It is a well-known fact that it is difficult to receive a favorable determination when you apply for Social Security Disability benefits. The guidelines for each condition that makes a person eligible for benefits are very specific, and the SSA requires thorough medical documentation to verify the existence of the condition, as well as proof that the condition affects the person’s ability to keep working or change careers.
Seven years ago, a Toyota worker from Southern California found out that the sudden onset of a strange, scarcely-documented disease was not the only battle he had to fight. Salomaa, a 47-year-old sufferer of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, went to his doctor in 2003 after he noticed unusual fatigue symptoms and diminishing mental function when he returned to his normal job after a bout of the flu. After a long series of doctors and appointments, Salomaa was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome. There are no official tests that conclusively identify this syndrome.
In the wake of a highly publicized article from last week’s Wall Street Journal that declared government auditors have found that Social Security Disability will be completely out of money within the next four to seven years, there has been much debate this week about “entitlement reform” and congressional cuts to national benefits programs like SSDI and SSI as a means of helping to fix the government’s enormous budget deficit.
Social Security Disability is available to those that qualify for disability benefits. When you apply for these disability benefits, you must work through the system’s qualification process. You must show you are disabled under the guidelines set forth by the Social Security Administration. Further, you must show that your income remains under the limit. When your situations change, it may also become necessary to change your status of receiving disability.
If you are appealing a denied Social Security Disability claim, the wait time for an appearance at a hearing can vary greatly from only a few months to more than two years. Since there is a good chance that your claim will end up at this stage, it is important to be fully prepared for the hearing by understanding some of the expectations, procedures, and best practices for appearing before the Administrative Law Judge.
Each and every year millions of individuals apply for Social Security Disability benefits. Many of these people quickly become frustrated as they realize how lengthy and complicated the application process can be. Some applicants may expect a decision regarding their application in a few short weeks. The fact of the matter is that very few disability applications are approved in fewer than three to four months, and most take even longer.
When a person lives with chronic and severe pain, the burden can be overwhelming. Pain can prevent you from doing even the simplest of tasks, let alone maintaining the responsibilities of full-time employment. To make matters worse, chronic pain can lead to other issues, such as anxiety and depression.
Many individuals have plenty of questions when going through the Social Security Disability application process. They often assume that the questions will be over when their application for disability benefits has been approved. The fact of the matter is that more questions usually present themselves once the application has been processed and the approval letter is in hand, most commonly in regards to Social Security Disability payments. When will disability payments begin? How will Social Security Disability benefits be paid? How much will the payments be?
Individuals who suffer from severe disabilities often face serious financial hardship. While going through the Social Security Disability application process, the bills can begin to pile up, and once the approval of benefits is in hand, these individuals finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. At that point, the question that most Social Security Disability beneficiaries find themselves asking is exactly what bills they can pay with their benefits and how they are allowed to spend their money.
Navigating the complex intricacies of the Social Security Disability application process can be overwhelming. This is especially true when trying to determine how Medicare or Medicaid will help you along the way. Though they are similar in nature, both insurance plans are very different, and understanding the difference is key to determining the benefits you will receive. This article will help you have a better understanding of the main differences within the Medicare/Medicaid services.
