How To File For Social Security Disability Benefits?

Social Security started as retirement benefits for the elderly. Over time, the government extended these benefits to cover the disabled. It provides monetary benefits for those who are unable to work due to a physical or mental impairment. There are two types of benefits available. The first is Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits, also known as DIB. These protect people disabled after working for many years. Dependents may also receive benefits in some cases. The other type of coverage is Supplemental Security Income. These benefits cover those who are elderly, blind, or disabled. This program requires that you prove monetary need.

To qualify for disability, you must prove that you meet the programs' definition of disabled. You must prove that you are unable to perform work due to a physical or mental impairment. The disability must be for at least 12 months or end in death. The process takes into account the person's age, work history, and education level. A doctor's report must agree that you are disabled and you must show a medical treatment history as well.

There are three ways to file for disability benefits. The first is going to a Social Security Administration office and applying in person. The second is going to the SSA website and applying online. The third option is applying by phone. All of these methods involve the same questions. They require a full outline of your disability and medical treatment history. You will need to provide documentation from your doctor and any other medical experts you consulted. The government may take a few weeks to review the application. They will schedule an appointment for you to visit a doctor in your area for an evaluation.

At that point, they will either approve or deny your application. Do not be surprised if the SSA denies your application. They reject almost 75% of applications. However, you may appeal the decision. This is where an attorney may come in handy. They know what the SSA is looking for and can help you appeal. Many attorneys specialize in this type of legal work and can help you navigate the SSA waters. They do have a fee attached, but most will not charge you until you get an award. If awarded, the amount you receive will be more than the zero that you would have gotten otherwise. If you are disabled, do not let the government deny you the benefits coming to you.

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Social Security Retirement Benefits - When Should I Collect?

Can't decide when is the best time to collect Social Security? 62? My full retirement age? Should I wait until I'm 70? These are the questions that we all will face as we get closer and closer to retirement age.

Choosing which option is right for you can be quite a chore but the first thing you need to do is to request an earnings statement from the Social Security Administration. This statement will give you a year by year breakdown of your earnings as well as tell you how you will be able to collect if you retire early, at full retirement age and what you will be able to collect at age 70. It will take about a month or so to get it but once you do you will be able to sit down and do the math. Just remember that whatever payment you decide to collect, other than for cost of living adjustments, it will not change.

Your first option is to take reduced benefits at age 62. If you were born before 1937, you would receive 80% of your full retirement benefits. If you were born after 1938, the full retirement age will begin to increase. For those born between 1943 and 1954, you won't be eligible for full retirement until you are 66. After 1954, the age you will be able to retire with full benefits will rise in 2 month increments until full retirement age reaches 67 for everyone born in 1960 or later. Sound confusing? It is.

To complicate matters even more, there are other factors you need to consider before deciding when the best time to collect is.
If you chose to accept payments early, you will be limited in how much you can make if you decide to continue working up until you reach full retirement age. In 2002, wage earners younger than the current full retirement age of 65 will lose 50 cents in benefits on every $1 they earn over $11,280. After reaching full retirement age, you will not lose any of your benefits but they may become subject to taxes depending upon your filing status.

If your spouse hasn't worked and/or earned much under Social Security and you want to increase your spouse's benefits, you may want to wait until your full retirement age. When your spouse is ready to retire, he/she will be able to choose between their own records or they can receive half of their spouse's benefits. In the event of the death of the higher earning spouse, the surviving spouse can claim the deceased's full benefits.

The Social Security Administration calculates benefits using a complicated algorithm based on life expectancy so if you have a family history of longevity, you might want to consider waiting to collect until you are 70 so you can get the maximum payout.

If you don't need the money, you may want to consider collecting early and depositing it into a retirement account where you can collect interest.

Whatever you decide to do, think it through thoroughly before you make your final decision about when to collect your Social Security Retirement Benefits, it can make a big difference in how much you will ultimately collect.

To fill Social Security disability application click below

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How to Start Your Social Security Disability Application?

Most of the application can be filled out online, and if you're having any trouble with your social security disability application, any social security representative can come out and help you.

