Social Security Disability Applications and Reports

What is the difference between the Social Security Disability application and the disability report?

The disability application is to receive Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income benefits.  The disability report provides the Social Security Administration with information regarding your current medical condition.  You need to complete a disability application, a disability report and an authorization release form in order to start your application process for benefits.

If you have been turned down for disability benefits and require help, contact Thomas J. Ueberschaer, P.A.

Can children with disabilities be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

Children younger than age 18  or adults who became disabled in childhood may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments.  If eligible, the benefit will be paid on a parent’s Social Security earnings record.

SSI traditionally makes monthly payments who have low income and limited resources and who are either 65 years of age or older, blind or disabled.  For children younger than 18 years of age to be considered for SSI payments, they must meet Social Security’s definition of disabled and their income as well as their household family’s income must fall within certain limits.  The amount of the SSI payment depends on the child’s state of residence since the states contribute to SSI payments.

In order for your child to be considered disabled and therefore eligible for SSI, he/she must meet all of the following requirements:

• the child must not be working and earning more than $1,010 a month in 2012
• the child must have a physical or mental condition, or a combination of conditions that results in “marked and severe functional limitations.”   In other words, the child’s activities must be severely limited as a result of their condition
• the child’s condition must have been disabling or expected to be disabling for at least 12 continuous months; or must be expected to result in death.

If you believe your child qualifies for SSI, you must apply for benefits with the Social Security Administration.  You must be able to provide detailed information regarding your child’s conditions including medical and school records.  The Disability Determination Services in your state will review your application to deem eligibility.  This process may take several months.  If your application is denied but you feel your child has a legitimate disability, you may need help with your denied claim.  Our skilled attorneys may be able to determine that your disability benefits were wrongfully denied.  We can meet you at your earliest convenience to hear your story and evaluate your case.  Call Thomas J. Ueberschaer, P.A. at 877-313-6880.  Your first consultation with us is always free of charge.

How long can you receive SSDI or SSI benefits?

The approval process for social security disability or social security indemnity benefits can be as little as a few months to two to three years.  The process may also end with a request for a hearing with an attorney.  Once someone is approved, he/she can receive disability benefits indefinitely, depending on a few factors.  Factors that affect an individuals’ entitlement to SSDI or SSI benefits include medical improvement and work ability.

A beneficiary will fall under a periodic review to determine if their medical condition has improved.  This usually occurs every three to seven years.  If there have been no changes in the medical condition, the benefits will continue unchanged and is referred to as a medical continuance.  Most times medical continuances are the norm for individuals.  This may be because of the rigorous examination period for initial approval of a disability status.

A work activity review will usually be conducted at the same time as the medical review.  A work review may also be conducted if  the Social Security Administration receives new information about a claimant’s work earnings.

Social security disability allowances to expand

In April, the Social Security Administration announced plans to add 52 new compassionate allowances conditions to the growing list of severe medical conditions that qualify for expedited medical decisions.

The new conditions include many neurological disorders, cancers and rare diseases. They will go into effect in August.

The compassionate allowances initiative is a way to quickly identify illnesses and other medical conditions that qualify as “disabled” based on minimal medical information and helps Social Security administrators to quickly identify the most obviously disabled individuals for allowances based on objective medical information that we can obtain quickly.

The announcement of the 52 new conditions will increase the total number of compassionate allowances conditions to 165.

That list continues to grow as Social Security, the National Institutes of Health, and a number of patient organizations help identify new conditions that clearly warrant quick approvals.

Click this link for more information.

Source: The Gainesville Sun, “Disability allowances to expand”, Kay Louder, June 20, 2012

What’s the difference between SSDI and SSI?

Q. Can you explain how Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is different from Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

A. That’s an important question. The initials of the programs are so similar that it’s easy to confuse the two.

SSDI is an earned benefit that focuses on physical and mental impairments that are severe enough to prevent people from engaging in their normal occupations or any other work. Their impairment must be expected to last for at least 12 months or to end in death.

How to Apply

• To apply for SSDI, visit your local Social Security office, call 1-800-772-1213 or fill out the forms online at this SSDI Web page or click on this link.

• To apply for SSI, go to your local Social Security office, call 1-800-772-1213 or fill out the forms online at this SSI Web page or click on this link.

SSDI benefits can be paid to blind or disabled workers, and like Social Security retirement benefits, to their children, to their widows or widowers, and to adults who haven’t worked but have been disabled since childhood.

Getting your estimated Social Security benefits statement online

Social Security has gone digital. The federal retirement program, which last year stopped mailing out estimated benefit statements to everyone who has paid into the system, launched an Internet tool this month that can be used to view several aspects of your personal status. Here’s how to use the online tool.

Sign up: Go to http://www.ssa.gov/mystatement to create your online account. You must have a Social Security number, email address and U.S. mailing address, and be at least 18. Create a user name and password (save them someplace safe), and set up three security questions.

Insight: Social Security

Reblogged from Pensacola Personal Injury Blog | UAskTom:

Disability is something most people do not like to think about.

But if you’re not able to work because you have a medical condition that is expected to last at least one year or result in death, you may be able to get Social Security disability benefits. Here’s what you need to know.

You should apply for disability benefits as soon as you become disabled.

Read more… 297 more words

Review of Social Security Disability Applications

Reblogged from Pensacola Personal Injury Blog | UAskTom:

Q: Who decides whether I can get disability benefits?

A: First, Social Security will review your application to make sure you meet the basic eligibility requirements for disability benefits. We will check whether you worked enough years to qualify. Also, we will evaluate any current work.

If you meet these requirements, we will send your application to the Disability Determination Services office.

Read more… 435 more words

Thomas J. Ueberschaer, P.A. – Social Security Disability Attorney

Why Were Your Social Security Disability Benefits Denied?

Have you been unable to convince Social Security officials that you have a legitimate disability, for which you should be receiving benefits? Do you need help with a denied claim?

The experienced northwest Florida law firm of Thomas J. Ueberschaer, P.A., has been committed to justice for injured people and their families since its founding in the early 1990s. We are considered one of the premier social security disability and personal injury law firms in the region.

If we determine that your disability benefits were wrongfully denied, we will work hard to make things right for you. Our skilled lawyers ask the questions that clients don’t know to ask. We approach Social Security Disability cases from angles that most applicants didn’t know were available.

When your legitimate disability is going unrecognized by the government, and your application for benefits is denied, contact our Pensacola Social Security Disability attorneys. We can meet with you at your earliest convenience to hear your story and evaluate your case. Call now, toll free at 877-313-6880. Your first consultation with us is always free of charge.

Disability Lawyers Working for Your Florida Family

In Social Security Disability cases, our fees are set by the federal government. We don’t receive any compensation unless we are able to help you recover past due benefits.

Whether you need help with your initial application for benefits or appealing denied benefits, we can help you. We represent clients seeking Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) at every stage in the process. If you were injured in a work accident, we can also help you with your workers’ compensation claim to help you get the full compensation you need and deserve after a work injury.

If you decide to let us help you pursue disability benefits, we will:

• Thoroughly review your health and legal standing
• Determine your Social Security Disability eligibility
• Investigate the details of your case
• Assist you in proper application procedures
• Represent you in Social Security appeals and administrative hearings

Need more information about SSDI or SSI benefits and claims? “Ask Tom“ during your free consultation with an attorney at Thomas J. Ueberschaer, P.A.

Contact a Gulf Breeze Supplemental Security Income Attorney

If your disability prevents you from travelling to us, we can come to you. Contact our offices in Pensacola or Panama City today to arrange for a free consultation. Call us at 877-313-6880.