Mar 26

There are many ways by which hiring a social security lawyer can be beneficial to you. Applying for Social Security disability benefits can be a quite a challenging experience, and doing so without a social security lawyer can make it considerably more difficult. A competent social security lawyer can make it easier for you to avail of such benefits, which are often granted depending on your qualifying points. A social security lawyer can help you with the different types of Social Security Disability benefits available and help you decide which one is the most appropriate to your situation. A social security lawyer will even be able to guide you through the qualification process.

There are actually a few disability benefits offered by the Social Security system. The rules for each one can be quite complicated, which is why hiring a social security lawyer can be helpful. A social security lawyer will be able to tell you the differences between each one and which will best suit your needs. In this article however, we will focus on two major types: Social Security Disability Insurance or SSDI, and Supplemental Security Income or SSI. Your eligibility of SSDI is dependent on your work history and disability, while SSI takes into consideration disability, as well as your income, old age or blindness.

Your social security lawyer can help you apply for SSDI if your Social Security fees are paid, and you are suffering from a physical or mental condition that prevents you from working. You are also eligible for the program if you have been disabled for 12 months, you expect to be disabled for the same period, or if death is a possible result of your condition. Since you are eligible for the program if you expect to be disabled for a 12 month period, you do not have to wait that long before filing for benefits.

There are situations wherein the Social Security office will overpay you. When that happens, and the Social Security office made the mistake, yet they ask you to return the excess amount, a social security lawyer can help you in the process of filing for a waiver. If your request for a waiver is denied, you may have your social security lawyer represent you in an appeal process that will determine whether or not you will have to pay back the overpaid benefits.

Mar 21

Q: Should you have a social security lawyer if your disability claim was denied?

A: Having your case reconsidered is your next option if you were not approved for disability after the initial review process. It may be wise to seek the counsel of a social security lawyer if you plan to have your claim reconsidered, since many claims must go on to the hearing process. It is very important that you provide all the requisite forms no later than 60 days after the date of your application denial. If you fail to meet that deadline, you will have to submit a new claim and undergo the initial review process once more. A large number of applications are not approved the first time. In fact, most of the disability claims that are awarded are done so after the hearing process. You cannot, however, request a hearing until your claim has been through the reconsideration process. That is why it is so crucial that you meet the deadline for reconsideration. Again, hiring a social security lawyer can assure that all the necessary deadlines are met and paperwork submitted.

Q: Once you have requested a hearing, how much time does it take?

A: Once your claim for social security disability benefits goes to the Office of Hearings and Appeals, it may take quite some time until a hearing is scheduled. Sometimes it can take up to two years before you have a date for a hearing. The scheduling delay is often dependent upon the backlog in your particular state. It is important, therefore, to not add any more time to the wait by submitting your request for a hearing as quickly as possible. Having an advocate like a social security lawyer on your side during the hearing process can be extremely beneficial. A social security lawyer will assure that your case has been properly prepared and will be presented comprehensively during the hearing.

Q: Do social security disability claimants receive any status updates, while waiting for a hearing to be scheduled?

A: It is not uncommon to hear little from the Office of Hearings and Appeals for long periods of time. Typically, a claimant will be sent a letter confirming the request for a hearing, another to provide the information about a scheduled hearing and one notifying the claimant of approval or denial once the case has been heard. Claimants in some states may also receive an exhibit list, which provides details of everything in your file. If you have concerns about the status of your claim, contact a social security lawyer.

Mar 3

While many people opt to handle the process of applying for Social Security benefits by themselves, there are many instances wherein hiring a Social Security lawyer can make things a lot easier. Since errors made at the start of the application process results are a common occurrence, many claims for disability benefits are often denied. The good news is that these decisions can often be reversed in favor of the applicant, once he or she hires an experienced Social security lawyer to assist in the appeal process. See also here.

How long will it take before you are covered for Medicare?

Most people who are already receiving Social Security disability benefits will receive Medicare coverage automatically. A few months before you turn 65, or before you reach the 24th month of your disability, you will receive information about your Medicare benefits, as well as your Medicare card. If you do not currently receive Medicare benefits however, you may not be enrolled in the program automatically. You will then have to arrange for an appointment with the Social Security Administration. Upon receiving your application, the Social Security office will decide whether or not you are eligible for the program.

What does it mean if you are short one credit for disability insurance?

One of the requirements for being eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits is that you should have received a certain number of credits for the work you have done during a specific period and you should have earned a specified amount during the ten years prior to your disability. A credit is equivalent to a quarter of the calendar year. According to Social Security regulations, you should have earned a specified amount in dollars during a quarter. To be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance, applicants need to have credits equivalent to at least 20 quarters or 5 years’ worth, over the past 40 quarters or the ten years previous to becoming disabled.

Working while you have a Social Security claim pending

A common misconception that many people have is that they cannot apply for Social Security disability benefits while they are working. The fact is that you CAN actually apply for benefits, make an appeal, and even receive social benefits while you are currently working. Keep in mind however that your monthly income cannot be higher than your SGA or substantial gainful activity amount, which is $900.00. The reason behind this restriction is that the Social Security Administration assumes that if you are able to work and earn more than the SGA, you are not legally considered disabled.