If you are one of the 12.8% of Americans who have a disability, you may be feeling overwhelmed and worried about your financial security.
Coping with a disability can be difficult at first, but there are options available to you that could make your life a bit easier. If you classify as disabled, then you could be eligible for disability benefit.
The Social Security Administration classifies a disability as being unable to work due to an illness or injury that causes you mental or physical impairment. So, if this applies to you, and you are not already claiming disability, you could be missing out.
However, many people feel daunted at the prospect of filling in forms. But once you understand the basics, you should feel more confident to apply for disability.
Read on to find out more.
Talk To Your Physician
First things first, if you plan on applying for disability, you need to make an appointment and talk to your doctor.
Part of the process of applying for disability is gathering evidence about your condition. Your doctor can help you assemble your medical documents which you can use in your application.
Ask your doctor if they can provide a written statement about your condition and how it affects your everyday life. The statement should comment on the type of work and activities that you are unable to do, and why.
Once you have the written statement you should compile it with any other records of your illness or injuries. This will include records of hospitalization and any medication you are taking.
Apply For Disability
The next step is to actually apply for disability benefit. You can do this in one of three ways:
- Make an appointment at your local Social Security office
- Phone the Social Security Administration on 1-800-772-1213
- Apply online
If you make the application in person or over the phone, it is likely that you will undergo a disability interview at the same time. This establishes the nature of your disability and is when you should provide the documents you have obtained from your doctor. The more information you can provide at this stage the better your chances of having a successful application.
Once you have completed the application and had your disability interview, the SSA will review your case.
How Long Does It Take?
The Social Security Administration can take up to six months to assess whether you meet their qualifications. You will be notified of their decision at this point.
If your application is not accepted, try not to be too disheartened, as quite a few applications are rejected first time around. You have the right to appeal at this stage and you can get the decision overturned. It is worth hiring a disability lawyer from a reputable firm such as DarrasLaw to help with your appeal.
Wellness Advice At Your Fingertips
So there you have a complete guide on how to apply for disability. It might seem daunting at first, but it is a pretty straightforward process.
Make sure you get all documents ready before you apply, in order to speed up the process. And never be afraid to ask for help from your doctor or from a lawyer.
If you found this guide useful, then why not check out some of my other articles on wellness.