clear path to receiving benefits. Applying for Social Security disability benefits can be a long and complicated process, but an experienced disability attorney can help you through every step of the way. Contact the team at Woodruff & Mathis today to start the process!
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Medicare Coverage If You’re Disabled
We automatically enroll you in Original Medicare after you get disability benefits for two years. However, if your disability results from ALS, Medicare coverage begins sooner, generally the first month you are eligible for disability benefits.
- Medicare Part A helps pay for inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care. The taxes you paid while you were working financed this coverage. Its provided at no cost to you.
- Medicare Part B helps pay doctors’ services, outpatient care, some medical supplies, and other preventive services. You will need to pay a monthly premium for this coverage if you want it.
Most people have both parts of Medicare. If you have questions about this coverage, you can contact Medicare toll-free at 1-800-MEDICARE to speak to a Medicare Customer Service Representative. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
Dont Give Up When Social Security Disability Denied The First Time Around
A serious injury or medical condition has made it impossible for you to work and earn a living. You file a claim for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration . You await their decision. Then you get their response: theyve denied your claim.
At Marc Whitehead & Associates weve helped quite a few folks who have found themselves in this same predicament. Our advice: dont give up!
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You Did Not Provide Enough Medical Information
Applicants are often denied simply because they failed to provide the SSA with enough information to support a favorable decision. To increase your chances of an approval at the appeals level, you must make sure that the SSA has a complete medical history dating back to when you first became sick. Examples of the information you need to provide the SSA are:
- A complete list of all doctors you have seen for evaluation or treatment of your illness.
- A complete list, including dates of services and addresses, of any hospitals or clinics where you received treatment for your illness.
- A detailed listing of the symptoms you experience and how they affect your ability to work and take care of yourself.
- Reports from surgeries, blood tests, MRI’s, CT scans, x-rays, or biopsies performed in the treatment or diagnosis of your illness.
- A list of all medications including dosage, side effects, and reason for the prescription.
- Supporting statements from your treating physicians about how your illness affects your ability to work.
Request An On The Record Decision
If you are appealing a denied Disability claim and have a strong case on paper, you can request an on the record decision from the Administrative Law Judge. Basically, you are asking the judge to bypass your Disability hearing and approve your claim based on you medical records and evidence.
This is an excellent way to expedite the Disability appeal process, but it takes some work. You will need to submit a strong, persuasive brief in support of your claim and have substantial, new medical evidence to prove you are disabled.
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