What You Should Know Before You Apply for Social Security Disability Benefits

  Applying and receiving social security disability benefits can be a complex and time consuming process that often requires the professional services of a qualified social security disability attorney . If you are looking into getting assistance for your disability, here is what you should know before you apply for social security disability benefits . The first thing you should know is that you will be interviewed, either in person at your local social security office or by phone, and the entire process can take up to an hour. Fortunately, by completing both your benefits application and disability report online you can cut that interview time by nearly 50%. However, the very best way to cut down on your time spent applying for social security disability benefits is to seek out a professional social security disability attorney you can trust to walk you through the process. Once you’ve begun the application process, your eligibility for social security disability benefits will be determined. According to the Social Security Administration , in order to be considered disabled you must fall within its strict definition. You can only be considered disabled if you cannot work due to compromising medical conditions or if those conditions “have lasted, or are expected to last, at least one year, or be expected to result in your death.”  You must be considered disabled by this definition to receive any social security disability benefits , and just because your doctor says you are disabled does not mean you will qualify. If you think that you qualify but are struggling to receive your benefits, you need to contact a social security disability attorney right away. In most cases it may take anywhere from three to five months to hear back about the status of your benefits, depending on how long it takes to sift through your medical records and other related evidence. A state agency will be tasked with contacting your physicians, accessing your medical records, and in some cases requiring you to succumb to special examinations or tests to confirm your disability. Once you are deemed officially disabled by the state agency in charge of your case, you will be able to benefit from one of the two applicable programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Overall, when you apply for social security disability benefits you need to know what you’re getting yourself into and how to make the process work for you. The best decision you can make to ensure that you get the benefits you deserve in a timely manner is to reach out to a reputable social security disability attorney , like the ones at Harris Law , today. Federal laws control all attorney representation fees for cases involving social security disability benefit acquisition across the United States. If and once the Social Security Administration approves your claim, you will receive a check for retroactive benefits, as well as a check to cover all the time your case spent pending in the Administration. After your claim is approved, the Social Security Administration will take 25% or $6,000.00 from your (or your family member’s) retroactive check and send it directly to your attorney to cover the cost of representation. If you’re in need of a legal consultation, call Harris Law today at 231.347.4444 or fill out the free consultation form in the sidebar to schedule your free personal consultation.