Should I Apply Online for Social Security Disability Benefits?
You may do a lot of things online: check the weather; shop for deals; research medical conditions. Why not apply on your own for disability benefits online too? It may seem simple enough to click through the online Social Security Benefit Application, fill in the answers, and then hit “send.”
But there’s nothing simple about SSA’s questions.
An Experienced Disability Expert Knows the Reasons Behind Every SSA Question
How would you answer: “What are the illnesses, injuries or conditions that limit your ability to work?” Or, “How do your illnesses, injuries or conditions limit your ability to work? You may only be thinking about the most severe aspects of your condition if you were answering these questions on your own. But there could be other symptoms that you wouldn’t necessarily consider important. A disability expert, such as a Freedom Disability Advocate, would know how to explain why you can’t work.
After listing your work history how would you describe the job you did the longest? How would you answer; “What did you do all day?” How you answer this question could send SSA a conflicting message that maybe you can work. A Freedom Disability Advocate knows why SSA is interested in your work experience.
At first glance, SSA’s questions may seem straight forward. The answers are not. Each one is like applying a layer of paint to your disability picture. You want SSA to clearly see how your condition impacts your daily life. A Freedom Disability Advocate knows what SSA is looking for, and how best to create that picture. Why wouldn’t you want the guidance and insight of an experienced disability expert to help you?
What Happens After You Hit “Send”
If you choose to submit an initial online application to SSA on your own, the first thing SSA will do is make sure that you are insured for disability benefits. If you meet their technical disability eligibility requirements, your application will be sent to a Disability Determination Services (DDS) office in your state where a review of your information will lead to a decision on whether or not SSA thinks your condition is disabling enough to keep you from working.
Your application will be reviewed using a strict adjudication process. If it is not absolutely clear to the DDS examiner that your medical condition is preventing you from working, according to their strict rules, you will be denied.
At this point, it is strongly advised that you get a Freedom Disability Advocate to analyze the reasons why SSA denied your application in order to build a strong appeal of SSA’s decision. SSA denies nearly 65 percent of first-time applications. That’s the stark truth. But, close to 90 percent of cases get approved at the hearing level of the appeals process.
Should your initial application still get denied, your Advocate will prepare you for the challenges of SSA’s rigorous appeals process on through to getting approved.
Why Risk it Alone
On the SSA Web site, it says that it will take 10 to 30 minutes to “read the instructions, gather the facts, and answer the questions.” Sounds quick and easy – but many of our disability claimants who did try to apply on their own online have said that the questions are confusing, or hard to understand. Some said their medical condition made it hard for them to focus or sit too long in front of the computer. Some admitted that it would have taken them days to complete the online application on their own. They appreciated spending about an hour on the phone with their Freedom Disability Advocate, who filled out the online application for them. The burden of creating a convincing application was taken off their shoulders.
The SSA Web site is set up to help make the process seem easy. But getting approved is far from it. “Gathering the facts” about yourself and “answering the questions” with enough detail is crucial for building a strong application. You want to do it right. And you have to do it right – from the very beginning of the process.
Why navigate the SSA disability system alone when you can get the experts at Freedom Disability to do it for you?
Contact Freedom Disability for a free, no-obligation eligibility evaluation to make sure you qualify. And share this article with anyone who is weighing their application options.
I have applied for SSDI and was denied as well as my reconsideration in Sept 2010. I will be re-applying when I find a lawyer. I receive a disability retirement from the Federals since 1986. I have paid into FICA from 1968-1983 and 1990-April 2010. I became totally disabled in April 2010. My question is can I still receive SSDI with my Fed retirement (abt $1100 a month)? Will my SSDI be reduced because of my retirement pay?
Ken,
If you meet SSA’s eligibility qualifications for disability you can get SSDI while receiivng disability from other private sources, such as a private insurance benefit or pension. These sources do not affect the amount of your SSDI benefit. However, public benefits, such as Workers Comp or civil service benefits, will. SSA caculates an offset amount for your SSDI benefits based on your average current earnings (ACE) before you became disabled. According to SSA, the total of your public disability benefits, including SSDI, cannot be more than 80 percent of what you earned before becoming disabled. You may find our article on the differences between SS retirement and disabliity benefits helpful. Also, if you have struggled on your own to get an approval for SSDI, perhaps you just need an expert advocate to help you. It may be worth a call in to 866-347-2910 to talk to one of our Eligiblity Consultants.
to received disability I suppose to be working more 40 hours and more?
