When you become disabled: Fort Lauderdale attorneys help with applying for Social Security disability benefits
When disability becomes a reality for a family’s chief earner, the result can be devastating. The income loss can lead to a loss of lifestyle, property, can put people into bankruptcy, and even lead to poverty. You may never think that disability will some day be a consequence forcing you to alter your life, but the Social Security Administration is ready to point out otherwise; according to its website: “just over 1 in 4 of today’s 20-year-olds will become disabled before reaching age 67.” It’s a harsh reality.
The fact remains that everyone should have a safety net. If disability becomes a situation that your family will be facing, you should consult a social security disability attorney to find out what benefits you are entitled to and the amount that you can look forward to receiving.
Fortunate for those suffering from injury or sickness, the Social Security Disability (SSD) insurance program has been adjusted through the years to give aid to those facing disability through serious injury, illness, or medical condition. Accessing these benefits remains tough, however. The application process can be lengthy and demanding, with many areas that require a specific level of expertise, something that families don’t need to deal with in the face of a situation that is set to change their lives. Although entitled to the benefits, people can be rejected for a number of reasons – they’ve missed a deadline, they lack the necessary medical records, or are facing other requirements with which they are unfamiliar.
The Social Security Administration (www.ssa.gov) offers information on how to apply for social security disability benefits. In addition, Fort Lauderdale attorneys who are experts on the law and have full knowledge of the ins and outs of social security disability benefits, can also help you determine whether you qualify, how to apply, who is eligible to receive benefits on your earnings record, and when Medicare coverage will begin for social security disability beneficiaries. Seeking an attorney’s counsel is necessary when it comes to preparing for the interview you will have with a social security representative, who will assess our case and determine the amount in benefits you will receive.
Who qualifies? You are eligible for social security disability if you have been a victim of the following:
Accidents: An accident that resulted in amputated limbs, paralysis, brain injuries, or vision impairment will qualify you for benefits.
Health Issues – Heart-related issues, Parkinson’s disease, chronic asthma, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and Lou Gehrig’s disease are among the health issues covered under social security disability. Mental illnesses, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, are also covered.
If any of these situations prevents you from working for at least 12 months, you could be entitled to SSD benefits, in which you will receive payments on a monthly basis as long as you’ve contributed to Social Security for a certain amount of time. Keep in mind that it’s important not to enter the process alone – there are many areas of the system that entail specific knowledge and expertise that can only be found with a reliable professional firm.
What you can do, however, in the meantime, is make yourself aware of the process and begin to gather the following information, which you can also find on the website www.socialsecurity.gov/applyfordisability:
- personal and income information to complete the interview to determine if you are eligible for disability benefits
- medical records already in your possession
- workers’ compensation information, including the settlement
- agreement, date of injury, claim number, and proof of other disability
- any awarded payment amounts
In gathering the various documents you need to apply for SSD benefits, you should also be prepared to tell the representative a little about our work history, how you live on a day-to-day basis, and any past health issues. You may be rejected numerous times but can also re-apply.
In addition, you may also qualify for benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if you have limited income and resources. SSI is a federal program that provides monthly payments to people age 65 or older and to people who are blind or disabled. If you get SSI, you also may be able to get other benefits, such as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
All of this is time consuming. By contacting an experienced attorney, you can remove the stress from the process and ensure you’ll be in a great position to get accepted by the Social Security Administration the first time around. If you happen to get rejected, we’ll know exactly how to act and improve your application so it doesn’t happen a second time.
Why go it alone? You can receive a free social security disability consultation in Fort Lauderdale. Having an attorney by your side, someone who is familiar with the government, the Social Security Administration, how the disability process works, and what steps in the process to be particularly careful with, can help you and your family overcome the problems associated with illness or sudden accidents. Save your strength for what matters: getting your life back to normal again.
