FAQ

The Disability Application Process - The Five Stages

• When Should I Apply For Disability Benefits?
• What happens at a disability hearing?
• What is the earliest age at which I can collect Social Security Disability Insurance?
• Can I Apply For Social Security Disability Benefits Online?
• What Are the Application Stages for Disability Benefits?
• What questions will the SSA ask regarding my case?
• How Long Does the Application Process for Disability Take?
• How can I check the status of my Social Security disability application?
• Can a congressional inquiry help my disability claim?
• What Is an On-the-record Decision and How Do I Request One?
• What is reconsideration and who makes the reconsideration determination?
• How does a video disability hearing work?
• The Importance of Hiring an Attorney for Your Upcoming Disability Hearing
• How Can I Check My Application Status?
• What Forms Do You Need to Apply for Disability?
• What is an Appeals Council Review?
• What’s the First Step You Need to Take To Apply for Disability?
• Who decides whether or not I am disabled?
• How do I submit new medical evidence if there is a change in my condition?
• How Does the SSA Determine If I Can Work?
• What Happens at a Federal Court Disability Review?
• Can a Caregiver Help With Applying for Disability?

Before Applying for SSD - Eligibility

• Where can I find a Social Security office near me?
• Why is there a waiting period for Social Security disability benefits?
• I have low vision. What vision accessible tools are available to me to apply?
• I don't understand the work requirements for Social Security Disability Insurance. What are work credits?
• How does the SSA define "disability?"
• What are the Requirements for SSI?
• How should I apply for benefits at age 60+?
• Can Non-Citizens Receive Disability Benefits?
• How long do I have to work to qualify for Disability?
• Can I get disability benefits if I cannot speak English?
• What are qualifying conditions for SSI?
• What are qualifying conditions for SSDI?
• Should I retire early or apply for Social Security disability?
• What are my chances of being approved for Social Security disability benefits?
• Are There Special Disability Programs for Wounded Warriors?
• Can I Get Benefits If My Deceased Spouse Was on Disability?
• Can I work part time while getting disability?
• What does “ambulate effectively” mean in the Blue Book?
• If I am homeless, can I receive Social Security disability benefits?
• Should I describe my type of work/past industry while applying?
• Can an attorney help me at stages other than a hearing?
• How can I get Social Security disability benefits if I cannot afford to go to a doctor for regular checkups?
• If my condition is not continuous and happens infrequently, can I still apply?
• How do I qualify if I don't meet a Blue Book listing?
• What is a Social Security Disability technical denial?
• Can an adult be eligible for child disability benefits?
• Are expedited benefits available if cancer worsens?
• If My Doctor Says That I Am Disabled, Does That Qualify Me?
• If I developed an additional medical condition, can I receive benefits for multiple illnesses?
• What Makes a Good Attorney to Work With?
• Where do I go to apply for Social Security benefits?
• What are my income limits on Social Security?
• Can you get spousal benefits for a non-marital relationship such as a civil union?
• I am a legal immigrant; will I be able to apply for benefits?
• Can children born outside of marriage get auxiliary benefits?
• What are the requirements for Social Security Disability Insurance?
• Will the SSA consider a chiropractor’s opinion for a back disability?
• How can I get benefits for my grandchild?
• What is the Compassionate Allowance program?
• Can you get disability benefits for back pain with no known cause?
• Why are disability benefits denied?
• Can you transfer work credits from a different country?
• Can you get temporary guardian benefits?
• How will my marital status affect potential SSDI and SSI benefits?
• How much is a Social Security death benefit?
• Will I qualify for disability if I was paid under the table?
• Can I apply for Social Security if other members of my family are working?
• Can a person who attends a rehab clinic qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance?
• What You Can You Do to Help Your Disability Benefits Claim
• How are my assets calculated when I apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?
• What Forms of Income Could Affect My Claim?
• How do you apply for Social Security survivors’ benefits?
• Does getting laid off affect my eligibility?
• Does Hiring an Attorney Improve My Chances of Winning?
• Are any disabilities pre-approved for Social Security?
• How should I apply for benefits at age 50+?

