Do you live in Louisiana? Do you struggle with a disability that has caused you to be unable to work? If so, you may wonder whether you should seek disability benefits from the Social Security Administration, and if so, what the process of applying for those benefits might look like. These are great questions to ask, and understanding more about the claims process can be very helpful in providing much-needed peace of mind during a difficult time. Let’s take a closer look at the law together.
What Types of Benefits Are Available? Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Policies
If you are seeking benefits, it is important to know that a variety of options may be available, depending on your circumstances. In some cases, employers provide short-term or long-term disability policies that may provide benefits for your condition, or you may have obtained one of those policies yourself. If this is the case, you will want to review the policy terms, in consultation with an attorney if necessary, to determine whether it applies to your situation. Benefit amounts under these policies will vary, as will the duration of benefits.
Social Security Disability Benefits
Another common type of disability benefit are those paid by the Social Security Administration. The Social Security Administration offers two types of disability benefits, which you may seek depending upon your particular circumstances. These include:
- Social Security Disability Insurance: Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI benefits, for short, are benefits that the Social Security Administration pays to individuals who have a disabling condition that has rendered them unable to work for one continuous calendar year or more, and who are “insured”. To the Social Security Administration, being insured doesn’t mean having a particular insurance policy, as it may sound. Instead, it means that the applicant worked at a job for a sufficient length of time and paid employment taxes from that job into the Social Security system. The maximum amount of SSDI an individual can receive in 2025 is $ 4,018 per month.
- Supplemental Security Income: As with SSDI and SSI benefits are intended for individuals with a disabling condition that has caused them to be unable to work for one continuous calendar year or more. Unlike SSDI benefits, however, those who are seeking SSI benefits do not need to be insured. To receive SSI benefits, however, an applicant must have income and resources below a specific limit set annually by the Social Security Administration. This limit changes from year to year, so consulting with an attorney about the limits for the year you apply will be essential. In 2025, the maximum amount of SSI benefits that can be received each month is $967 for an individual and $1,450 for a couple.
Regardless of the type of Social Security benefit you intend to pursue, the application process will generally follow the same pattern.
What Does the Application Process Look Like?
Although everyone’s experience of the claims process will be slightly different, generally, it includes:
- Consulting with an attorney: This is an essential first step of the claims process. Having an attorney who knows and understands the law to guide you through the process can make a tremendous difference between a smooth experience and a stressful one.
- Gathering necessary evidence: With guidance from your attorney, you will want to gather all necessary information to prove your claim. This will include medical records regarding your condition and how it affects your daily life, and may also include any relevant employment information regarding how your condition impacts your ability to perform your job duties.
- Completing all required paperwork and application: While the general application information can be found on the Social Security website at www.ssa.gov, it is always wise to have an attorney guide you through the application process.
- Awaiting a decision: Depending on how busy the Social Security Administration is at the time, an initial decision may take a few months. If you are approved, benefits should begin shortly thereafter. If denied, you may want to pursue the next stages of the appeals process. Consulting with an attorney regarding the best option for your particular situation is always advised.
If all of this information seems overwhelming, that’s understandable. The good news is, you don’t have to go through this process alone. At Muse Disability, we’re here for you.
Call Muse Disability Today
If you live in Louisiana and are considering whether to file a disability benefits claim, you should know that this is not a decision you have to make alone. The law can seem complicated and confusing, and it can be frustrating to have many questions and no answers. The good news is, there is help available. At Muse Disability, our knowledgeable and experienced attorneys are here for you. We would welcome the opportunity to learn your story and discuss your options with you. If you’re ready to take the first step today, give us a call. We look forward to speaking with you soon.
Sources
- Social Security Benefit Types: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits
- Social Security Benefit Amounts: https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/Benefits.html
- Applying for Social Security Benefits: https://www.ssa.gov/apply