It’s no secret that applying for Social Security Disability benefits can be kind of complicated. Whether you’re thinking about applying or you’ve been denied, knowing some of the secrets of how SSDI and SSI work can only help you in your journey of being accepted and receiving the benefits you deserve.
To help you out, we’ve pulled together five extremely common questions about Social Security Disability to give you some insights on the process. Millions of Americans have asked these questions before—and chances are you’re wondering too . . .
1. Why was I denied disability benefits?
Unfortunately the Social Security Administration (SSA) denies 70 percent of all initial claims. The biggest reason you were probably denied is that you didn’t meet the SSA’s basic eligibility requirements. Your disability needs to be severe enough to prevent you from working for at least one year, and you need to be earning less than $1,130 a month to qualify. You also need to have worked a certain number of years for you came disabled and paid into the Social Security program to be eligible.
Aside from basic requirements, other common reasons for being denied are not following your doctor’s treatment for your condition, not cooperating with the SSA, the SSA not being able to contact you, being convicted of a crime, or committing fraud on your application. If none of these situations apply to you and you do believe you’re a legitimate case for disability benefits, do not give up or submit a brand new application! Instead contact the Social Security office to request an appeal.
2. What’s the best way to make sure my appeal gets approved?
First, find out exactly why you were denied. This will help you understand how to make the strongest case and increase your chances of being approved. Second, the absolute best thing you can do to get approved is hiring an attorney who specializes in disability law. A disability lawyer will know all the laws and all the tricks of getting you approved as quickly as possible. Also you won’t have to pay them anything until they win your case. Even then the final bill is very low for legal representation and will come directly out of your winnings for the case, not out of pocket.
3. How much will my disability benefits pay me?
This depends on how much you were making before you became disabled. The SSA uses a complicated formula to decide how much you’ll receive each month, but most people receive between $700 and $1,700 per month in disability benefits. Right now the maximum benefit amount is $2,639 per month, and with the average payment amount in 2016 being $1,166 per month.
4. How long does it take to get approved?
There isn’t a straightforward answer for this one since. Every disability case is different, but best case scenario, you can win your case within four to six months. Longer considerations can take one to two years, but it always helps speed up your case if you have professional representation. Also keep in mind that once you’ve won your case, you will receive a back pay check to cover the time you were waiting on your case. This is the biggest reason to appeal a denied claim: to save the original submission date of your application.
5. How long do benefits last? What do I have to do to keep getting them once I have them?
In a nutshell, your benefits will last as long as the SSA deems that you need them. Your case will be reviewed periodically to monitor any changes in your case. How often this happens depends on your condition. If medical improvement is possible or expected, your case will most likely be reviewed in three years or sooner. If medical improvement isn’t expected—like with Parkinson’s disease, blindness, or cerebral palsy—you may not be reviewed until seven years down the road.
Aside from your condition healing, there are a variety of things that can cause your disability payments to stop: if you decide to go back to work, if you start receiving free room and board from someone you know, serving a sentence in prison, or if you go above the SSA’s income or asset limits. Also if you reach retirement age, you will no longer be receiving disability checks. Instead your benefits will start coming from the Social Security retirement benefits program.