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If you are unable to work due to illness or injury for a year or more, you may consider applying for Social Security Disability benefits. The unfortunate reality is that the large majority (over 70%) of those who apply for these benefits have their claims denied, even after paying into the Social Security system for many years.

Although some of these disabled workers may be approved for benefits at a later stage in the appeals process, this can involve a long, stressful wait.

More often than not you will be told it can take a year or more for disability benefits to be awarded. Why does it take so long for the Social Security Administration to approve most of the disability claims it receives, and why are some people approved for benefits more quickly than others?

Many disability applicants send their applications to the Social Security Administration expecting the process to be short and to be approved in just three to four months. Sometimes that happens. Most frequently, however, it does not.

Some people wait more than a year to receive their day in court and to be scheduled for a Social Security Disability hearing. While two-thirds of appeals are won at the hearing stage of the disability claim process, you need to make sure you do everything you can to help turn the tables in your favor.

If you are going through the disability appeals process and want to ensure the best chances of winning your appeal, make sure that you take the following advice into consideration when you arrive at the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review.

If you are disabled and unable to work, you may be eligible to receive disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA).

These benefits can be used to help cover the costs of medical bills and your everyday living expenses.

Most people understand that medical records play an important role in someone's ability to obtain Social Security Disability benefits. However, the role a doctor plays in a patient's ability to obtain disability benefits from the Social Security Administration is often overlooked.

Exactly what role does your doctor play in your ability to receive disability benefits and how can you ensure that your treating physicians provide the Social Security Administration with the documentation and statements needed to support your disability claim?

A medical report is a comprehensive report that covers a person’s clinical history. A medical report is a vital piece of evidence that can validate and support your claim for Social Security Disability benefits.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a progressive eye disease that results in damage to the optic nerve, and eventually causes permanent blindness. An estimated 3 million Americans currently have glaucoma, and around half of them aren’t aware of it - as up to 40% of vision can be lost before symptoms are present.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness in the U.S., and the overall leading cause worldwide. African Americans, Latinos, diabetics, and those who are middle-aged or elderly have a greater chance of experiencing glaucoma.

An important aspect of applying for disability benefits is collecting and submitting medical documentation to support your claim. This medical documentation validates your application and proves to the Social Security Administration that you are, in fact, disabled.

When disability affects any member of a family, the financial impact can be great. Social Security disability programs can provide monthly support, ensuring the entire family has what it needs to get by.

The documentation you need when applying for benefits depends on your personal situation and your family dynamic. Here are just a few examples of the kinds of documents and information you’ll want to pull together before starting your disability application:

Medical Records and Doctors’ Statements

There is some confusion about the similarities and differences between a Social Security Disability claim and the VA Disability program, which is designed to assist veterans injured on duty.

Those who lack sufficient information often assume that these programs are similar because an individual eligible for assistance under the VA Disability program may also be able to get disability. Read on to discover the myriad of differences between the two programs.