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  • Disability Group 3:16 pm on March 8, 2011 Permalink | Reply  

    File for Disability – Links to Application Forms

    By: Disability Group (http://www.socialsecuritylaw.com)

    If you are filing for social security disability benefits you can do most of the application work online. We’ve put together links to the most commonly used forms required to file a disability benefits claim.  (If you have questions on how to fill out the paperwork, feel
    free to contact our office at (800) 248-1100 or get a free case evaluation at: http://www.socialsecuritylaw.com/free-consultation/.)

    If you believe you are eligible for disability benefits, you should file an application as soon as possible to preserve your application date.

    It’s important to be thorough with your forms and list everything accurately the first time to save time in the application process.  Social Security offices are under severe backlogs, you don’t want to fall further behind by making a mistake on your disability application or leaving information out.

    When answering form questions it is important to be very specific about what you can and cannot do, as well as how your disability affects your capabilities.  Your answers on these forms will be used in your claim later.

    To apply for disability benefits online, you can start here: Disability Application Checklist

    SSA-3373 Function Report-Adult:  http://www.ssa.gov/online/ssa-3373.pdf
    This form tells Social Security what functions you can do and how your disability affects your daily activity.

    SSA-3380 Function Report Adult-Third Party Form:  http://www.ssa.gov/online/ssa-3380.pdf
    This form is used when applying for disabilities on another person’s behalf.

    SSA-3369 Work History Report:  http://www.ssa.gov/online/ssa-3369.pdf
    Social Security uses this report to determine what jobs you performed in the past. Remember, even if you are no longer able to do the work you did previously, you still may not be considered disabled if there are other jobs you can still perform.

    If you are filling out paperwork on your own, remember that over 70% of initial applications are denied. Unfortunately many legitimate disability claims have to be appealed all the way to an Administrative Law Judge before being rewarded.  The best strategy is to make sure you have the most accurate and detailed forms as possible so that your claim can be handled in a timely manner.

    Disability Group has put together a quick 4 step questionnaire to help you determine if you may qualify for social security disability benefits.

    Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2011
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  • Disability Group 5:00 am on February 18, 2011 Permalink | Reply  

    Working After the Social Security Disability Benefits Award

    By: Disability Group (http://www.socialsecuritylaw.com)

    Have you received Social Security Disability Benefits? There’s a common misconception is that any work done after receiving an award for Social Security disability benefits will terminate those benefits.  In fact, however, a person receiving benefits may work and still receive many benefits.

    Trial Work Period

    The SSA does not consider work by claimants to mean that disability has ended until it exceeds the “trial work period.”  The “trial work period” is a 60-month period during which the claimant worked for at least 9 months.  These months – called “trial work months” – can be spread out over the 60 month period, and count if the claimant earned at least a certain amount.

    If self-employed, a “trial work month” is any month where the claimant either earned the amount stated above, or worked more than 80 hours in their own business.  The SSA’s website has a handy table to determine whether monthly earnings in a given year are enough to count as a “trial work month”.

    Benefits Past the Trial Work Period

    Working claimants who exceed the “trial work period” can still receive SSDI benefits in those months where their earnings are not “substantial” (another handy table at the SSA’s website can show you how much the “substantial” monthly earning rate is for a given year).  Claimants will not receive benefits for any month where their earnings exceed the “substantial” amount.

    Any work expenses that result from disability, however, can deduct from earnings enough to grant claimants benefits despite “substantial” earnings.  These expenses include prescription drugs, wheelchairs, and any specialized work equipment needed to perform a job.

    Even after SSDI benefits have stopped because of earnings, claimants have certain options.  They have five years in which they can ask SSA to reinstate disability benefits because a condition has again become disabling.  In this case, no new disability application is required.

    SSI Benefits

    SSI eligibility is based on financial need.  SSI benefits can decrease or stop when a beneficiary’s income increases.  Likewise, if income drops within the eligibility cap, SSI payments will automatically start again.

    If a disabled SSI recipient works, they may continue to receive payments until their combined income exceeds the SSI income limits, which varies by state.  Like before, if a beneficiary becomes unable to work again due to disability within five years of SSDI benefits ending, they may ask SSA to reinstate their benefits.

    Medicare and Medicaid

    Medicare Part A coverage will continue for at least 93 months after SSDI benefits have stopped due to earnings, as long as claimants are still disabled.  After this period has expired, claimants can buy Medicare Part A coverage by paying a monthly premium.

    Medicaid coverage generally continues even after SSI benefits stop.  Coverage may stop, however, if income reaches a certain level, varying by state and reflecting the cost of local health care.  Contact your local Medicaid office to determine your local income levels and other restrictions.

    The SSA wants claimants to work if possible, and employment should not be viewed as immediately terminating all benefits.  Speak to your attorney or the SSA office to see how it might affect you.

    Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2011
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    • Philly 11:03 pm on May 11, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Thakns for sharing. Always good to find a real expert.

    • jeanna salas aquino 9:31 am on May 23, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      i was diagnose with ovarian cancer and gowing on chemo .
      im 63 yrs old reciving social security.but with my condition i don;t want to go back to work.
      im medical leave at work .

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