What Does "Social Security Disability" Mean?

The definition of disability under Social Security differs from other programs. Social Security pays just for total disability. No benefits are payable for limited impairment or even for temporary disability.

"Disability" under Social Security is dependent on your inability to work. They consider you disabled under Social Security rules if:
•   You can't do work which you did before;
•   We determine that you can't adjust to other work due to your medical condition(s); and
•   Your disability has lasted or is anticipated to last for around one year or to result in death.

This is a rigid definition of disability. Social Security program rules assume that working families get access to other resources to give support during periods of short-term disabilities, including workers' compensation, insurance, savings and investments.

Along with meeting our definition of disability, you need to have worked long enough--and recently enough--under Social Security to be eligible for disability benefits.

Social Security work credits are derived from your total yearly wages or self-employment income. You can make as much as four credits annually.

The amount required for a credit changes from year to year. In 2014, for instance, you earn one credit for every $1,200 of wages or self-employment income. When you have earned $4,800, you have made your four credits for the year.

The number of work credits you will need to be eligible for disability benefits will depend on your age whenever you came to be disabled. Usually, you'll need forty credits, twenty of which were earned in the past decade ending with the year you become impaired. But, younger workers may be considered with less credits.

Having the appropriate attorney can greatly expedite the process of applying for disability. Kassin and Carrow would be honored to help you as you seek to get social security disability benefits. If you live in or near St. Louis or the Metro East Illinois area, contact them today.

Information That You Need To Apply For Disability

We advise that you have the following information close at hand. It'll make finishing the application forms a lot easier for your attorney.

Information About You 

•   Your date and place of birth as well as your Social Security number
•   The name, Social Security number and date of birth or age of your present husband or wife and any previous spouse. It's also wise to know the dates and places of marriage and dates of divorce or death (if applicable)
•   Names and dates of birth of your minor kids
•   Your lender or other financial institution's Routing Transit Number and also the account number, if you would like the benefits to be electronically deposited

Information Regarding Your Medical Condition

•   Name, phone number and address of somebody you'd like to have contacted that knows of your health conditions and that can assist with your application process
•   Comprehensive information regarding your medical ailments, injuries or conditions:
   Names, addresses, phone numbers, patient identification numbers and dates of treatment for every doctor, hospital, and clinic;
   Names of medications you're taking and who administered them; and
   Names and dates of medical tests you've had and who sent you for them.

Information Regarding Your Livelihood

•   The money earned this past year and this present year
•   The address and name of your employer(s) for this year and last year
•   A copy of your Social Security Statement
•   The starting and closing dates of any active U.S. military service that you had prior to 1968
•   A summary of the jobs (as much as five) that you had in the fifteen years prior to becoming unable to work and the dates you worked at those jobs

•   Information about workers' compensation, black lung, and similar benefits you filed, or plan to apply for. These benefits can:
   Be short-term or long-term in nature;
   Include annuities and lump sum transfers that you got in the past;
   Be paid from your employer or your employer's insurance company, private agencies, or Federal, State or any other government or public agencies; and
   Be known as:
1.   Workers' Compensation;
2.   Black Lung Benefits;
3.   Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation;
4.   Civil Service (Disability) Retirement;
5.   Federal Employees' Retirement;
6.   Federal Employees' Compensation;
7.   State or local government disability insurance benefits; or
8.   Disability benefits from the armed forces (Including military retirement pensions based on disability but not Veterans' Administration (VA) benefits.)

Applying for disability can be a tough task to take on. Call the offices of Kassin And Carrow today at 636-936-8300 or visit their website at www.kassincarrow.com. They will work hard to ensure that you get the disability benefits that you deserve.

What's The Best Time To Apply For Disability Benefits Through Social Security?

It is vitally important that you apply for disability benefits as soon as possible when you become disabled. It can take a very long time to process an application for disability benefits ( usually around three to five months). To submit an application for disability benefits, you will want to complete an application for Social Security benefits. By hiring an attorney and compiling some information, it is possible to expedite the process. The information that will be needed includes:


•   Your Social Security number
•   Your birth or baptismal certificate
•   Names, addresses and phone numbers of the doctors, caseworkers, hospitals and clinics that took care of you and dates of your visits
•   Names and dosage of all the medicine you take
•   Medical records from your doctors, therapists, hospitals, clinics and caseworkers that you already have in your possession
•   Laboratory and test results
•   A summary of where you worked and the kind of work you did
•   A copy of your most recent W-2 Form (Wage and Tax Statement) or, if you are self-employed, your federal tax return for the past year.

On top of the basic application for disability benefits, there's some other forms you will need to fill out that a lawyer can help you with. One form gathers information on your medical condition and how it affects your ability to work. Other forms give doctors, hospitals and other health care professionals who've treated you permission to send out information about your medical condition. Don't delay in applying for benefits!

If you think that you may qualify, contact Kassin and Carrow today so that you can get the benefits that you deserve fast!

The Basics Of Disability Benefits

Disability is one thing people don't like to contemplate. However the probability that you'll become disabled likely are higher than you know. Research has revealed that a twenty year old worker has a twenty-five percent chance of being disabled before achieving full retirement age. This page offers fundamental information on Social Security disability benefits and is not meant to resolve all issues. For more specified information regarding your circumstances, you should talk with an expert, like those at Kassin and Carrow. The government pays disability benefits with two programs: the Social Security disability insurance program and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.

