Call a Disability Application Lawyer to Win with Your Social Security Disability Application
A Disability Application Lawyer can win your SSD and SSI claims at the initial step on the application. Most Claimants will not win on their application. Consequently, they will have to go through a very time consuming appeal process. A disability application lawyer from our office will strive to win your disability claim as quickly and painlessly as possible.
Before submitting a Social Security Disability application, you should speak with a top rated disability application lawyer. You should call Disability Application Lawyer Donald Peters for a Free Consultation and help with your Social Security Disability Application. While others call themselves “Top” or “Highest Rated” disability lawyers, Donald Peters actually has received the Highest A+ Rating obtainable from the Better Business Bureau. Social Security Judges have called Donald Peters the “most prepared” disability lawyer. His clients have enjoyed victories from application, disability hearings, Appeals Council, and all the way through the Federal Court level.
Do I need a Disability Application Lawyer to file my Social Security Disability Application for me?
The short answer is “no” you don’t need a disability application lawyer to file your Social Security Disability Application. If you can read and write, you are capable of completing a disability application yourself. There are, however, some pitfalls to avoid during the application process.
The disability application is actually very simple. Although you may wish to complete and file your application yourself, you should call a disability application lawyer for a Free Consultation. In doing so, you can avoid pitfalls and maximize your chances of winning on your application. You can speak with a disability application attorney at our office for free to properly complete your disability application. If you wish, we can file your Social Security Application for you to avoid costly mistakes.
Should I file a SSDI or SSI application, or both?
There are 2 different disability programs in Michigan. One is called Social Security Disability or SSDI. The other is called Supplemental Security Income or SSI. Also, some employers have “short” and “long term” disability programs that can often be used while applying for SSD.
Eligibility Requirements for SSD and SSI Cases
SSDI or Social Security Disability basically has 2 requirements. First, you must have worked and paid enough money into Social Security through your taxes in order to be eligible. Second, you have to be disabled from all work.
SSI or Supplemental Security Income also has 2 requirements. First, you must be poor. You must have almost no assets or income. Second, you must be disabled from all work. Under SSI, if you have money in the bank or own multiple cars or property or you have income from another source, you may be ineligible for SSI. Since SSA looks at “household income” when determining whether you are poor enough, your spouse’s income could disqualify you for SSI. If you live somewhere for free with no obligation to pay back rent, SSA may consider that as income to disqualify you for SSI. Discuss these matter with a disability application attorney from our office before you apply.
One may ask, why would I apply for both when they appear to have conflicting requirements? The general rule is that you should try to apply for both. I will explain below.
Let’s say you applied for SSDI and SSI and you ultimately win your claim. Social Security will pay you monthly benefits. But, SSA will still owe you from the time that you became disabled. Therefore, SSA will pay you what is known as past due benefits. They will pay this to you in a lump sum which usually amounts to several thousand dollars. SSA can only pay you, however, back one year prior to your SSD application. SSA calls this a “waiting period” in which Social Security will not pay you at all.
What is the “Waiting Period” and how can my Disability Application affect the waiting period?
The “waiting period” is a 5 month period usually rounded to 6 months in which Social Security simply will not pay you Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits. This may sound unfair to you and you are absolutely right, it is unfair.
How do you deal with the “waiting period” for benefits? You can solve some of the “waiting period” issues by the manner in which you apply for SSDI and SSI. If you filed for both SSDI and SSI and you win, we already said SSA will not pay SSDI during the first 6 months. But, they will pay you SSI if you are eligible during the first 6 months of disability until your SSD kicks in. But that is only so if you also applied for SSI. If you fail to also apply for SSI when you apply for SSD, you will receive no money during the first 6 months of your disability.
Back to the original question, should you apply for SSDI, SSI, or both? You should always try to apply for both. SSA can tell you quickly whether you meet earnings requirements for disability or whether your income or assets will disqualify your for SSI. But, as previously stated, you should call an experienced disability application lawyer for a free consultation to discuss these matters before you file any form of disability application.
