Without consulting with a Fishkill NY Social Security disability lawyer, applying for Social Security disability benefits may be a daunting task. Successfully filing a claim requires extensive knowledge of the Social Security disability process.
Are you out of work due to severe symptoms? Is your financial future on the line because of your disability? Fortunately, our knowledgeable lawyers at Hermann Law Group PLLC are available to help.
Learn about the entire Social Security disability claims process below, and contact us today to start your disability claim.
What Is the Difference Between SSI Benefits and Social Security Disability Benefits?
Though Social Security and SSI offer benefits to disabled Americans, they differ on the benefits they offer, as well as the requirements for eligibility. Your household income, history of work, and other factors determine if you qualify for SSI, Social Security disability, or a combination of the both.
Qualifying for SSD
These following factors can determine if you qualify to receive Social Security disability:
- You’ve worked for at least five of the past ten years
- Your doctor diagnosed you with a disabling medical condition, and
- Your illness prevents you fro working for at least 1 year.
As soon as you meet the criteria above and the Social Security Administration approves your claim, you can start to receive your benefits. Meeting eligibility for Social Security for at least two years allows you to apply for Medicare.
Qualifying for SSI
In many cases, an inadequate amount of work history stops most people from getting Social Security disability. Unfortunately, that same fact applies to family caregivers, people with longstanding disabilities, and young adults. Luckily, those same people may still qualify for Supplemental Security Income, or SSI. If you fail to meet Social Security disability requirements, you may still qualify for SSI based on the following conditions:
- Your financial resources and countable, household income
- Your medical issues severity, and
- If your conditions stops your from working for at least 1 year.
In 2017, the limits of countable income for SSI were $1,103 for couples and $735 for single people. Unfortunately, it’s important to remember that SSI payments are more often less than what Social Security disability may payout. Furthermore, SSI will not provide you with Medicare. It will instead provide you with Medicaid.
To figure out if you’re eligible for either SSI or Social Security disability, you need to first review your earning and medical records. Consult a Fishkill NY Social Security disability lawyer if you still unsure if you qualify for either of these benefits.
Applying for Social Security Disability in Fishkill NY
You can apply for Social Security at your local office or online. Either way you apply, you must first organize all your evidence. The SSA will ask that you provide the following information:
- Details about your medical issue and the day your problem became disabling
- The contact information and names of your medical providers
- Training skills and vocational qualifications
- Mental and physical capabilities
- Living and personal financial situation
The SSA will evaluate your medical records once you fill out your application. Often, the Administration will also request that you see one of their consulting doctors to accurately assess your mental and physical health. Following your exam, the administration will choose to deny or approve your application. With your Fishkill NY Social Security disability lawyer’s help, you’re more likely to get an approval. However, sometimes the administration will still deny your claim. If this happens, and you’re denied, what do you do next?
Successfully Appealing a Denied Disability Claim
Never give up even if the sSA denies your application. In fact, over 65 percent of disability claims are denied. Fortunately, your seasoned Fishkill NY Social Security disability lawyer can help you appeal and overturn most denials.
These are the most common reasons applications are denied:
- You didn’t give Social Security all of your medical records
- The administration didn’t fully comprehend your doctor’s opinions
- You:
- gave false information on your disability application
- failed to complete every form
- didn’t list every one of your medical issues
After Social Security denies your claim, your Fishkill disability lawyer will help you review your application in order to correct any issues.
A Request for Reconsideration needs to be submitted no later than 60 days past your denied claim. If you do not comply with this deadline, then you need to start the disability application process over. Should your appeal also be denied, then you must request a formal hearing. Your Fishkill NY Social Security disability lawyer can assist you in preparing the following for your hearing:
- Gathering evidence which supports your claim
- Completely filling out every necessary forms
- Educating you on every aspect of appeals
- Requesting an expedited hearing (when applicable)
Contact a Fishkill NY Social Security Disability Lawyer
Talk to a seasoned Fishkill NY Social Security disability lawyer today at Hermann Law Group PLLC.