Are Social Security Disability Benefits for You?

As they age, many people in the United States start thinking about how are they going to live after they retire. In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt started what is known as the Social Security Act, which today encompasses both social welfare programs and social insurance programs. These include Federal Retirement services and disability insurance, benefits for the unemployed, short term help for families in need, old age health care, medical assistance programs for states, children's health insurance, and supplemental income. The funding for these programs usually comes out of a worker's paycheck each month.

In order for you to qualify for social security disability benefits, you must meet certain requirements that have been set up by the Social Security Administration. You must have proof of your permanent disability or that your condition has lasted a considerable amount of time or is expected to last at least one year longer. You must also have your medical records and other medical paperwork up to date when you apply to show your disability. Then the SSA will decide whether your claim is legitimate and that you should receive the benefits. The disability that you claim must hinder you from performing daily tasks and prevent you from getting a job or furthering your education.

If you think you may qualify you need to submit an application to a Social Security office. This can be done in person, over the internet, or over the phone. If you have all the proper documents in order you should receive a response in about five months indicating whether you get approved or denied. If you are approved you will start receiving payments soon afterward, sometimes even with back pay if the approval process takes longer than expected.

If you don't agree with the decision that the Social Security Administration has come to, you can appeal the claim. Most claims will be denied the first time around because the less people that do get approved saves the government money. It sometimes does not matter how much documentation or how strong a case you may have and the appeals process may take several months. If your claim is denied, you have 60 days to begin the appeals process. If you decide to appeal, your claim will enter what is called the Reconsideration stage. If it is still rejected, you can then go before the Administrative Law Judge. Your final opportunity and best way to have your social security disability case heard is at the hearing stage where you may want to hire a disability attorney to advocate for you.

Whatever you do, don't give up on your disability. If you believe that you truly need the benefits then keep appealing until you have reached the end of the process.