Do not forget to file an SSI Application when you apply for Social Security Disability
When you file your Social Security Disability application, the application itself will ask whether you wish to also apply for SSI. Usually, your answer will be “yes.” But, many people don’t understand and say “no.” If you say no, you will lose benefits during the 6 month “waiting period.” Depending upon the amount you receive for SSD, you could also lose monthly SSI benefits if you fail to timely apply. This can mean the loss of several thousand dollars. SSA offices report that many claimants fail to also apply for SSI benefits when they really should. A Disability Application Attorney can prevent such a loss.
What information do I need When I Apply for Social Security Disability?
As stated before, the application is simple but can be tedious. Whether you choose to file the application yourself or you wish a disability lawyer to file it for you, you should always consult a disability application lawyer first. You can call our firm for a free consultation for help with filing your Social Security Disability and SSI applications. If you would rather that we apply for you, we will be happy to do so.
The information that Social Security will ask for on a disability application includes:
- Identifying information; Social Security number, date of birth;
- Citizenship, whether born in the U.S. or elsewhere;
- Whether you were in the military service;
- W-2 forms from last years employment or IRS 1040 and Schedules C and SE if self-employed;
- Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of benefits;
- Workers Compensation claims information if applicable;
- Name and contact information of a 3rd person who knows about your condition and can assist with your claim;
- List of medical or mental impairments;
- Dates of treatment with your doctors;
- Dates of hospital stays;
- Contact information for medical providers including doctors, hospitals, and clinics;
- Dates and types of medical tests;
- Contact information of doctors ordering tests;
- Medications and who prescribed them;
- Any medical records you already have;
- Employer information for past 15 years including wages and dates of employment;
How can I file my Social Security Disability Application?
There are several ways to file a Social Security Disability Application. File online, call a Social Security Office, or file with a disability application lawyer. Whichever method you choose, please consult with a disability application lawyer from our office for free to avoid common mistakes.
File for Social Security Disability online
If you have access to a computer, you can file a Social Security Disability application online. It is simple and convenient. When you apply online, you will be provided with a re-entry number which you can write down or even print for safekeeping. This re-entry number allows you to save your work, exit the application, and then return to it at another date and/or time. Some people cannot sit at a computer very long. This feature makes it very convenient for them to work on their application over several sessions with significant rest periods in between.
When applying online, you will be asked whether you wish to also apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). You should have already discussed this with an experienced disability application lawyer. You can call our office to discuss this for free. If you wish to also file for SSI, (most of you will) you should answer “yes.”
SSA will tell you that you have to file your SSI application before a certain date. At this point in time, you cannot apply for SSI online. You will need to do that later with the Social Security Office. But you should filed the SSI application asap. Social Security will likely call you after you electronically file your disability claim online. You should reiterate when they call you that you also wish to apply for SSI. If they do not call you, call them. Do not miss your SSI filing date. A disability application attorney can prevent these mistakes.
Call your Local SSA office to file your Application for Social Security Disability Benefits
This is also very simple. You should gather all of your materials and have the necessary information at your fingertips before you call SSA. Simply call SSA and tell them you wish to apply for Social Security Disability and SSI. They will either send you the documents to complete or they will set up a date that they will call you to complete the application over the phone. You should always call a disability application lawyer at our office for a free consultation before you speak with SSA. Do this to avoid common pitfalls and mistakes. You can find the phone number to the Social Security office nearest you by using the zip code Social Security Office Locator tool.
Call a real Disability Application Lawyer to file your SSD and SSI Applications
Although it is not usually necessary, many people enjoy simply letting a disability application lawyer file the Social Security Disability application for them. This often takes some of the stress off of the Claimant and insures that no mistakes will be made. If you choose this route, however, you should make sure that you are actually speaking with a real disability lawyer. Many disability firms do not use real disability lawyers but instead use secretaries and paralegals who have never seen a disability hearing before. They are not attorneys yet they charge attorney fees. When you call our office, you will only speak with an A+ rated disability application lawyer who has won thousands of disability claims.
What happens after we file a Social Security Disability Application?
