There's two kinds of benefits available for those in the St. Louis, MO area: Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income. Social Security Disability is paid to handicapped workers, and in some cases their dependents, in accordance with the cash paid into the Social Security system by the disabled individual. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is paid to disabled people that have little or no work history dependent on financial need.
Are you currently entitled to disability benefits from SSA?
If you've an ailment or injury which has prevented you from doing work for twelve months or is anticipated to prevent you from working for twelve months or lead to your death, then you may qualify to apply for Social Security Disability benefits or SSI.
Why should you apply for disability benefits?
If you are found disabled:
• You will be qualified to receive Medicare health insurance or Medicaid dependent upon the kind of Social Security benefit
• You may receive cost of living increases each year to your monthly disability benefit
• You may possibly benefit from tax advantages or receive your benefits tax free
• You might shield any future Social Security benefits (Retirement or Survivors benefits, if eligible)
• You may be qualified to receive work incentives or vocational rehabilitation programs to assist you in returning to work
• Your spouse or children may be eligible for benefits on your record
How exactly does SSA determine disability?
Disability is determined through a procedure called Sequential Evaluation, which is outlined below:
• Are you working? If you are and your wages are more than nine hundred dollars monthly you generally cannot be deemed disabled. If you haven't been working, SSA continues on to the following question.
• Is the condition “Severe”? Your condition will have to interfere with basic occupational activities for your claim to be reviewed. If it doesn't, SSA won't find you disabled. If it does, SSA will move to the next question.
• Is your condition in the list of disabling impairments? The SSA regulations list impairments for every of the major body systems that are so severe they automatically mean you are disabled. If your condition is not in the list, SSA will have to decide if it is of identical severity to an impairment on the list. If it is, SSA will find you disabled. If it isn't, SSA will go on to the next thing.
• Are you able to carry out the work you did in the past? If your condition is serious, but not at the same or equal extent as a condition on the list, then SSA must decide if it impedes your capability to do the work you did before. If it does not, your claim is going to be refused. If it does, SSA will go on to the next step.
• Could you perform any other type of employment? If you can't perform the work you did in the past, SSA decides if you are able to fully adjust to other work. SSA looks at your medical ailments, how old you are, education, prior work experience and any transferable expertise you might have. If you fail to adapt to other work, your claim will be approved. If you can, your claim will be turned down.
If you're in Gasconade, Ste. Genevieve, St. Francois, St Louis, or St. Charles county and you believe you may be eligible for disability, think about calling up the law offices of Kassin and Carrow and having a totally free appointment.
