DOES SOCIAL SECURITY PAY SHORT TERM BENEFITS?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI for short) is a long term disability program sponsored by the US government. It is paid for by payroll deductions, called FICA tax.
What is meant by long term? It means a medical condition which has lasted, or is expected to last at least 12 straight months OR to end in death.
Impairments lasting less than 12 straight months are not covered under SSDI.
Do you have to wait 12 months to apply? No. This is a mistake. The medical condition you are claiming needs to the type of condition which normally lasts 12 months or more. You do not need to wait 12 months to apply.
For example, if you break your leg and your doctor advises you to be off work for 3 months, this is not covered under SSDI. However, if a person has a heart attack and the doctor says he can't work for at least a year or more, it would be a covered condition.
Is it easy to get approved? Frankly, no. It is difficult.
Social Security's definition of "disability" is very strict and narrow. And they are sticklers for proof. You need medical records and support from your doctor to prove the severity of your medical condition(s).
About 7 out of 10 applications are rejected initially because the claimant has not proven their case. These 7 denied applications need to go into appeal, where the chances of approval get better, especially with the help an attorney or advocate.
The good news: an attorney or advocate cannot charge you a fee until after your case is approved and after you have received a lump sum back payment.
For example: You receive a monthly check for $1,500 each month, and a back payment of $10,000. Your attorney's fee will be $2,500, deducted from the $10,000. So, you net $7,500 and all of the monthly payments.
If you need help with a disability claim in Alabama or Tennessee, please call us here at the Forsythe Firm. (256) 799-0297.
What is meant by long term? It means a medical condition which has lasted, or is expected to last at least 12 straight months OR to end in death.
Impairments lasting less than 12 straight months are not covered under SSDI.
Do you have to wait 12 months to apply? No. This is a mistake. The medical condition you are claiming needs to the type of condition which normally lasts 12 months or more. You do not need to wait 12 months to apply.
For example, if you break your leg and your doctor advises you to be off work for 3 months, this is not covered under SSDI. However, if a person has a heart attack and the doctor says he can't work for at least a year or more, it would be a covered condition.
Is it easy to get approved? Frankly, no. It is difficult.
Social Security's definition of "disability" is very strict and narrow. And they are sticklers for proof. You need medical records and support from your doctor to prove the severity of your medical condition(s).
About 7 out of 10 applications are rejected initially because the claimant has not proven their case. These 7 denied applications need to go into appeal, where the chances of approval get better, especially with the help an attorney or advocate.
The good news: an attorney or advocate cannot charge you a fee until after your case is approved and after you have received a lump sum back payment.
For example: You receive a monthly check for $1,500 each month, and a back payment of $10,000. Your attorney's fee will be $2,500, deducted from the $10,000. So, you net $7,500 and all of the monthly payments.
If you need help with a disability claim in Alabama or Tennessee, please call us here at the Forsythe Firm. (256) 799-0297.
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