What is Social Security Disability Insurance?
People pay into social security to establish a safety net after retirement. However, did you know that you can be covered for a medical disability at any age? Read on to learn more.
What Is Disability?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a supplemental insurance program designed to help those with a qualifying disability meet their needs. The application process is long, however, as it requires medical examinations and tons of paperwork. How efficiently you’re able to navigate the process determines how quickly you’ll receive the benefits.
Who Qualifies for SSDI?
Disabilities can be physical or mental. The first step toward qualification is to prove that you are unable to perform your current job due to an injury or chronic condition. You may also need to provide proof that due to your age or condition, you cannot qualify for other employment. These steps require an examination and determination by a licensed medical or mental health professional.
Next, you must have worked and paid into Social Security for at least five of the previous 10 years. This requirement may be waived in the case of children who are born with disabilities or adults who become disabled, which necessitates a different type of coverage. You should apply as soon as you believe you may need benefits.
The Filing Process
Benefits don’t kick in until six full months after you become disabled. Since your waiting period begins the first full month after your injury or the onset of your condition, it’s important to apply as soon as you think you might qualify. If your condition improves, you lose nothing. However, waiting may cause unnecessary delays in payments.
In addition to filing medical forms and information, there’s also an interview process with the Social Security Administration. Unfortunately, many claims are denied initially. The good news is that the majority of those claims are approved after filing an appeal. That’s why it’s important to have the help of knowledgeable professionals who can guide you through the process and make sure you do it right.
Appealing Your Case
If your claim is denied, you’re entitled to file a request for reconsideration. This is the step where most people receive a favorable outcome. If the appeal is denied, you can ask for a hearing to provide new or supplementary evidence. The hearing, which will be before an Administrative Law Judge, gives you a chance to plead your case in person rather than online or over the phone.
If the appeal is denied, you can ask for a review of the decision by the Appeals Council. The final step is to file a review in federal court. Fortunately, most cases don’t go that far.