10 Essential Disability Facts for Florida Residents

It’s easy to get lost in the sea of information available on Florida disability benefits. This is particularly true of the SSA website, which can seem like a labyrinth of specific details. But there are some important facts that you need to know right now, which we’ve made available in the easy-to-read list below. Whether you’re just beginning the claims process or you’re working on an appeal, our compassionate disability advocates have the knowledge and experience to help. That’s why we’ve listed the top 10 facts below, which may help you understand the process for filing for Florida disability benefits.

Top 10 Florida Disability Facts

1. The SSA will consider you disabled under Social Security rules if: you cannot do work that you did before; the SSA decides that you cannot adjust to other work because of your medical condition(s); and your disability has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year or to result in death.
2. You do not have to wait until you’ve been out of work for 1 year to file for Florida disability benefits; you should file as soon as you become disabled.
3. If you filed a claim for Florida disability benefits and were denied, you have a right to appeal this decision. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for a first claim to be denied.
4. You generally cannot be considered disabled if you are working in 2015 and your earnings average more than $1,090 a month.
5. To qualify for childhood Disability Supplemental Security Income, the child must have a mental and/or physical condition that results in “marked and severe functional limitations.” And the child’s condition(s) must have lasted, or be expected to last, more than one year; or must be expected to result in death.
6. According to the SSA, “An adult disabled before age 22 may be eligible for child’s benefits if a parent is deceased or starts receiving retirement or disability benefits. We (the SSA – ed.) consider this a ‘child’s’ benefit because it is paid on a parent’s Social Security earnings record.”
7. If you are a veteran receiving service-connected veteran’s disability benefits, you may also receive Social Security Disability benefits simultaneously.
8. It is possible to receive Florida disability benefits for anxiety disorders such as generalized persistent anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and others.
9. If you plan to apply for Florida disability benefits, it’s best to first gather all of the information on this checklist. This will make completing the Internet Disability Benefits Application and the Disability Report a bit easier.
10. If you need help filing a claim, appealing a denied claim or just need someone to talk to about your Florida disability benefits, you can speak to an experienced disability advocate who will help. You don’t have to do this alone.

No matter what type of disability you or a loved one may have, the Disability Experts of Florida will fight for you. We understand how difficult the process of filing for disability benefits can be. And we know how confusing it is to navigate the SSA website. That’s why we’re here to help you through the process, from filing a claim to the appeals process, if necessary. Our compassionate disability advocates have helped thousands of people just like you. Call today for a free consultation.