Social Security Disability Process

Here at SocialSecurityHome.com we have compiled an extensive list of Social Security Disability topics that can help you better understand the social security disability process. Please feel free to browse our topics below and follow the links to the full articles.

Use the links below to navigate to a corresponding section.

• Part I    - Disability Resources
• Part II   - Disability Process
• Part III  - Why Should I Use a Lawyer?

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• An Overview of The Social Security Disability Claims Process

  • The Social Security Disability claims process can have many steps depending on how many times your claim is rejected and you appeal. Overall, there are five stages, each with its own format, rules, and decision makers...

  Read more about: "The Social Security Disability Claims Process"

• Having Your Claim Denied & Deciding to Appeal

  • It's always tough to be told you are not disabled when you are in pain and cannot work. The good news is you are far from being alone. At the initial stage and at reconsideration your chances of rejection are very high...

  Read more about: "Appealing a Denied Claim"

• More Information About The Hearing

  • The hearing gives you a fresh start. The hearing is your first and possibly only chance to explain to the Social Security Administration your disability and situation. You are allowed to be represented by an attorney or advocate in the proceeding. New evidence can be given.
    

• How to Apply for Social Security Benefits

  • You may apply any number of ways. You may file in person at any Social Security Office. You can file by mail or by phone, or you can allow us to help you file your claim. Regardless how you file, the sooner you file the better. Though Social Security may award retroactive benefits, retroactive benefits may only reach back to year before your claim.

• How to Speed Up Your Claim

  • Claims often spend great amounts of time in the Social Security system not because Social Security is slow, but because many claims are filed incomplete. You can shorten the amount of time your claim spends in the system by filing a complete claim...

  Read more about: "How to Speed Up Your Claim"

• More Information About the Initial Stage

  • After receiving your application, the Social Security office will review your file and first determine if you have enough work credits to qualify by checking your age and work history...

  Read more about: "How Much Will Social Security Disability Pay?"

• When Do My Benefits Begin? How far back will retroactive benefits reach?

  • For SSDI and for Disabled Widow's and Widower's Benefits, there exists a five month waiting period. The earliest benefits can begin is five months after the person became disabled...

  Read more about: "When Do My Benefits Begin?"

• Why Do Disability Benefits Have a Waiting Period?

  • As its definition suggest, Social Security disability is designed to treat long-term disabilities and not short-term disabilities. The waiting period allows Social Security to pay benefits to only those individuals Congress intended it to protect - those with long-term disabilities...

  Read more about: "Why Do Disability Benefits Have a Waiting Period?"

• Social Security Benefits & Taxes

  • Social Security benefits can be taxable depending if your income is high enough. During tax time, Social Security will send you a form listing your income and you should use this statement to complete your taxes. If necessary, you may elect to withhold federal taxes from your benefits.

• After I'm Approved, Does Social Security Review my Case?

  • Your benefits will continue as long as you are disabled. With that said, Social Security will check to see if you are still disabled. The frequency of these checks will depend on your specific condition and the possibility of recovery. Recently, however, Social Security has been increasing its reviews of existing cases. When Social Security does review a case, they find the individual is still disabled the vast majority of the time.

• When Will I Lose My Benefits?

  • Generally, there are two ways you can lose your benefits - earning too much through working, and recovering from your disability. First, your benefits will end if you earn what Social Security considers to be a substantially amount of money. Before working while receiving disability benefits you need to contact the Social Security Administration or your attorney or advocate. Second, your benefits will end if you recover and are no longer disabled. Social Security will periodically monitor your condition, and technically you are required to notify SSA if your condition improves.

• Can I Appeal If Social Security Tries to Cut Off My Disability Benefits?

  • Yes, you can appeal if Social Security tries to end your disability benefits. Remember, you have a limited time to appeal once you receive the letter cutting your benefits. If you do not appeal within 10 days, you could waive your right to appeal.

• Why Does Social Security Reject So Many Disability Claims?

  • There are a variety of reasons why Social Security rejects so many disability claims. Some rejected claimants file incomplete claims and never submit the material to make the files complete. Others lose patience with the system with its long waits, endless forms, and numerous stages, and never fully fight to have their claim approved. Many claimants have real problems proving their disability and inability to work. Proving whether someone is disabled can become a debate between expert opinions, leaving the claimant suffering in the crossfire. It can be very difficult to convey how much pain you are suffering. All of these factors cause Social Security to reject a large number of claims.

• How Long Does it Take For Social Security to Make an Initial Determination?

  • It varies, but typically Social Security takes four months to make a determination on your disability claim.

• How Long Does it Take to Make a Reconsideration Determination?

  • It fluctuates, but a reconsideration appeal will generally last four months.

• How Long Does it Take to Have a Hearing?

  • It varies from three months to a year depending on the backlog of cases in your area.

• How Long Does it Take to For Social Security to Execute an Appeals Council Request?

  • Typically it will take Social Security a year to act upon an Appeal Council request. .

• Does Social Security Disability Provide for My Healthcare?

  • Yes, Social Security provides for your healthcare indirectly by eventually qualifying you for Medicare or Medicaid coverage. If you are approved for SSDI, Disabled Widow's or Widower's Benefits, or Disabled Adult Child Benefits you will receive automatic Medicare coverage after you have been entitled to Social Security disability benefits for two years...

  Read more about: "Does Social Security Disability Provide for My Healthcare?"

• How Long Does it Take to Make a Reconsideration Determination?

  • It varies from three months to a year depending on the backlog of cases in your area.

• The Difference Between Medicare and Medicaid

  • The chief difference between Medicare and Medicaid is that Medicaid is designed at aid those living in poverty, and Medicare does not take into account your wealth or poverty. Since Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is also a program designed to aid persons who are living in poverty, persons collecting SSI are automatically eligible for Medicaid...

  Read more about: "Difference Between Medicare and Medicaid"