That said, though the SSA can help, you will almost certainly have much better luck working with an advocate. A disability advocate can help you with both the application process and if necessary the appeals process. A large percentage of applications are initially denied, so you are likely to need help with an appeals process.

Moving on with the application process, in special circumstances parents can apply for children that can't apply for themselves. Blind, deaf, or disabled children can have their parents apply for them. Or, other third parties can apply for children.

You will need certain elements when you apply. Please be sure to bring these to the SSI office, or to submit digital copies if you elect to file online:

You will need the following:

• You need to bring your social security card or an official record or copy of your social security number.
• You will need to bring your birth certificate or another valid proof of age.
• You will need verifiable proof about where you live like a mortgage or lease statement.
• You will need information about your income like payroll slips, insurance accounts, and burial fund records, including how much money you earn and a list of your assets.
• You will need all the contact information for the nurses, doctors, and hospitals you've visited.
• You will need proof that you're a U.S. citizen.
• You will need a checkbook or account statement for your bank.

These crucial pieces of information are necessary to get a social security application filed. This information will needed to help to prove that you really do qualify for disability benefits. It will also prove that you are who you say you are, and not someone attempting to falsify an application.

Once you're approved (if you're approved), you will get all your payments electronically. This is easy and convenient for people that are disabled and can't go to the bank to get alternate payments. They get the money deposited straight into their account through direct deposit, the Direct Express card program, or an Electronic Transfer Account.

If you disagree with any decision, you can appeal it because you may have actually deserved Social Security Disability payments but didn't get them. No one's right the first time all the time, or there wouldn't be an appeals process. Don't get discouraged if you get turned down. There might be some legitimate reasons why it didn't turn out all right, or there could have just been technical errors. A parent or guardian can help you if you're too young to understand it.

Why Should You Apply for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits?

If you can't work due to a medical condition, you may be eligible for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration. Before beginning the application process, here are some things to know first.

What is Social Security Disability Insurance?

Social Security disability insurance, or SSDI, is a financial safety net for workers who are unable to continue working due to a severe medical condition. It is a total disability insurance program for insured workers.

Are You Insured for Disability Benefits?

If you contributed to Social Security through the jobs you've had by paying an employment tax called the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), you are insured for benefits. But, there's a catch.

Depending on your age, you also must have worked recently enough and accumulated enough quarters. For example, if you're 31 years old or older, the rule is that you must have worked a total of 20 quarters, or five years, within the last 10 years to qualify for disability benefits.

Check Your Earnings Statement

The best way for you to know if you're insured for disability benefits is to check your earnings statement. This statement used to be mailed to you annually about three months before your birthday. Now it's available online at the Social Security Administration web site.

It's a good idea to review your statement before applying for disability benefits. Not only will it tell you if you're insured, you can also find out how much your monthly cash benefit could be.

Understand that your benefits are figured out from your work history. So, if you're no longer working and paying FICA taxes, you can never get more in benefits, even if your condition gets worse.

Does Your Medical Condition Qualify?

Once you know if you're insured for benefits, the next hurdle is to prove that you're disabled.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines "disability" as a condition that is so severe it is preventing you from working at any job for a year, or could result in death.

them in a publication commonly called SSA's "Blue Book."

If your condition is listed, more than likely you won't have a problem qualifying for disability benefits, especially if you have medical proof and the support of your doctors.

But, what if your condition isn't listed? Don't be discouraged. SSA understands that there are exceptions, and has devised a complex evaluation system to determine disability that takes into account your age, work skills, education, and medical history.

However, it could take months to get approved. Applying for disability is complicated, even online at the SSA Web site.

It may be best not to attempt an application on your own. Find a Social Security disability advocate to help you get your earned safety net of disability benefits.

Freedom Disability has helped thousands of people nationwide who are living with disabilities apply for Social Security Disability Benefits with the Social Security Administration. Freedom Disability has expert Disability Advocates with years of experience on the subject of benefits for the disabled and have an A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau. For a free consultation click the banner below.

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