After Approval of Your Disability Claim

• When and How Will I Get My Disability Check?
• How does child support affect my disability benefits?
• Facts on Representative Payees
• If my medical condition heals on its own, will I still be able to receive benefits?
• How can I report a missing disability payment?
• Once I am approved, will I continue to receive disability benefits forever?
• Can Social Security Disability Insurance/Supplemental Security Income benefits be payed retroactively?
• Am I Eligible for Medicare if I Get Disability Benefits?
• Can I keep my benefits if I move out of the U.S.?
• What are State SSI supplements for children?
• Why are disability benefits taxable?
• What are some of the reasons your monthly SSD payments might decrease?
• Do Insurance Payments Affect Social Security Disability?
• What is a disability freeze?
• Do I have to file taxes when receiving disability benefits?
• Can I keep my disability benefits if I go to jail?
• How to report an overpayment
• What is a Disability Expedited Reinstatement?
• What should I do if I go back to work when receiving SSD?
• Do I Have to Apply Every Year After I Start to Receive Benefits?
• How do I appeal a cessation of disability benefits?
• Filing SSA Form MC-49
• If a beneficiary dies, can I get their benefits?
• What Happens to My Benefits after My Trial Work Period?
• How Are Benefit Payments Calculated?
• Why are disability checks late?
• Do I Need To Re-Apply If I Move Out of State?
• Do disability benefits vary state-to-state?

Before Applying for SSD - SSD vs. Other Programs

• Can I get Both Workers' Compensation and SSDI Benefits at the Same Time?
• Should I File for Unemployment and Social Security Disability?
• How do military retirement or VA disability benefits affect eligibility for Social Security Disability Insurance?
• Can I qualify for Supplemental Security Income if I am currently receiving Social Security retirement benefits?
• Will Getting Financial Help Affect My Eligibility for Disability?
• If I'm receiving other forms of benefits, can I get Social Security?
• Why are disability rates increasing?
• Should I Apply for SSDI or SSI?
• Does Receiving Retirement Benefits Affect SSDI/SSI?
• Will disability benefits lower my pension?
• What is the difference between Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income?
• Does my current health insurance affect SSDI or SSI?
• Can I qualify for SSDI if I have another source of benefits (retirement, private pension, workers' compensation, etc.)?
• Can I receive both SSI and SSDI at the same time?
• What is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid?

The Disability Application Process - Legal Representation

• How does the pay scale for a Disability lawyer work?
• How do I prepare for my disability hearing?
• Can I have an attorney at all stages of the disability process?
• How Is a Disability Advocate Different from A Disability Attorney?

The Disability Application Process - Filing Paperwork

• How to fill out form SSA-623
• Filling Out SSA Form SSA-827
• Filling Out Form SSA-3373
• How to fill out form SSA-545
• How to fill out form SSA-3368
• How can I get medical disability records for someone who is deceased?
• How to Fill Out a Social Security Disability Claim Online
• How to fill out the SSA-16-F6 form.
• Filling Out Form SSA-789
• Disability Checklist
• How to fill out form SSA-3441: SSD Denial Appeal
• How to fill out form SSA-1365
• How to fill out form SSA-3369—Work History Report
• Filling Out Form HA-4633
• How to fill out form SSA-561
• Filling Out Form SSA-3820
• Filling Out SSA Form HA-4608
• How to fill out SSA form HA-4632
• What is an RFC (Residual Functional Capacity)?
• How to fill out SSA form HA-501
• Filling Out SSA form HA-520
• Filling Out Form SSA-3381
• Filling Out the Adult Disability Report Form

• How Long Will I Have to Wait for My Appeals Hearing?
• Can Social Security disability payments be mailed to me abroad?