If you have a medical condition that prevents you from working and making a living, you may qualify for disability benefits. If the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) approves your application, they will provide you with a regular paycheck to help you care for yourself and your family.
Depending on your work history and financial situation, you could be eligible for one of the SSA’s two disability programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which is a government disability insurance program; or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is a government welfare program for people of limited means who have disabilities.
To receive SSDI or SSI, you must know how to apply for Social Security Disability (SSD). It is important when doing so to ensure that your application is thorough and that the evidence you submit is compelling. Otherwise, you risk receiving a denial—even if your condition qualifies for benefits.
An attorney from the Disability Advantage Group, can help you put forth the strongest application that gives you the best chance of approval. To set up a free consultation with one of our lawyers, call our office at 865-566-0800 today.
How Do I Apply for Disability?
The SSA offers three ways to apply for disability. They are as follows.
Online
You can use the online application on the SSA’s website to apply for benefits. To do so, you must:
- Be 18 or older;
- Not be currently receiving benefits on your own;
- Have a disability that has prevented you from working for at least 12 months—or your doctor expects it to do so; and
- Not have received a denial for benefits within the past 60 days.
By Phone
You can apply via phone by calling the SSA at 800-772-1213.
In Person
You may apply in person by visiting your nearest Social Security office. It is a good idea to call ahead and set up an appointment.
When Should I Apply for Disability?
You should apply for SSD benefits as soon as possible after receiving a diagnosis for a disabling condition. For SSDI, your disability must last for five months before you can qualify for benefits. If you are eligible for SSI, you can receive benefits starting the first full month after you submit your application. Our attorneys can help you understand the requirements of each program before you apply.
The SSA, unfortunately, does not process applications overnight, so there will be a waiting period between when you apply and when you start receiving benefits. It could be weeks or even months before your first check arrives.
The good news is you may be eligible to receive back pay for the period from when you apply to when you start receiving benefits. That said, if you are disabled and unable to work, your bills do not stop coming while you wait for approval. The sooner you get started, the sooner the SSA can approve your application and start paying you benefits.
Do I Need a Disability Lawyer?
Did you know that many disability applicants get rejected on their initial application? Even worse, many people who get denied have qualifying conditions—they simply make mistakes or omit important information during the application process.
When you work with a disability attorney from the Disability Advantage Group, you can be confident that you are putting forth the strongest possible application possible. We can help make sure you include every piece of evidence you need to maximize your chance of approval.
If you have applied for benefits already and received a denial, we can help you in the appeals process. We will go over your case and your reason for denial and help you put together an appeal that gets approved as quickly as possible.
Our team has a strong track record of winning disability benefits for our clients. We want to put our extensive resources to work for you.
How Can I Schedule a Free Consultation With an Attorney?
The legal team at the Disability Advantage Group, is ready and waiting to help you apply for and win SSD benefits. The initial consultation is always free, so there is no risk in talking to one of our lawyers and seeing what we can do for you. Call 865-566-0800 to set up your appointment today.