Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, is financial help extended to people who are no longer able to work to earn their livelihood. The disability could be physical or mental and of a nature that completely inhibits the individual’s capacity to work.
The SSDI is a tax payer-funded program and there are stringent eligibility criteria that need to be fulfilled. These criteria are listed in great detail online by the SSDI authorities. Details include a list of medical health conditions that qualify as disability. These include mental health problems, ailments affecting other body parts, hormonal problems, digestive disorders, etc.
However, despite the detailed information provided, as many as 70% of claims are rejected by the SSDI authorities. For this reason, along with other benefits of reaching out to a professional, a claim is best processed through an SSDI law firm.
Why Apply for SSDI At All?
The SSDI program offers financial help, but there are other advantages as well:
- Income adjusted for inflation: In most other programs that provide benefits, the payouts do not take future inflation into account. SSDI benefits, on the other hand, increases as cost per living increases and accounts for inflation in the future.
- No dip in benefit capacity: Most other benefit programs calculate payouts as per an individual’s earnings and so, when the earning capacity goes down as a result of the disability, so does the benefit amount. SSDI however, makes payments based on the individual’s last earnings.
- Extended medical coverage: SSDI complements the medical coverage offered by COBRA Disability extension, provided this extension is applied for within the 18 months offered by COBRA.
- Back-to-work incentives: SSDI also provides back-to-work incentives and earnings of the disabled individual remain uninterrupted during both, the occupational or vocational rehabilitation program, as well as a trial period when the person goes back to work. At the end of these programs, if the person is still determined to be disabled, the benefits may still continue if the person is unable to earn a specified minimum amount.
The Facts
Disability is harsh. Imagine not having the security of a regular income. Savings can dry up quickly unless matched by some form of incoming revenue. Retirement options too can drain out very quickly once the health bills start piling up. At this stage, when the individual applies for SSDI benefits without any help from a law firm or attorney, chances of being approved can diminish to zero. Add to this a sense of loss or dip in motivation levels.
It makes sense to contact a professional who understands SSDI when applying for disability benefits . More SSDI claims are denied than approved, and the huge number of applications means medical reports are scrutinized closely, and often critically. A claim for SSDI benefits can take a long time to process.
The benefits of applying with the help of an SSDI law firm are numerous:
- Helping ensure error-free application: An SSDI attorney knows exactly what documents are needed for the application, thus helping you cut down on chances of error.
- Representing a strong case: Every case is unique and requires an in-depth understanding of different legal statutes to apply them correctly. Unlike an individual operating alone, a lawyer will know exactly how to present your case such that your chances of winning increase.
- Enhancing your chances: An attorney for Social Security Benefits knows that chances of winning may increase at the hearing level. Thus, where an individual may give up the fight, a professional will help the individual’s efforts to win.
- In-depth understanding: Technical issues such as medical coverage and disability extensions are also best understood by a professional. Benefits applicable to your dependents, etc. are also understood by a professional, thus helping you prepare a comprehensive application that stands a better chance of approval.
If you are interested in learning more about how to put in a claim for SSDI benefits or if you would like to know more about how to apply for disability benefits, call us at (855) 254-7841 for immediate assistance.
About Us:
Legal Rights Advocates, PLLC is a law firm that helps clients facing the prospect of physical disability that renders them incapable of working to support themselves and their dependents. Our team of professionals, over the years, has helped countless clients get benefits that are their rightful due under the Social Security Disability program.