SOCIAL SECURITY

There are two different forms of social security. Social Security Disability (SSD) provides income and benefits to people who have worked and paid social security taxes in the past but are now disabled and unable to earn income. It is a federal government program that provides disabled people with monetary and medical benefits so that they will be able to have a source of income and obtain medical treatment when they have become disabled and are no longer able to work. For many disabled claimants, SSD provides the assistance they need to survive.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides disabled individuals with income regardless of whether or not they have been employed in the past. For both Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income, you must show that your disability would prevent you from gaining income or employment for at least one year.

You should file for Social Security Disability benefits as soon as you become disabled and learn your disabling condition will likely keep you from working for at least one year or it is expected to result in death. The sooner you start the application process, the less likely it is there will be a delay in your payments. The application process for Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income can be very difficult. If you or a loved one is applying for SSD or SSI, you should consider hiring an experienced disability attorney. Sometimes, legitimate claimants are denied SSD because they fail to complete all of the appropriate forms or provide convincing evidence of their disability.

The entire process of the initial determination of disability can take three to five months or more. Following the receipt of you application for disability benefits, a social security representative will review the information you have provided. The information will be forwarded to a state vocational rehabilitation agency which assists the Social Security Administration in every state. The state agency may gather additional evidence to further develop your file. Also, most state agencies employ doctors to review your medical records and offer opinions to your ability to work. The agency may also send a doctor for a consultative examination.

If your application for disability benefits is denied, you have a right to appeal the decision. The first level appeal is called a reconsideration during which your file is reviewed again by the state agency. The next appeal goes before an Administrative Law Judge for a hearing at the Social Security Office of Disability Adjudication and Review. Following this stage, you have a right to appeal to the Social Security Appeals Council (SSAC). Finally, you may appeal to the federal courts. It is critical that you utilize the services of an experienced Social Security Disability attorney at all levels of the appeals process.

All levels of the Social Security Disability benefits process can be confusing, time consuming and complex. An experienced attorney from Rutter Mills can answer your Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income questions and assist you through all levels of the qualification process. Our knowledge, experience and persistence in obtaining favorable outcomes for individuals who are in need and should be awarded their Social Security Disability benefits has been demonstrated by our proven record of success. If you have been denied benefits and you like additional information how the attorneys at Rutter Mills can help you, click here.