Adrianna,
To be eligible for Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits you have to have a recent-enough work history to be insured for this benefit. It you’re 31 or older, this usually means you must have earned five years of work credits within the last ten years from when you became disabled. If you are presently working, you can’t earn more than substantial gainful activity, which is $1,000 a month. If you are, then this means to SSA that you are able to work and so you would not qualify for SSDI benefits. The application process for disability benefits is very complicated. If you think you need more guidance about it, I suggest calling in to talk to one of our Eligibility Consultants at 866-761-5942.
i am requesting a review for disability.
I have been out of work almost 2 yrs as of May 25th,2010….because of a knee injury.On August 25th,2010….I was terminated because I wasnt able to go back within Holiday Stationstores…..12 wk FMLA…thats all they allowed no matter how many yrs I had been working there…(going on 7 yrs it was)..I never had a chance to fight it because my manager called and told me I was terminated….I had long term ins. which I settled with for $17,000.00…..as my bills were way behind and thats up to the months they would of pd for anyway….I just took it for one lump sum..now my knee is still not right and I have having a hard time with the restrictions I have to find a job I can do….not sure what my next step should be….please advise…..
I was denied. Want to appeal it.
Hi Ruth,
At Freedom Disability, we provide assistance to those who have been denied Social Security Disability benefits, and are looking to appeal their decision. The first step is to get an evaluation from one of our eligibility consultants. When you call in you’ll be asked some questions about your condition and how it interferes with your ability to work. You’ll also be asked about your work history to help determine if you are insured for benefits, which you said you already are. This free consultation will also give you some guidance on what your next steps should be. I hope you’ll call us at 866-761-5942.
I was diagnosed in Nov 2007 with Multiple Sclerosis, and I also experience Anxiety, I currently take meds to control my pain and see a pain managment doctor. I applied for SSDI over year ago and was denied. I work at home online 15hrs a week at 8.50/hr its temp work. I have a child and worry i will never be able to take care of him with lack of steady income plus my health, can you help me?
My name is Esmeralda & I have type 1 diabetes, high blood pressure, & also know that their are other medical conditions that I have I have been taking pills & also insulin, but because I do not have insurance or any money to go to the doctor I have been trying my best to try to control my diabetes. Believe me it is hard to control my diabetes by my self. I have not work for over a year & I have applied for SSI but was denied because they said since my husband is working that I was not approved. I had explained to them that my husband had to work because if not who would not be able pay for our bills. I believe I do need help.
Hi Esmeralda,
Thanks for your comment. In order to qualify for SSDI benefits, your medical condition must be severe enough that it will prevent you from working work for at least one year. You also must have paid into the Social Security Disability system for at least 5 out of the last 10 years . If you feel you meet these requirements, I would recommend speaking to one of our Eligibility Consultants. This free consultation that will give you some more information on what your next steps should be. I hope you’ll call us at 866-761-5942.
i have filed for bankruptcy, can i still recieve social security disability? i do not live in the same state where your service is. How can you help me in another state?
I how has perioua injuries injueis but on may 7, 2013 I had a mvd and have to tears in my spine. they are notr previos injuries. In may 2011 I was injured on the job by they would fulfill doctors orders,so i had tro get an attny.I have injuries in previous years to myback but have not needed to seek medical help until the accident in septemberwhile comeing back from a drug test for a new job, I went to orination but I wouldnt be able to continue duries due to mva.
Lori,
Freedom Disability may be able to assist you. I would recommend speaking to one of our Eligibility Consultants. They will ask you a few questions regarding your current health conditions and past work history to determine your eligibility for our assistance. I hope you’ll give us a call at 866-761-5942. Good luck.
i have paper work not filled out. But I would like to see if i am able to get disability. I am unemployed and no guartee the job will be when release by doctor care. I pay for my son to be cared for my son who is a senior in ny school.I live in a mans house that i turn over my foods too and crive him to doctors as room and board.