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As an American, you were promised that if you worked hard and paid your taxes, you would be taken care of if you ever suffered an injury or illness that prevented you from earning a living.
Some people feel uncomfortable applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, because they’re independent-minded and believe that they should be able to take care of themselves. Applying for SSDI benefits is not like asking for charity — it’s asking the government to pay something they owe you.
You Earned It
The core of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a simple deal: You pay into it via a payroll tax throughout your working life. If you ever lose your ability to earn a living because of an injury or illness, SSDI pays you a monthly insurance benefit for as long as the disability lasts.
Added to the Social Security Administration in 1956, SSDI is funded by a payroll tax on the paychecks of every single working American employee — including you. You have been paying into this program your entire working life.
The very reason SSDI exists is to help individuals and families, who can no longer earn a living, survive financially. And, it is funded by those very same individuals. Applying for SSDI is not asking for a handout, it is asking for something you earned.
So if you need it, go after it.
Don’t Be Discouraged
Getting these benefits can be a complex process.
To start with, there is a good chance your application will be rejected. It’s hard to find conclusive numbers, but it is estimated that more than 60% of initial applications are denied. Rejected applicants have the right to file an appeal, but more than 85% of appeals are rejected as well.
It can also take a really long time to have your application processed, and even longer to get your appeal reviewed. According to USA Today, the average wait time for an appeal in 2018 was 540 days, and according to the Social Security Administration, that is lower than it used to be.
But don’t give up. You have the right to these benefits and there are ways to help you get it. Even if you’ve been rejected, or have been waiting forever for a decision, there is something you can do to possibly improve your chances — get help from an experienced attorney.
Don’t Be Afraid To Get Help
Many applications are rejected because of simple, preventable mistakes. A mistake like filling in the wrong information, not including the right documents, or missing a filing deadline can all result in a rejection.
The best way to prevent these mistakes is to have an experienced SSDI attorney look over your application before you send it. An attorney will be able to check the application for mistakes, and help guide you through the process in order to improve your chances of success.
Even if your application has already been rejected, there is still a lot an SSDI attorney can do for you. The appeals process is complex, and having someone at your side who knows how to navigate it can meaningfully improve your odds.
Best of all, it doesn’t have to cost you anything to get started. Beginning with a free, no-obligation consultation, Morgan & Morgan SSDI attorneys can fight on your behalf without you paying a dollar up front. In fact, you only pay if we win for you.
So don’t give up, and don’t hesitate to start fighting for what you deserve. Call us today for a free consultation.