Am I required to wait a certain amount of time before I’m allowed to file for Social Security disability benefits?

If you are over the age of 62 or disabled, there is no particular wait period to file for Social Security, but there are a minimum number of “work credits” required to be eligible.

The real wait time comes after the application. Generally, if your application for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is approved, you must wait five months before you can receive your first SSDI benefit payment. This means you would receive your first payment in the sixth full month after the date on which it is determined that your disability began.

Considering all of this, the answer to the question is that you shouldn’t wait at all. If you are disabled and are owed disability benefits, act now. Contact Morgan & Morgan for more information.

What Are the Odds of Being Approved for Social Security Disability Benefits?

Although you may believe that you have all of the information gathered to make a strong case to recover Social Security Disability benefits, you may have questions about your likelihood of being approved. Research shows that more than 60% of disability applications are not approved at the first stage. This is a leading reason why hiring attorneys such as Morgan & Morgan can help you with this process because you may be able to recover compensation with the help of an attorney. 

An attorney may be able to help you fight back on your behalf when you believe that you are entitled to compensation in the form of social security disability benefits. The sooner that you file for Social Security Disability benefits, the easier it will be to proceed through this legal process and understand the elements that are at play. With so much to consider, it is important to work with a qualified attorney during this process, because some of the most common reasons that the Social Security Administration denies claims for disability benefits include not being regularly treated by a physician, an incomplete application, improper medical evidence of a disabling condition or the fact that the claimant is currently working in another position.

Can an Attorney Help Me at Stages Other Than a Hearing?

You may be wondering about whether or not you should retain an attorney for Social Security Disability Benefits applications beyond the level of a hearing. An attorney can be a very helpful advocate to have on your side throughout the entire claims process. Your attorney can help you with the initial filing of a claim for disability, which can have a significant impact on your case. Furthermore, your lawyer will already be familiar with the process if your initial claim is denied. During this process, your evidence and claim are considered again in the appeals phase and your attorney will be familiar with how best to proceed forward.

How Should I Know If It's Time to Apply for Disability Benefits?

If you are currently unable to work as a result of a medical condition and are expected to be out of work for a minimum of a year, now is the right time to file for disability benefits. Your disability benefits are administered through the Social Security Administration. You must meet specific criteria. It can take a few months to move through the claims procedure and get disability benefits. It is always best to apply for disability benefits with the help of a lawyer such as those working at Morgan & Morgan. 

When you open a claim for disability benefits, most people get denied on the initial review. Make sure that your claim is filed as soon as possible to put you in the best position to get the benefits that you need so you can pay your bills and continue to get your underlying condition treated.

How Long Do I Need to Hold Down a Job to Qualify for Disability Benefits?

The amount of years that a person has worked is crucial for qualifying for disability benefits and this depends on your age. Social security totals your work history in terms of work credits. You'd usually need to have worked five out of the last 10 years to have enough work credits to acquire these social security disability income benefits. You also need to have 20 of those work credits earned in the last 10 years. You can use online calculators to determine whether or not you have achieved enough work credits to be able to open applications.

If I Have a New Medical Condition, Can I Get Benefits for Multiple Illnesses?

Your primary source of income may be the benefits from the Social Security Administration if you're not able to work because of a medical condition. Whether or not you have multiple medical conditions or one single impairment is the same for the purposes of Social Security Disability. This is because Social Security disability benefits reviewers look at whether or not you are unable to work for a year or more or have already been unable to work for a year or more. 

Multiple medical conditions can also become part of your continuing eligibility reviews, however. Your review schedule may be every 12 or 18 months or can go as long as three years. The development of a new impairment, however, can potentially change the schedule that the Social Security Administration uses to review your benefits.

What If My Social Security Application Was Denied?

If you’ve been denied the benefits that you have a right to, contact Morgan & Morgan for a free, no-obligation case evaluation to recover the compensation that you need and deserve. We can help you get back on track to move forward with your life.

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