Avoid This Bad Advice About Social Security Benefits

Benefits for disability through the Social Security Administration’s SSDI or SSI programs are the financial lifeline for thousands annually, who can no longer work or perform in the same capacity as prior to the onset of their disability. In these cases, the benefits they receive are an absolutely critical component of regular income;  losing this source of income could jeopardize more than just stability, but also quality of life.

This is why successfully applying for benefits is such a major step for people throughout the United States. Thousands of applicants rely on these benefits every year=l to support both themselves and their families. While the application process may seem initially daunting, or intimidating in many cases, the right preparation and claim support can make all the difference in an application; best of all, it’s easier to do than you might imagine.

Preparing for Tests and Gathering Evidence

A common (and entirely avoidable) mistake many applicants for Social Security disability benefits make deals with preparation steps and evidence compilation; essentially, the documentation used to prove a disability exists and severely limits your ability to work in the same ways as prior to your condition. Brushing off or underplaying these factors in a disability claim is the main reason applications fail in countless instances.

The ultimate decision regarding your disability and benefits is based on the hard evidence: the proof you provide that your disability is a long-term hindrance on your ability to earn. Disability benefits through the SSA aren’t rewards, they’re supplementary, replacement income for wages lost due to a physically and/or mentally disabling conditions.

When applying for disability, avoid simple mistakes by creating a thorough record of your condition, including everything from occupational forms to medical treatment costs. To  receive benefits through the SSA, your condition must be diagnosed by a licensed doctor or practitioner in that field, and must be expected to last at least one year or have already lasted one year. Those with temporary conditions or minor illnesses need not apply; you may only receive benefits through the government if your afflictions are long-term, and measurably affect your capacity to earn a living.

In preparation for your disability application, be sure to include supplementary evidence of your working history and review your Social Security Earnings Record. The Social Security disability program operates through a credit system, with applicable credits taken out of standard paychecks in the form of taxes. Over time, these contributions, along with your age, unique condition and circumstances, will entirely shape how government benefits will work for you.

Probably the worst advice we’ve ever heard about getting benefits for disability is that the initial legwork on an applicant’s behalf doesn’t matter. The SSA won’t always have medical records, work documentation or earnings information on hand at any given moment; it’s crucial to gather this information, this evidence beforehand, for the best chances of success with the SSA.

Beyond acceptable medical documentation, make sure records of your working history are accurate and well-documented. When determining benefits for disabilities officially listed in their Blue Book (the internal, referential guide of eligible disabilities), the SSA will gauge your contributions to Social Security in a recent work test and duration of work test.

Both of these tests have great implications down the line on your eligibility and benefits, and preparing for such with working documentation and proof can streamline and simplify the entire application process.

Perhaps the worst piece of advice about Social Security disability applications doesn’t deal with the kind of evidence you bring to support your claim, but rather the decision to go about your application with or without expert help.

Avoiding Professional Help

In cases we see every year, a little professional guidance and consultation can go a long way in getting applicants the benefits they need through the Social Security Administration. Too often, failed disability benefit applications are the result of poor planning on the applicant’s behalf, and are entirely avoidable with the right preparation and aid.

This is why it can be absolutely crucial to contact a local disability professional to help organize and support your claims of disability. Disability benefits can be much more than supplementary income, covering wages lost in work changes; it can be (and is) a lifeline for thousands of Americans every year.

Attempting a disability application on your own means increased, and unnecessary risk for failure. Disability experts located in your area serve as more than just mediators in talks with the SSA, they can be invaluable assets in your claim, and the entire difference in your application’s success.

Don’t risk losing your benefits altogether; instead, contact an experienced disability professional today to drive your claim and improve coordination with the SSA.