What you shouldn’t believe about SSDWritten by Lala Balattan
The Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability programs are largest of several Federal programs that provide assistance to people with disabilities. American citizens have come to be aware that with Social Security programs for disability benefits and SSI, security is still there for them, even as they are physically restricted, burdened with an illness and unable to work anymore. However, Social Security is not committed to making massive awareness and information regarding such programs as vast public are continually in ignorance of its procedures, policies and workings. Because of this, several misconceptions and false expectations have been harbored by many who were misinformed of social security’s policy. Alas! Many are greatly disillusioned by time they have come through handling their own applications for disability / SSI claims. A foremost example of a misconception is that “the Social Security denies everyone first time they apply for disability”. Arbitrariness is never a method in Social Security. Disability applications are filed at Social Security Office and are subject for evaluation. Completed disability applications are sent to a state agency called Disability Determination Services (DDS). At DDS, they are assigned to disability specialists known as Examiners. Examiners are individuals who make decisions on Social Security cases (at initial and Reconsideration Levels). Though not all are denied, it is frustrating to note that after months of waiting, 70% of population that applied for disability claims are denied! Another misguided information is that “Social Security denies you a certain number of times before you are approved and can receive disability benefits” should not be believed. During long wait for processing of disability / SSI claims applications, many different factors affect approval and/or denial of applications. Each case are different among others, thus, reasons for approval and/or denial, whether how many times are not always same. Meanwhile, a statement from your physician supporting your case cannot automatically get you approved for benefits. Why, of course! No one who ever passed a disability claim application at SSA with or without supporting statements of a physician have ever been automatically approved. Your physician’s medical report on your disability will have to go through inspection of DDS and eventually, if continually denied, into judgment of Administrative Law Judge to weigh facts presented if you are really entitled to benefits.
| | If Your Case Gets DeniedWritten by Paul Hood
If you have been injured or become ill and are no longer able to work, you have certain Social Security Disability Benefits. Social Security Disability is a benefit received from Social Security Administration by disabled workers and in some cases their dependents, similar to those received by retired workers. And you will have to file your case. Sheri Abrams states statutes for one to be qualified to file for Social Security Disability Benefits: “To receive benefits under Social Security Disability program, you must have a physical or mental health problem (or a combination of problems) severe enough to keep you from working in any regular paying job for at least one year or result in death. The test isn't whether or not you are able to go back to your old job, and test isn't whether or not you have been able to find a job lately. Rather, test is whether you are capable of doing any job available in national economy (even if this job involves different skills or pays less than your previous work.) By using an extensive set of regulations, Social Security Administration takes into account your medical condition, your age, your abilities, your training and your work experience in deciding your case.”
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