Social Security offers benefits to individuals who can't work having had a medical problem that's expected to last no less than one year or result in death. Federal law demands this strict definition of disability. While many programs give money to those with partial disability or short-term disability, Social Security doesn't. Certain family members of disabled workers also can get money from Social Security.

To find out more about disability benefits and to find out if you qualify, visit our website today. You have nothing to lose and so much to gain!

SSI

If you have a disability, you could be eligible for a program handled by the Social Security Administration. SSI benefits are paid through the United States Treasury general funds and are typically restricted to those that have low income and few resources.

Children that are blind or disabled may also receive SSI benefits.  The standard level of benefits are identical across the country, however, many states will add money to the basic benefit.  At Kassin & Carrow, we want to enable you to obtain the maximum benefit possible. 

Receiving SSI will depend on things like your earnings and resources.  Wages, Social Security benefits and pensions all count as earnings.  Furthermore, food and shelter benefits may count as earnings. If you're married, a part of your spouse's earnings and resources may be considered. If you're a student, a number of the wages and/or scholarships may not count.

If you're blind, Social Security doesn't count wages that you apply to work expenses.  For instance - making use of wages to cover transportation to work and back aren't looked at as income. Also, some of the income you use for training or buying items required to work might not count.

With regards to resources, or items that you possess, Social Security will look at things such as real estate, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and cash.  If your resources are worth no more than $2,000, you might be capable of getting SSI.  For couples, the resources can be worth a maximum of $3,000.
Social Security does not count everything you possess.

Items that commonly are not considered are:

•   Life insurance policies with face value lower than or equivalent to $1,500
•   Your vehicle in most instances
•   Burial plots for  both you and members of your immediate family
•   Burial funds as much as $1,500 for yourself and $1,500 for your spouse
•   Your residential home you reside in as well as the property it's on
You might also be eligible for SSI benefits:
•   If you are living in a public institute while going to authorized job or educational training
•   If you reside in a community emergency shelter allocated for the homeless
•   If you reside in a private or public institution and over fifty percent of the expense of your care is paid by Medicaid
•   If you are living in a public community residence serving a maximum of sixteen people
Whenever we formally make an application for benefits and to process your application quickly, we'll require:
•   Your Social Security number
•   Information about your house - mortgage, lease, and landlord's name
•   Birth record or other proof or your age
•   Payroll stubs, insurance policies, bank statements/records, and additional information regarding income and resources
•   We'll have to have the names, address, and phone number of physicians, hospitals, and clinics that have treated you
•   Proof of citizenship in the United States or qualified noncitizen status
Kassin & Carrow is here to help you each step of the way. Keep in mind, you won't ever pay a fee unless we win your case.

What if I am Over the Age of Fifty?

If you're between the ages of 50 and 55:

There's specific guidelines for those age fifty and older from which you can benefit. These guidelines can make it simpler to get approval of your Social Security disability benefits.

For those who have difficulty and limits in your capability to stand or walk, or other health problems which affect your neck, back, ankles, knees, feet and legs - these could make your acceptance more workable.

Other health conditions like diabetes, heart or lung problems, or arthritis might enhance your qualifications for disability benefits.  This is especially valid if your previous employment has called for you to be on your feet, walking or standing, for the majority of your work day. Whether or not your past employment wasn't regarded as being physically challenging, you might still reap the benefits of a number of the rules which are available for those older than fifty years of age.

If you're between the ages of fifty-five and sixty:

If you're over age fifty-five and have health problems which are preventing  you from doing your prior occupation, there are other special rules that could apply to you. Should your health conditions stop you from doing a moderate level of lifting things over twenty pounds frequently, your qualification as a disability candidate is much better.

If you're age sixty and over:

When you are age 60 and older, the policies for disability end up being more to your advantage. Your disability benefit approval will most likely enable you to obtain your full Social Security retirement that you'd typically obtain around age sixty-six, only earlier. Once you reach age sixty-six, you can draw your whole retirement benefit for the rest of your life.

Appealing A Decision

If you've already been denied a claim by the Social Security Administration, we're able to help you with the appeals process. There is a four-step process the government uses during the appeal. Each step has to be completed in order, and we'll help you each step of the way.

1.   Reconsideration - Once you send in the form, your case is given to the State Disability Determination Services office. There, someone besides the initial reviewer will take a look at your medical records and make a new determination concerning your disability.

2.   Hearing  - If the reconsideration is rejected, the next phase is for us to submit a request to the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review. At this point, you could meet personally with the judge. After a meeting, the judge will tell you in writing the decision about your case.

3.   Appeals Council Review - The third step is very similar to the hearing. Your request will once again be sent to the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review. Someone in that office will again take a look at your medical records and notify you in writing of the decision on your case.

4.   District Court Case - At this final level of appeal, you must have an attorney. Your case must be filed against Social Security in a District Court. From here, your case will be heard by a district court judge, who'll notify you in writing of the final decision concerning your case.