How Many Hours Can You Work On Disability In Tennessee
Social Security typically allows up to 45 hours of work per month if youre self-employed and on SSDI. That comes out to around 10 hours per week. The SSA will also see whether or not youre the only person working for your business. You must not be earning SGA, along with not working too many hours.
How Much Could Social Security Disability Pay
SHORT ANSWER:It depends on how many work credits youve earned.
What are Work Credits? In 2019, the Social Security Administration will award 1 work credit for every $1360 in wages you bring home. The number of work credits vary dependent upon your age, and when you become disabled.
The average benefit is $1,234 a month but that amount is not guaranteed, and can be less or up to $2,861
Lets Break Down The Ssdi Application Process
Before you begin: You might want to make sure you qualify for benefits. To qualify, you must have worked long enough and recently enough in jobs under Social Security, and you must have a disability that meets Social Security disability criteria. You can find out the specifications by visiting SSAs page on these qualifications.
There are also exceptions to these two criteria. For example, a person might qualify if they
- Are blind or have low vision.
- Are the spouse of deceased worker.
- Are a disabled child.
- Qualify for the Wounded Warrior & Veterans programs.
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Refiling After A Denial
If you run out of time to appeal, you may refile. Be aware, though, that many applicants who refile after being denied may be denied again. The person at the Social Security Administration office who reviews your application is going to see you have already applied and likely deny you for the same reason as before.
Instead of reapplying, you need to take the steps to appeal the denial. However, there is a tremendous amount of paperwork involved and it can be a long and complicated process. If something is filed incorrectly or late, your claim could be denied once more. Its therefore highly recommended to hire a knowledgeable Nashville Social Security Disability attorney who can guide you through the steps of the appeal process.
Ssi Payments Are No More Than $841/person Or $1261/couple For 2021
That sounds like very little money, but if youre struggling to make ends meet then every penny counts. Luckily, the SSI program does adjust monthly payments in years that get a Cost-of-Living-Adjustment increase. For example, monthly Tennessee disability payments for approved SSI claims rose 5.9% in January 2022.
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How Can I Get My Medical Condition To Qualify
If you’ve been seeing a doctor regularly, have a conversation with your doctor about your limitations. For instance, you might tell your doctor that you have lumbar pain when standing for long periods of time, or your back hurts after carrying items. Make sure your doctor includes these issues in your medical records your doctor might record the limitations as “not able to lift 30 pounds” or “can stand no longer than two hours”. Ask whether your doctor thinks your limitations rule out full-time work for you. If your doctor agrees, it’s time to apply for disability benefits.
If you haven’t been seeing a doctor, now is the time to start. You need to have a lengthy medical record that supports your claim, including your diagnoses, your limitations, your test results, and your treatment plans. Once you’ve had several doctors’ appointments, ask if your doctor thinks your limitations are disabling and about your long-term prospects for work. Only then should you apply for disability.
Before you apply for benefits, make sure you have the names and addresses of all doctors and clinics you’ve visited over the last five years, and the names and addresses of your employers from the last 15 years. But applying for benefits involves more than putting contact information in the disability application. The most important step you can take is to make sure that you have enough medical records for Social Security to make a decision on your claim.
How Do You Get Disability For Listed Medical Conditions
If your disability is listed in Social Security’s Listing of Impairments, the first step is to get a diagnosis of the condition from your doctor. But a mere diagnosis will get you an automatic disability approval for only a few conditions, like the following:
- ALS
- organ transplants, such as a liver or kidney transplant
- certain serious cancers, such as esophageal cancer, mucosal melanoma, anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid gland, or small-cell carcinoma .
For all other conditions, Social Security will look past your diagnosis to determine if your medical condition meets the specific criteria, such as having certain x-ray or test results, for that impairment. The criteria often include physical limitations and cognitive limitations.
If you haven’t had the clinical or laboratory tests required in a listing, you can ask your doctor to perform them. Or you can wait for the SSA to pay for a consultative exam, but this makes your claim take longer. It’s generally better if the key test results are already in your medical record before you apply. That way you can check to see if your test results meet the requirements of the listing, and if they match the criteria or are close, you can apply for disability.
The listing requirements are often quite complex our illness-specific articles simplify the medical criteria laid out in the listings so that you can understand whether your condition will qualify for disability.
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Somatic Symptom And Related Disorders
Section 12.07s disorders include hypochondria and other psychosomatic disorders where your brain interprets physical sensations as illness, and can actually make your body sick. Proving these disorders is difficult, as many of the sensations the patient experiences are not medically provable and may seem fake. However, the SSA does recognize the disorder and must pay Social Security to patients with real cases of these disorders.
Symptoms include preoccupation with having a physical illness, discomfort, fatigue, and anxiety about your health, as well as physical symptoms that are not faked but have no medical explanation.
