Social Security Disability Claims
It’s something most of us don’t think about – becoming disabled and unable to work. Unfortunately, the odds are greater than most imagine – three in ten people will become disabled and unable to work before reaching retirement age. For the Social Security Administration, the criteria for determining if someone may be eligible for disability benefits includes if the disability prevents him or her from working, is expected to last at least a year or result in death. In addition, the Social Security Administration screens those submitting claims to determine if they have worked long enough before the disability to be eligible to receive benefits. Social Security disability claims typically take three to six months to process, so it’s best not to wait. There are many forms to fill out and information to provide. It can be complicated and difficult. The best bet is to work with an attorney who can help you through the process. Mayer Gordon has expertise in the Social Security disability claims process and can be an excellent support if you are considering filing for Social Security disability benefits.
Among other things, the Social Security Administration will need the following documentation when applying for Social Security disability benefits:
- Your Social Security number;
- Your birth or baptismal certificate;
- Names, addresses and phone numbers of the doctors, caseworkers, hospitals and clinics that took care of you and dates of your visits;
- Names and dosage of all the medicine you take;
- Medical records from your doctors, therapists, hospitals, clinics and caseworkers that you already have in your possession;
- Laboratory and test results;
- A summary of where you worked and the kind of work you did; and
- A copy of your most recent W-2 Form (Wage and Tax Statement) or, if you are self-employed, your federal tax return for the past year.
There’s more, but that list is a good start. When determining eligibility for Social Security disability claims, the Social Security Administration will answer a five part set of questions. The questions are: 1) Are you working? 2) Is your medical condition “severe”? 3) Is your medical condition on the state agency List of Impairments? 4) Can you do the work you did before? 5) Can you do any other kind of work? The SSA is obviously trying to determine if you have a true need for disability benefits. Even those who qualify can get turned down one or more times, so the smartest thing is to have an attorney on your side. Mayer Gordon is an excellent choice for a qualified lawyer who can support and assist you through the application process.
