The Social Security disability attorneys of Clements, Taylor, Butkovich & Cohen, L.P.A., Co. explain Social Security disability benefits you can expect to receive while you are recovering.
Access to Income during Your Recovery
Unless you’re employed in a dangerous line of work, you don’t often think about needing disability benefits; however, according to the Social Security Administration, a 20-year-old Cincinnati worker today has a three-in-ten chance of becoming disabled before they retire.
If you’re involved in a work-related accident or acquire an illness that leads to disability, you’ll need to identify all avenues through which you can pursue disability benefits to assist in providing necessary income to support you and your family.
The Social Security Administration provides disability benefits to those who qualify through Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. SSDI pays benefits to you and/or members of your family if you’ve met the appropriate work history criteria and have paid Social Security taxes. SSI pays benefits to individuals with serious financial need.
Before you apply to either program, it’s a good idea to find an experienced Social Security disability attorney to work with you. A personal injury lawyer who does workers compensation and is familiar with the required Social Security disability paperwork, timeframes, and filing process can improve your chances of receiving needed income. In 2004, the General Accounting Office (GAO) reported that 60% of all initial Social Security benefits requests were denied – you don’t want to be part of that 60%.
After your disability benefits request is submitted, the SSA will evaluate these conditions:
- Are you continuing to work?
- How “severe” is your medical condition? Does your condition limit your regular activity?
- Is your medical condition on the SSA “List of Impairments?”
- Can you do the work you did before?
- Can you do any other kind of work?
- What kind of medical treatment and tests have you received?
Once your Social Security benefits application has been reviewed and accepted by federal and Ohio state authorities, you’ll receive notification of the amount of your payment and when payments will begin. According to the law, your benefit payments can’t begin before the sixth month of disability.
In most cases, your disability income will continue as long as your disability continues and you’re unable to work. With today’s advances in rehabilitation techniques and medical technology, it’s unlikely that your benefits will continue indefinitely. You’ll be required to regularly provide information as part of your case review to determine if your condition has improved and if you’re able to work.
Submitting a Social Security disability claim requires planning and careful documentation. Before you send anything to the SSA, talk to a Cincinnati disability attorney about your particular situation. The social security disability attorneys at Clements, Taylor, Butkovich & Cohen, L.P.A., Co. will provide a complimentary consultation to advise you on the best way to request income during your disability.