If you live in Missouri and you struggle with a disability, you may be wondering whether or not your condition will qualify for disability benefits, and if so, how to apply. This is an important and understandable question to ask, as disability benefits can be an essential source of financial support and stability during a difficult time. Let’s take a closer look together at the benefits available, the requirements to receive those benefits, and how to apply.
What Benefits Are Available?
The Social Security Administration offers two types of disability benefits. These include:
- Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) Benefits: These are benefits that the Social Security Administration provides to individuals who are “insured.” This doesn’t mean that you have to purchase a certain type of insurance, however. Instead, it means that you worked a qualifying job for a sufficient length of time, through which you paid a portion of your income to the Social Security Administration.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits: Unlike SSDI benefits, and individual need not be “insured” to be approved for SSI benefits. Instead, an individual must have income and resources below a certain limit established by the Social Security Administration. That limit may change from year to year, so consulting with an attorney regarding your particular financial situation is always advised.
Regardless of which type of benefit you pursue, you will have to meet some basic requirements. Let’s take a closer look at what those are, and the conditions that apply.
What Are the Basic Requirements to Qualify for Benefits?
Regardless of whether you’re seeking SSDI or SSI benefits, you must fulfill two basic requirements in order to be approved. These include:
- Having a qualifying medical disability: In order to be eligible for benefits, an individual must have a qualifying medical disability. What does this mean? Essentially, it means that you have a condition that the Social Security Administration recognizes as a disability. In order to make this determination, the Social Security Administration will often consult its “Blue Book.” Essentially, the Blue Book is a listing of qualifying conditions and their accompanying symptoms. If you are able to establish that you have one of these conditions, you generally increase your likelihood of being approved for benefits. If you do not have one of these conditions, however, you will not necessarily be denied. Instead, you may simply need to present additional medical proof of your condition and its disabling effect on your day-to-day life.
- Having that disability for a sufficient length of time: As a general rule, any disabling condition must last for at least one continuous calendar year or more. If your condition lasts less than this amount of time, it may qualify for short-term benefits from a private insurer or other types of compensation, but likely will not be approved for Social Security disability benefits.
Those who meet the foregoing requirements may be approved for benefits, depending upon their particular circumstances. Generally, the amount of benefits paid will not depend upon the particular disabling condition itself, but rather on various other factors including an individual’s work and earning history, income and resources, and various other factors.
How To Submit A Social Security Disability Benefits Application?
If you believe that you may qualify for benefits and you live in Missouri, you may wonder how to go about submitting your application.
A few helpful tips to know regarding the application process include:
- Those wishing to apply for disability benefits can either fill out their application online at www.SSA.gov or call 1-800-772-1213 for assistance from a qualified representative.
- Typically, the process of submitting an application will include gathering necessary information, including medical records and documents pertaining to your employment and earning history, if needed. After the necessary information is gathered, it can be submitted with the application.
- After the application is completed and submitted, it will be considered by the Social Security Administration, and either approved or denied.
- If a claim is approved, the payment of benefits will begin shortly thereafter.
- If a claim is denied, an applicant must typically wait for about 60 days to try again and submit a request for reconsideration. If that request is denied, you may later be given a hearing date, and the claim may reviewed by an Administrative Law Judge, who will ultimately issue a decision.
Although this is a general overview of how the application process works, it should be noted that it is no substitute for consulting with an attorney who knows and understands the law, and can offer you guidance as to your particular circumstances. At Muse Disability, we’re here to help.
Muse Disability – Your Disability Benefits Team
If you live in Missouri and you’re struggling with a disability, you should know that you never have to struggle alone. You deserve to focus on treating your condition and enjoying life with those you love, instead of worrying about how you’ll assert and protect your rights. You can leave those matters to us instead. When you do, you can rest assured that we’ll always pursue the best legal strategies on your behalf as we fight for the benefits you need and deserve. If you’re ready to get started, give us a call today. We look forward to speaking with you soon.