Medicare Advantage Hmo Vs Medicare Advantage Ppo
There are a few different types of Medicare Advantage plans, but the ones we tend to see a lot of and the two that people get most confused are HMOs and PPOs.
HMO plans, or Health Maintence Organization plans, have very strict networks. Youll have to select one primary physician who you will turn to for all your healthcare needs. If you need to see a sepcialist, like a cardiologist, your primary physician will need to give you a referral.
PPO plans, or Preferred Provider Organization plans, have much more flexible networks. Youll still be able to select one primary physician for most of your healthcare needs, but you will likely have the freedom to get second opinions from other doctors or go to specialists even without a referral. The downside to a PPO option is that they can be more expensive than HMOs.
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Receiving The Help You Need If You Are Unable To Work
Much like physical injuries and disabilities, the Social Security Administration recognizes a number of mental disorders as conditions that would qualify for receiving benefits. However, the SSA has strict guidelines for applicants who wish to receive support for a mental disorder.
Additionally, the SSA considers whether these limitations have lasted or are expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months.
Recognized mental disorders that could make an individual eligible for benefits include:
How Our East Tennessee Ssd Lawyers Can Help You
The experienced SSD attorneys at The Terry Law Firm handle all legal matters related to Social Security Disability, from the initial application stage through administrative hearings and federal court. We understand how important SSD benefits can be to you and your family. That is why we are committed to fighting every step of the way for the full benefits you need.
Since 1960, clients have chosen The Terry Law Firm for our award-winning lawyers, proven track record of success, and compassionate customer service. During a free initial case review, our legal team will take the time to discuss your concerns, answer your questions, and outline all of your options for moving forward.
For help with your Social Security Disability claim, please call us at 586-5800 or send us a message online.
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How To Appeal A Denial In Tennessee
Its not uncommon for your first application to be denied for SSDI benefits, but you shouldnt take no for a first answer. In Tennessee, there are four levels of the appeals process for filing a claim: reconsideration, hearing, Appeals Council, and federal court. This process is the same for a physical or intellectual disability claim.
Step 1: Reconsideration – Within 60 days of your initial denial, you can request a new SSA representative from the DDS to review the details of your initial claim to make a new determination.
Step 2: Disability Hearing – If your reconsideration was denied, you can request a hearing with an administrative law judge within 60 days. This disability adjudication takes place in person at the closest hearing office available. Many claimants choose to or are asked to bring additional documentation about their disability, as well as providing witnesses who can attest to the disability. You may want to consult an attorney familiar with disability law for this step, but it is not required.
Step 3: Appeals Council – If your second appeal with the administrative law judge was denied, you have 60 days to request the Social Security Appeals Council review your case. This council will look at all preliminary decisions and decide if theyll hear your case or if the previous decisions should be upheld.
Trauma And Stress Disorders
These disorders may have similar results to obsessive-compulsive disorders and neurological disorders, but they are often caused by some significantly traumatic event or because of extreme stress. Post-traumatic stress disorder is the most common of these disorders. Often, after witnessing or being involved in a very traumatic event, people suffering from these disorders find themselves facing symptoms that include depression, flashbacks, lack of interest or enjoyment, constant distress, aggression, overreactions, fear, anger, and trouble sleeping.
These disorders can often place a huge toll on a persons day-to-day life, and may make daily tasks and work tasks nearly impossible. Often, people with a history of military service or victims of traumatic accidents or crime face these kinds of disorders. If their case is severe enough, qualifying for SSD may help support them.
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Who Makes The Initial Disability Decision In Tennessee
A claims examiner at Disability Determination Services approves or denies initial applications for SSD or SSI, in consultation with a doctor. The Tennessee Department of Human Services administers the Disability Determination Services program. Here is the contact information for Tennessee’s DDS:
400 Deaderick StreetPhone: 615-743-7300 or 800-342-1117Fax: 615-253-2727
After you submit your disability application, contact the DDS for status updates. For more information, visit the Department of Human Service’s website.
How Long Will The Process Take
SHORT ANSWER: It can take between 90 and 120 days to find out if your application for Social Security Disability has been approved or denied.
Step 1: A claims examiner at Tennessees Disability Determination Services Office checks your records to verify that you meet the non-medical eligibility requirements including age, employment, marital status, Social Security coverage information, and other factors.
Step 2: A doctor reviews your application in regard to the medical evidence and evaluates whether your disability meets certain criteria.
Step 3: Some applicants are referred to physicians for in-person examinations.
Step 4: Youre notified whether your application has been approved or denied.
Please see the infographic “5 Ways to Increase Your Chances for Social Security Disability” to see how you can avoid delays in the filing process. If you have questions, give us a call at .
