August 11, 2022
If you cannot work full-time due to a disability, you may be eligible for federal benefits that can help you cover your expenses. The Social Security Disability Benefits program helps to ensure that those who have paid into the program over time aren’t denied an adequate living allowance if they become suddenly disabled and are no longer able to work like they used to. Although not everyone qualifies for these benefits and the application process can be tough to navigate, it is worth your time to speak with an attorney about this opportunity if you may be eligible to collect this form of federal compensation. The strains impacting your family’s budget may be significantly reduced if you’re approved to receive SSD benefits.
Who Qualifies for Social Security Disability Benefits?
As an experienced Social Security disability lawyer – including those who practice at The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt – can explain in greater detail, the Social Security Disability benefits program is not the only federal form of compensation made available to individuals who cannot work due to physical and/or mental disabilities. As a result, you’ll want to speak with an attorney about whether you qualify for this form of compensation specifically before applying for benefits. You may or may not be eligible for this opportunity and you may or may not be eligible for alternative forms of disability-based compensation.
To qualify for SSD benefits, you’ll need to have worked a job covered by Social Security for a specific length of time and you must be diagnosed with a condition that meets the Social Security Administration’s definition of disability. The SSA doesn’t approve SSD benefits claims lightly, so you’ll need to be able to back up your diagnosis with significant documentation.
Do You Need a Lawyer to Apply for SSD Benefits?
While you don’t technically have to hire a lawyer to assist you in navigating the SSD benefits application process, enlisting legal help proactively is strongly advised. Why? The vast majority of initial SSD benefits applications are denied. This means that most people who submit applications for SSD benefits must wade through the appeals process if they have a hope of collecting any benefits to which they are entitled. Enlisting the support and guidance of a local attorney who devotes part of their legal practice to SSD benefits cases will better place you in a position to succeed on the merits of your application the first time you submit it.
Connect with a Knowledgeable SSD Attorney to Learn More
You may be tempted to complete the SSD benefits application process to save money. This is a completely understandable instinct. However, this is not a task in which pinching pennies upfront is likely the most responsible choice. Given the extraordinary fraction of first-time applications that are rejected, working with an attorney proactively will better ensure that you receive any benefits to which you are entitled in a timely fashion.