Common Questions About Disability Benefits

Submitted by amm on

There is a lot you need to know before filing a claim for disability benefits and this article will cover some common questions about disability that it will be useful for you to know before being the disability claims process.

When Should I Apply?

One of the common questions about disability benefits that most applicants need to know is when to apply. The Social Security Administration (SSA) sets some strict requirements

for anyone filing a claim for disability benefits. One of these is proving you are unable to work for at least 12 months due to your disability. You will need to provide the medical evidence that supports that your medical condition is so severe that you will not be able to do any type of work for at least 12 months.

Once you have identified your medical condition in the SSA’s Blue Book you will need to study exactly what proof the SSA will require to prove that you are suffering from this medical condition. This may include the results of medical tests that prove the presence of your medical condition such as MRI, X-rays, blood tests and urine tests. When you are sure you have the right evidence ready to submit with your application then the time is right to apply for disability benefits.

How Much Money Will I Receive?

When you apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) the Social Security Administration (SSA) will establish your payments due to your prior lifetime average earnings before you apply. These earnings are from work jobs where your employer deducted money from your wages for Social Security or FICA. Your SSDI monthly benefit will be based on your average covered earnings over a period, which is called your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME). The SSA uses these amounts in a formula to determine your primary insurance amount (PIA). This is the basic amount used to calculate your benefit. The SSDI payments can range on average between $800 and $1,800 monthly. In 2020 the highest benefit you could receive was $3,011 monthly.

If you receive other government benefits, your monthly SSDI benefit may be reduced. Tan example of this could be worker’s compensation, public disability benefits, any Pension based on work not covered by Social Security, such as a government or foreign government pensions.

How Do I Apply for Disability Benefits?

There is a waiting period of 5 months before Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are begun. When you are ready with all the evidence proving you qualify for SSDI you may apply for Disability benefits online, or if you are unable to complete the application online, you can apply by calling the SSA’s toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. The Disability Starter Kit will help you to prepare for your disability interview or online application. Kits are available for all ages. The starter kit provides details about the documents you will need to include with your application. The kits also give general information about the disability programs and the SSA’s decision-making process.

Get Assistance with Your Disability Claim

It isn’t always easy to understand the process for applying for Social Security disability benefits so getting assistance from a disability lawyer may help to ensure your claim is approved.

Fill out a free case evaluation today.

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