Each condition has specific criteria applicants must meet, through medical evidence, to prove their disability. If your claim is being denied, the SAA will send you a Notice of Disapproved Claim or Notice of Reconsideration depending on the stage of the claim. Here's what you should know if you're applying to Social Security for long-term disability due to a medical condition. Likewise, you can be ineligible for benefits even if you earn less than SGA. More than 50% of individuals who appeal an initial denial to an administrative hearing, for example, have their applications approved. You can learn more about working part-time on disability by reading our blog post. That brings us to the second sign that you may have a better-than-average claim: medical evidence. You’ve Paid Enough Social Security Taxes One of the first requirements to qualify for SSA benefits is that you must have enough work credits. There are several steps that need to take place prior to your receipt of benefits. In our disability process, we evaluate your ability to do the physical and mental activities you were required to do in your past work. When looking at medical records, we’re not just trying to find out how often you went to the doctor or hospital, we’re also looking for information that is relevant to the medical conditions we believe may help you qualify as disabled. The amount required depends on age and is as follows: Eligibility for social security disability benefits does not just require a finding that you are unable to perform at your current job; the SSA must also find that you cannot work at any of your prior jobs. If you have a strong disability claim, you will receive monthly benefits. Now, let’s look at two signs that you may have a stronger-than-average claim. The Social Security Program’s definition is, “any condition that is severe enough to prevent you from working for 12 months or more may be considered a qualifying disability.” For more information about what conditions qualify for disability you can read our blog post. Born in Rocky Mount and raised in Kernersville, North Carolina, Brad attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, receiving his Bachelor of Arts from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. For 2020, that means being able to earn more than $1,260 per month, or $2,110 if you are blind (the SSA adjusts the SGA amount annually). Cancer: There are several types of cancer…too many to list in this blog. In this post, we’re going to focus on Question #2: “Is your condition severe?”, According to Social Security, “your condition must significantly limit your ability to do basic work such as lifting, standing, walking, sitting, and remembering – for at least 12 months. That is why many people work with a disability lawyer to help them make sense of the process. How to Prepare for Your First Attorney Meeting, Case Evaluations in Hernia Mesh Injury Lawsuits, Social Security Disability Hearing – How to Find Your Administrative Law Judge, Social Security Disability and a Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) Leak, Why Search Your Judges Name before Your Hearing, 10 Guidelines You Should Use For Answering A Social Security Function Report, Spondylosis and Social Security Disability Benefits, Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits with Cervical Radiculopathy. What Medical Conditions Automatically Qualify You For Disability? If you want to gauge how likely you are to get benefits, here are 5 signs that you will be approved for disability: 1. if they also want to know more about the disability or proof (a paper from the doctor) then you may not be approved yet.Sounds like you are to me cuz they dont usually waste their time with the bank info, ect. What happens if you find I am able to do my past work, but I cannot get a job doing that work ? The grid rules take many factors into play including your age, your education level and your previous work experience. Is this a bad sign? Fax: 336-727-2599 If you'd like to discuss your claim with an expert, I would recommend speaking with a Social Security disability attorney. It could be great if it were that easy! If it does not, we will find that you are not disabled.”. Can Social Security Check Your Bank Account? if you may not be qualified. Being able to meet these criteria doesn’t guarantee that the SSA will rule that you are disabled enough to receive disability benefits. As your disability lawyer, one of the first things we will do is review your medical records and ask you if you have any doctors willing to write a statement of support on your behalf. En español | There are hundreds of illnesses and disorders, as well as certain medical and personal circumstances, that may qualify you for expedited processing of a claim for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). A doctor must medically diagnose you with a condition expected to last at least 12 months or result … If you are blind or visually impaired, you may receive a notice in the mail with a follow-up phone call. In 2020, $1,410 in earnings is equivalent to one credit (like SGA, the amount changes annually). Just like having a disability that is included in the SSA Blue Book isn’t an automatic guarantee of eligibility for disability benefits, having monthly earnings that fall below the SGA threshold doesn’t guarantee that your application will be approved. For example, if your disability began on June 15, 2018, your first benefit would be paid for the month of December 2018, the sixth full month of disability. If you are approved at the hearing level, then first you will receive a letter from the hearing office stating you have been approved. Younger disabled workers, however, may qualify with fewer work credits. I've been waiting for months to hear whether I'll be approved or denied for disability. If we don’t have any medical records that document diagnosis and treatment for your medical conditions, it will be difficult to prove that you are disabled. Sign #1: You … If your disability claim is denied or approved, Social Security will send you a notice of decision in the mail. Although the process of applying for social security disability can be lengthy, there are some signs that can indicate that you might be approved for disability. Here are five signs your claim for disability benefits may be approved. Typically, you need 40 work credits to be eligible for social security disability benefits, 20 of which must have been earned in the 10-year period ending at the start of your disability. Ability to Continue Prior Work: If it is determined that you are able to adjust and continue your prior line of work, you may not be considered disabled. If the answer is yes, your application will be denied. In closing, it’s important to remember that no one can guarantee a positive result. Please share this list with anyone else you know who has been approved for disability in the past six months. Most claims receive an initial denial, and several things are considered when you move on to an appeal. “Approved” Disabilities: The SSA maintains a list of conditions that meet the definition of disability. In our practice, we have developed specific forms for our clients to use for this purpose. As an attorney, he has helped protect victims of domestic violence, representing those without the resources many take for granted. More specifically, the disability must make you unable to participate in what the SSA calls substantial gainful activity (SGA). First, some background on the procedure of applying for SSI or SSDI: After you submit an application, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will start out by deciding whether you meet the financial and/or work-history requirements. In the video below Sharon Christie, a social security disability benefits lawyer, answers the age-old question what are some signs that I am going to win my Social Security Disability Benefits Case? This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. You are also 63 years old, which means you will have a much higher chance of qualifying than someone who is younger and may be able to be retrained for another job. 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