If you live in Alabama and have a disabling condition that has rendered you unable to work, you may be wondering whether you qualify for disability benefits. This is an understandable question to ask, as being disabled can be very difficult, particularly from a financial perspective. Let’s take a closer look at what benefits are available, who qualifies for those benefits, and how the application process typically works.
What Types of Benefits Are Available?
As Social Security is a federally administered program, the types of benefits available are the same in all states. As a result, disabled individuals in Alabama may qualify for one or both of the following types of benefits:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Benefits: SSDI benefits are benefits that the Social Security Administration offers to individuals who are “insured.” The Social Security Administration considers an individual “insured” if they worked a job for a sufficient amount of time and regularly paid a portion of the salary from that job to the Social Security Administration.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits: Unlike SSDI benefits, those who receive SSI benefits do not need to be insured. Instead, SSI is intended for lower-income individuals who may not otherwise qualify for SSDI benefits. Each year, the Social Security Administration sets a limit on the amount of income and resources an individual may have to be eligible for these benefits. As a result, talking with an attorney regarding your particular financial circumstances will be important.
Regardless of the type of benefit that you are applying for, you’ll have to meet two primary requirements. These include:
- You have a disabling condition: In order to determine whether or not a condition is disabling, the Social Security Administration will often consult its listing of impairments, generally known as the “Blue Book.” If you have a condition that is included in the Blue Book, this will generally increase your chances of approval for benefits. If you do not have one of these conditions, your claim might still be approved, but additional medical proof may be required.
- The condition has lasted for a year or more: In order for a claim for benefits to be approved, the condition upon which the claim is based must last for at least one continuous calendar year or more. If not, the Social Security Administration generally considers the condition to be short-term, and an application for benefits is not likely to be approved.
Depending upon your particular circumstances, you may qualify for one or both of these benefits. It’s important to understand that regardless of the benefit you receive, the benefit amount will not depend upon the particular condition itself. Instead, the Social Security Administration bases the benefit amount upon various other factors, including an individual’s work and earning history, as well as their income and resources. Consulting with an attorney regarding your particular circumstances and how much you might receive is always advised.
A Look at the Application Process
If you believe that you meet the conditions to apply for disability benefits, you may wonder what steps you should take to qualify for those benefits.
First and most importantly, you should talk with an attorney who knows and understands the law and can advise you about your situation. You don’t want to overlook an opportunity to assert important rights and fully pursue your claim.
Generally, however, the application process consists of the following steps:
- Obtaining an application: Those interested in applying can fill out their application online at www.SSA.gov or call 1-800-772-1213 for assistance from a qualified representative.
- Gathering necessary information:Before submitting your application, you will need to gather the necessary medical and employment records to support your claim.
- Submitting the application: After gathering the necessary information and filling out your application, you will be ready to submit your application for a decision.
- Waiting for a decision: Depending on how busy the Social Security Administration is and how many applications have been submitted, you may need to wait some time before an initial decision is issued—although typically, the SSA tries to process the applications as quickly as possible.
- Appealing the decision if necessary: It is not at all unusual for an application to be denied the first time. If this is the case, you may choose to file a request for reconsideration or even pursue an appeal before an Administrative Law Judge, if necessary.
While these steps are a good general overview, they are no substitute for advice from a qualified and experienced attorney. At Muse Disability, we’re here for you.
Muse Disability – Your Social Security Disability Attorneys
When you’re struggling with a disability, the last thing you need is added stress. You don’t need to worry and wonder how you’ll assert your rights and pursue the benefits you need and deserve. Instead, you can leave that to the talented and experienced legal team at Muse Disability. When you do, you can be confident you’re putting your case in good hands. We know and understand every aspect of the law pertaining to disability benefits, and we’ll fight for you each step of the way. If you’re ready to get started, give us a call today. We look forward to speaking with you soon.