If you are considering applying for Social Security Disability in Fort Wayne, there are a few things you need to consider. In order to qualify for social security disability insurance, you will have to prove that you suffer from a debilitating medical condition (physical or mental) that either renders you permanently disabled or prohibits you from working for 12 consecutive months. In assessing your ability to work, your local Indiana Social Security Administration office will forward your case to the Indiana Disability Determination Bureau (DDB). The DDB uses the information you provide (and the information provided by your doctor) to determine if your medical condition prevents you from achieving gainful employment.
More often than not, the initial claim is denied by the Social Security Administration. Only about 30% of initial claims are awarded. You have the right to appeal that initial decision and your case will go back to the DDB and be reviewed by a different adjudicative team. If the claim is denied a second time, you retain the right to appeal again and your case will be heard by an administrative law judge (ALJ) who reviews and makes determinations on Fort Wayne disability benefits cases. At present, the award rate at the hearing level for disability benefits cases in Fort Wayne is 53%.
Fort Wayne Health Resources
Your disability case depends heavily on the information in your medical records so it’s important that you are regularly seeing a doctor who knows your history and is actively treating you for your disability. The DDB adjudicative team that makes the determination on your case will do so based on the findings in your medical history. They will generally contact the physician treating you and request your records. One of the keys to winning any Fort Wayne disability case is to make sure your medical file is up-to-date and complete.
If you are denied disability benefits in Fort Wayne due to insufficient medical documentation, you will have a chance to submit any missing information during the reconsideration appeal. The Social Security Administration, through the Disability Determination Bureau, may require you to undergo additional examinations paid for by the state. If you do not have a regular treating physician or cannot afford to go to a doctor, there are health resources available to help you obtain the treatment you need. Fort Wayne has several free/reduced-cost health facilities to service you:
Neighborhood Health Clinics, Inc.
1717 S. Calhoun Street Fort Wayne, IN 46802 (260) 458-2641
Fort Wayne - Allen County Department of Health
200 E Berry St, Suite 360 Fort Wayne, IN 46802 (260) 449-7561
Matthew 25 Health and Dental Clinic
413 E. Jefferson Blvd Fort Wayne IN 46802 (260) 426-3250
Fort Wayne Mental Health Resources
As well, if you are in need of treatment for a mental illness, there are reputable mental health treatment centers in Fort Wayne.
Park Center, Inc.
909 East State Boulevard Fort Wayne, IN 46805 (260) 481-2700
Family & Children Services
2712 South Calhoun Street Fort Wayne, IN 46807 Phone: (260) 744-4326
Fort Wayne Supplemental Benefits
The state of Indiana provides a state supplement to adult recipients of federal social security benefits if the individual needs care in a residential facility that is not a nursing home through Indiana Family and Social Services Administration. Currently the maximum supplemental benefit for an individual is $943 and $1,415 for couples.
Your Fort Wayne Social Security Disability Claim
Filing a disability claim with the Social Security Administration can be a time-consuming process. The average processing time for a disability case in Fort Wayne is nearly one year - 309 days. Your attorney can help you to more easily navigate the system and keep you from making costly mistakes. Many Fort Wayne disability lawyers will only charge a fee if they win your case. If they do win, their fees are distributed from past due benefits that become payable to you or through a fee petition. Current rates are 25% of the past due award amount, with a maximum fee of $6,000. If you are interested in obtaining an evaluation of your Social Security Disability case, click the "Free Disability Evaluation" link at the top of the page for your free case evaluation or to get more information about hiring a Fort Wayne disability attorney.
