What Is Social Security Disability?

A person is considered disabled if they suffer a physical or emotional condition which doesn’t allow them to perform gainful professional activity. An individual’s age, education, and past work history are also taken into consideration when granting this this designation.

When did Americans become eligible to receive these particular benefits?
The United States Social Security program was initially enacted by Franklin Roosevelt on August 14, 1935, as a way for elderly workers to collect retirement benefits. The law was later changed in 1956 during Dwight D. Eisenhower’s presidency, which added disability benefits to the equation.

Social Security Disability: Application Process

Which requirements must be met to receive Social Security Disability benefits?
To fully qualify for benefits, your condition must have already lasted for a full year, or be expected to sustain throughout a full year. An individual applying for disability benefits may not be currently employed, and must have met a particular set of earning requirements at the point they became disabled. These requirements ask that you were employed for five out of ten years prior to becoming disabled, and that you were fully insured.

What will it cost me to file for Social Security Disability benefits?
Enough money to obtain all pertinent medical records from your current physician. Aside from the documents, there are no costs bundled with the application process.

At which point should I actually apply to receive my benefits?
Time is certainly of the essence when it comes to your disability benefits. Before applying, it’s important that your doctor presents you with a confident year-long diagnosis. In some cases, folks will have to observe their condition for a period of time, and watch for signs of improvement or deterioration. If matters are dire, however, and you’re forced to immediately leave work, it’s best to apply right away.

Can I be reimbursed for the period of work I missed while my benefits status was still pending?
You can actually receive retroactive benefits stretching back a year prior to your application submission. In most cases you’ll be required to prove that you were disabled throughout this entire span, and that you were additionally not employed.

Are any formal interviews administered throughout the Social Security application process?
U.S. citizens applying to receive benefits won’t actually have to meet face-to-face with any governmental figures until an official hearing before an administrative law. At this point, you’ll be able to plead your case to an actual ranking official. In many regards, this is the most crucial stage of the entire submissions process.

If I’ve already been turned down to receive Social Security Disability benefits, can I appeal the negative ruling?
Absolutely you can. After a denial of benefits, you have a full 60 days to dispute the ruling that was just handed down. You can file your appeal in a similar fashion to the way you initially applied for benefits, either in person or through postal submission.

How many separate stages are there throughout the benefits application process?
There are generally four stages you’ll encounter while applying for disability benefits. Most folks are denied upon submitting their initial application. At this point, you’ll be forced to enter the second “reconsideration” stage. If you’re hit with another negative ruling, you’ll be granted an additional 60 days to apply again, at which point you’ll enter into the hearing stage. This is widely regarded as the most critical portion of the submissions process. Here, you’ll meet with an administrative judge and plead your case. If you are once again denied, you may then appeal your case to an actual appeals council. If you lose at this level, you do have the right to file a case in federal court, but this is a highly arduous process without the proper legal guidance.

Which factors will strengthen my Social Security case?
It’s always best that you’re able to present impenetrable medical evidence which accurately supports your disability claims. It’s also advantageous when your personal physician can present the court with a comprehensive narrative that also supports your given case.

If I was never actually employed, is there any way I can still receive Social Security Disability benefits?
You can apply for benefits utilizing the earning records of other people. For instance, if you happen to be a disabled child or widow/widower, it’s possible to present a strong legal case. These particular applications have a higher rate of failure within court, but have also been proven to pass in many instances.