The application process for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can be completed by most people. The rejection rate for fist-time applications, nearly 70 percent according to the Social Security Administration, makes it important to use the services of social security disability lawyers to complete the application successfully. Don't waste your time by filing an inaccurate application. Hire an attorney to make sure you aren't denied for one of the following reasons.
You Earn Too Much Money
The SSDI application process looks at a variety of sources to determine your eligibility for benefits. Some sources don't count as income which helps you to stay under the maximum allowable income amounts to receive benefits. Any food assistance programs do not count as income, nor do any gifts of money you receive from family or friends. If you do odd jobs for people for small amounts of money, that may not be counted as income. A social security disability attorney knows which sources count toward your allowable income so you don't have to guess when filling out the application.
Your Physical Disability Is Not Long-Term
According to the Social Security Administration, your physical disability from a disease or injury must keep your from working for at least one year. If you fall and injure your back, you may be unable to work for several months. But if you return to work before the end of the year, you are not eligible for any SSDI benefits. Your attorney will work with your medical providers to determine the length of time you'll be off work to use as input to the application.
Missing Health Information
Your medical records are an important source of support for your application. The approval decision hinges on these records proving that your disability is serious enough to keep you from working. If you omit any medical records, either intentionally or as an oversight, your application will be denied. For example, if you were treated for depression during the time you were also being treated for your back pain, and you decide not to disclose that information, your application will be denied. An attorney knows which information can safely be omitted without affecting your application's chance of approval.
Substance Addiction Was Responsible For The Injury
If you have a history of drug or alcohol use and it can be linked to the disability, your application will be denied. For example, if you have a few drinks before going to your night shift job as a security guard, and you fall and hurt your back, the Social Security Administration may see a link between alcohol and the fall and deny your application. You'll want to use an attorney to help you navigate through this issue should alcohol or drug use be involved.
You Resist Treatment
Your application can also be denied if you have failed to follow any treatment recommendations by your doctors. One exception is if you can't afford the treatment. A social security attorney will know the other exceptions to this rule if you have had to ignore some treatment instructions.
Making sure that your initial SSDI application is complete and accurate is important to prevent it from being denied, requiring you to go into the appeal process. Using an attorney at the start of the process is the best way to know that you have done everything correctly and have the best chance for success. For more information, visit http://asmlegal.net/ or a similar website.
Share14 January 2015
Were you injured at work and fighting to get the workers compensation that you have paid into each year? Sometimes, getting those payments can be very difficult. What do you do when an employer fights the claim? Do you need a lawyer to help you through the process? How will you pay for a lawyer if you cannot even pay your electric bill? You are probably as lost as I was when I went through the process. Fortunately, you can learn from my experience with the system and find the answers to many of the questions that you have about filing a workers comp claim and fighting the system when it is denied.
