Do you live in Virginia? Do you have a disability that has caused you to be unable to work and earn an income as you otherwise normally would? If so, you may be wondering whether you should file a claim for disability benefits, and who you might meet with to help you through that process. Certainly, disability benefits can be tremendously helpful in relieving financial stress during a difficult time, and pursuing those benefits is well worth consideration. Let’s take a closer look at the law and the process together.

What Type of Disability Benefits Should You Seek?

All of us are different, and we each have our own unique set of circumstances. It’s no different when it comes to a disability. Depending upon the particular situation giving rise to your disability, you may be considering a variety of types of benefits, some of which may include:

• Social Security Disability Insurance: SSDI benefits are disability benefits provided by the Social Security Administration to individuals with a disabling medical condition that has caused them to be unable to work for one continuous calendar year or more and are “insured.” To the Social Security Administration, being “insured” means that you regularly worked a job and paid taxes from that job into the Social Security system.
• Supplemental Security Income: SSI benefits are also administered by the Social Security Administration and are intended for applicants with a disabling medical condition that has caused them to be unable to work for one continuous calendar year or more. Unlike SSDI benefits, an applicant need not be “insured,” but does need to have income and resources below a certain annual limit established by the Social Security Administration.
• Veteran’s Benefits: Disability benefits provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs are typically provided for those who served in the armed forces and have a service-related disability.
• Short-Term or Long-Term Disability Benefits: These are benefits typically provided through a privately obtained or employer-provided insurance policy. Terms and conditions will vary based on the terms of the particular policy itself.

Depending upon your particular situation, you may be interested in pursuing one or more of these types of benefits. To determine the best decision for your situation, consulting with someone who knows and understands how those benefits are administered can be very helpful.

Who Can Help Me?

Understandably, deciding what type of benefit to pursue can seem overwhelming. It can seem even more overwhelming to wonder what steps to take to pursue those benefits, and to worry whether or not you’re overlooking an important aspect of filing a claim. The good news is, you don’t have to worry and wonder alone.

In Virginia, there are multiple options for help as you move through the process of considering and pursuing a claim. Some options include:

• A knowledgeable and experienced attorney: Regardless of the type of disability benefit you seek, having an attorney on your side who knows and understands the law and can help you pursue your claim is essential. Doing so will reduce stress and ensure you do all you can to protect and assert your rights under the law.

• Your local Social Security Office: All states have local Social Security field offices, and Virginia is no exception. You can visit these offices in person, or you can call and speak to an employee on the phone who will be able to answer basic questions regarding the process and provide updates on the status of your claim. You can also call the Social Security helpline at (800)772-1213 or visit their website at www.ssa.gov.
• The Department of Veterans Affairs: If you have filed a claim for veterans’ disability benefits, you may want to contact the VA office at (800)827-1000 or visit the website at www.va.gov.
• Your employer: If you have an employer-provided disability insurance policy, it can always be helpful to speak with the appropriate human resources personnel regarding the terms of your particular policy.

These are only a few of many options you may want to consider as you decide how to seek the benefits you need. If you feel overwhelmed, that’s understandable – but you should know you’re never alone. At Muse Disability, we’re here for you.

MUSE DISABILITY – HERE FOR YOU

If you live in Virginia and you are unable to work as a result of a difficult and disabling condition, you may have decided that you’re ready to pursue the process of filing a disability claim. If you’ve made that decision, you probably want to pursue those benefits as efficiently and effectively as possible. At Muse Disability, we’re here to help. We know that the process of seeking disability benefits can seem overwhelming and confusing, and we’re here to eliminate that confusion. We’ll do all we can to fight for the benefits you need, and we’ll keep you informed and involved every step of the way. If you’re ready to get started, give us a call today. We look forward to helping you soon.