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What If I Can’t Afford A Social Security Disability Attorney
SHORT ANSWER: You can. Under federal law, Disability attorneys must take all cases on contingency. That means you dont have to pay for anything up-front.
What will I pay at the end? Your lawyer can only charge up to 25% of your backpay OR $6,000 in total whichever amount is less.
The SSA will typically withhold the amount of money from the check it issues for that backpay, so you never have to pay any costs or fees from your own pocket.
EXAMPLE: You hire a Tennessee Social Security Disability lawyer, who helps you file for benefits. It takes 90 days to get those benefits, and you are awarded $20,000 in backpay. Therefore, the SSA withholds $5000 in attorney fees, resulting in a total backpay amount issued to you for $15,000.
There may be exceptions to this rule if you end up pursuing benefits all the way to the Appeals Court level, however. Thats just another reason why its better to work with a Nashville Social Security Disability attorney from the start.
“When you’re faced with an unfamiliar battle, one with bad odds and high stakes, you don’t try to face it alone.
You hire someone with experience someone who’ll fight for you.”
– Rocky McElhaney
Qualifying For Ssd With A Mental Disorder
Often, demonstrating your disorder and its severity are the hardest steps toward qualifying for Social Security Disability. If you face a listed disability, you do not automatically qualify for disability benefits. You must first have your doctor or psychiatrist file paperwork that demonstrates how severe your condition is.
The SSA considers a disorder severe enough to qualify for disability if it affects your daily life so much that you cannot perform work activities. This does not require that your disorder should require institutionalization or round-the-clock care. Instead, like physical disabilities, mental disabilities can be severe enough to prevent you from working without requiring constant hospitalization or supervision.
If you are able to work to some degree, your SSD payments may be reduced or denied. If you are denied SSD, it is vital to talk to an attorney about your denial. Having an attorney help with your filing from the beginning can help ensure that you use the proper language to demonstrate your disorder to the Social Security Administration. If you are denied, our attorneys may be able to fight your denial and help you through the process of receiving disability benefits.
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What Is Medicare In Tennessee
Medicare is a federally funded healthcare program for seniors, medicare eligibles and some disabled Americans that is available in all 50 states. The program is administered by CMS, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services. Medicare Plan Finder provides Medicare help in Tennessee and 37 other states.
Failure To Follow Doctors Treatment
You will most likely be denied Social Security benefits if you fail to follow the treatment prescribed by your physician. Why? The SSA examiner cannot accurately tell if your condition prevents you from working if you fail to comply with the treatment that is intended to help you improve. This may include taking prescribed medications, going to physical therapy, or speaking regularly to a mental health professional.
There are exceptions granted to following prescribed medical treatment, such as:
- Your religious beliefs go against the prescribed treatment
- You are financially unable to pay for prescribed treatment or medication
- You receive differing opinions from various doctors regarding treatment
- You suffer from a serious mental health condition
If you have a valid reason for denying treatment that could enable you to return to work, you can state this during your appeal. Nevertheless, you will want to have an experienced Social Security Disability on your side presenting evidence and representing you. This will greatly improve your chances of success.
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What Medical Conditions Qualify For Disability Benefits
Any medical condition can qualify for disability benefits. Generally speaking, most disability benefits programs in Canada do not give benefits based on a medical diagnosis. Rather, they provide benefits based on the level of disability caused by the medical condition. So the focus will always be on the level of disability caused by your medical condition, rather than only the name of your medical condition or diagnosis. To qualify for benefits, you must show that the level of disability from your medical condition meets the eligibility criteria of the disability benefits plan in question.
Following is a list of common medical conditions that qualify for disability benefits. For each of these conditions we discuss the unique challenges you will face.
You Must Meet All State Requirements For Ssd Or Ssdi To Obtain Benefits
The Social Security Administration offers insurance programs that provide benefits to individuals who are too disabled to work Social Security Disability and Social Security Disability Insurance . However, in order to receive benefits under these programs, you must demonstrably prove to the SSA that you are, in fact, disabled and that you need such benefits. With almost 3,000,000 received SSD and SSDI applications to wade through annually, you can trust the SSA will stringently review your application.
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What Disabilities Are More Likely To Qualify For Disability Benefits
Some disabilities are more likely to qualify for disability than others, conditions like cancer, COPD and arthritis in the spine are conditions that get are more likely to qualify for disability.
That is because of the severity of those conditions, as well as the medical documents and evidence you need to back up your claim that your disability is severe enough that you can no longer work full time.
Physical disabilities are much more likely to qualify for disability benefits compared to mental disabilities, because physical disabilities are much more easier to prove and backup through medical evidence. With that being said, any condition that is on the list of qualifying conditions for Social Security disability benefits can qualify for disability.