If you indicated on your Social Security Disability Application that you also wished to apply for SSI, then you must file with the local office for SSI within a specified time. Don’t forget. If you forget to apply for SSI, you could lose thousands of dollars even if you win your disability claim.
During the disability application, you or your attorney will have provided all of the contact information for your doctors and any hospitals or clinics where you have received treatment. Social Security will order those records. The medical records is our evidence that we will use to prove your claim.
Can a Disability Application Lawyer Win my SSD and SSI Claim Faster?
A Disability Application Lawyer can win your disability claim for you faster in many circumstances. First, we know how to prove disabling limitations. An experienced disability application lawyer can obtain opinions from cooperating doctors regarding limitations necessary to prove your disability claim. In the vast majority of cases, a medical or psychiatric diagnosis alone is not enough to win your disability claim. You must have disabling limitations that prevent you from sustaining employment.
Win SSD and SSI on your Application with an Impairment Listing
A Claimant can meet what is known as an “impairment listing.” It is very difficult to meet an impairment listing as they can be complicated. Many attorneys and even Judges are not adequately familiar with the Listings. But if you can meet an impairment listing, you can potentially win disability very quickly.
If you meet the terms of a medically documented impairment listing, you will win your disability claim in most instances. A listing can be proven through the medical evidence. The listing may also require opinions from your doctor. Sometimes medical records are insufficient to meet a listing and need to be supplemented. An experience SSD application lawyer can recognize and correct these problems.
You need to speak with an experienced disability application lawyer from our office to determine whether you meet a listing. Sufficient proof can quickly allow a favorable disability decision. You can go to the Social Security Administration website and view Adult Listings and Childhood Listings to see whether you meet a Listed Impairment. As these listing can be complicated, speak with an experienced disability application attorney from our office.
Win Disability Quickly with a “Compassionate Allowance”
Some conditions are by their nature so severe that they clearly meet Social Security’s disability criteria. Examples include certain cancers, brain disorders, and rare untreatable disabling disorders.
Social Security has a “Compassionate Allowance” program that allows Social Security to quickly identify these very serious conditions and render quick favorable decisions. You can discuss how to win disability quickly with an impairment listing or a compassionate allowance by speaking with a disability application lawyer at our office.
Learn more about compassionate allowances by visiting the Social Security website. You can also view a list of current compassionate allowance conditions.
What Should I do if my SSD and or SSI Application is denied?
Call our office immediately so that there is no delay in ultimately winning your disability benefits. We will determine why you were denied and will work to correct any deficiencies, errors, or oversights committed by SSA. Our best Disability Application Lawyer will file your appeal for you quickly to obtain disability benefits as expeditiously as possible.
I am 62 and I can no longer work because of my medical condition. Should I just apply for Social Security Retirement Benefits instead of disability?
Actually, you can apply for both. You can apply for retirement benefits and apply for disability benefits at the same time. By doing so, you can receive your retirement benefits at a reduced rate while you are fighting your disability claim. When you win your disability claim, your retirement benefits will get bumped up to the full retirement amount.
There is some risk in applying for both benefits at the same time. Once you apply for retirement benefits early at a reduced rate, you are stuck with that rate if you do not win your disability claim. You can see it is a good idea to speak with an experienced disability application lawyer before making that decision.
Why should you Call a Disability Application Lawyer at Social Security Professionals to file your Social Security Disability Claim?
When you call our disability law firm, you will speak only with a disability application lawyer who has successfully handled Social Security Disability and SSI cases from application to Federal Court Appeals. You will not speak with a secretary or paralegal who has never been to a disability hearing. Nor will you pay any attorney fees prior to actually winning your case.
Call for a Free Consultation with Disability Application Lawyer Donald Peters who has achieved the Highest A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. You need no money to hire Mr. Peters as he only charges a percentage fee only if you win. There are no attorney fees if you lose. And, Mr. Peters uses a Michigan Statute to eliminate files costs that other firms would charge you.
Call for a Free Consultation with Disability Application Lawyer Donald Peters to discuss your disability application. (248) 549-3485. Free Consultation.