Chronic and permanent medical conditions can prevent you from holding a job. To continue to fulfill your financial obligations, you may want to apply for Social Security disability benefits. However, the application process can be overwhelming, especially as you are not well. Thankfully, you don’t have to go through it alone. A Fayetteville social security disability attorney can help you build a benefit claim, collect the necessary evidence to support your claim, and submit your application time.
Determining if You are Eligible for Benefits
The Social Security Administration or SSA pays disability benefits to disabled employees. When your application is approved, you can get benefits including Medicare coverage and cash assistance. To be eligible for Social Security benefits, you need to have serious medical conditions, functional limitations that make it impossible for you to work for a minimum of twelve months, and sufficient work credits.
Work credits are accumulated through your previous earnings and your contributions to the SSA over the years. So, if are not employed or have been unemployed for a long time, you may not qualify for benefits. But you may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). You must consult with an attorney to know which option you should apply for.
What to Expect from the Application Process
To start a claim for benefits, you need to fill out paperwork. Do not think that this is a simple task you can do on your own. Regardless of how sick you may be, your condition doesn’t guarantee your approval. Indeed, a lot of applicants are denied when they first apply for disability benefits.
A disability attorney can help you gather documentation, fill out forms without missing any detail, and ensure you can present a compelling case. You must expect the SSA to examine your claim meticulously. And your attorney will ensure you can provide the agency with the evidence that is enough to convince the SSA that you deserve benefits.
The Appeal Process
A lot of disability applications are denied on the first try. But your attorney can help you appeal the denial. You only have sixty days to do this. Disability claims can be denied because of simple misunderstandings and mistakes. The SSA will check information regarding your work history, medical conditions, and functional limitations. As you prepare your claim with a disability or medical condition, you can easily make mistakes. Thankfully, an attorney can ensure you don’t miss out on even the dots and apostrophes.
