The Social Security Disability Application Process

By Author: abner hardens
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Commonly asked Social Security Disability / SSI questions.
There are often basic questions about Social Security Disability benefits, so we have decided to answer just a few of them here.
Q 1. What does it cost to hire an attorney for my SSD / SSI claim?
A 1. Nothing. Most law firms do all SSD cases on a contingency basis. Lawyers take a percentage or pre-determined amount (determined under Statutes) of the back-pay you are awarded. If you are not granted SSD benefits, then we do not collect anything.
Q 2. Is there a difference between SSD and SSI benefits?
A 2. Yes. SSI is usually reserved for those individuals with very low incomes, and/or those that have not worked long enough in order to earn SSD benefits.
Q 3. How do I prove SSD eligibility if I do not have the money to visit a doctor?
A 3. This is one of the hardest issues for SSD applicants. On the one hand they are not working because they are disabled, and therefore, they do not have health insurance that allows them to visit a doctor. On the other hand, it is harder to prove SSD eligibility without documentation from treating ...
... physicians. Those that believe that they are eligible for SSD benefits ought to see a doctor as much as they can in order to build the strongest case. However, if you previously worked and had health insurance which allowed you to visit a doctor, attorneys can use those records to prove your case.
Q 4. How long does it take to start receiving my benefits?
A 4. This is the hardest part for many applicants to understand. The SS offices are very overworked and any given case can take 1-2 years. However, if you never start the process, you will never receive benefits. it is better to get benefits in 1-2 years than not at all.
Q 5. Do I have to be completely disabled in order to receive SSD benefits?
A 5. NO and YES. No, you do not have to be completely disabled in the ordinary sense of that word. Meaning, you do not have to be bed-ridden or need round-the-clock assistance. However, you need to be completely disabled as that term is used in the federal Statutes. The definition in the federal statutes is much more broad and the vast majority of the people who can do normal daily activities are eligible for SSD benefits.
We hope this answers some basic questions for now.

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