When a Missourian has an illness that he or she believes warrants Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, it is not a simple matter of applying and being approved. The process is much more complicated than that. There are various considerations that must be accounted for including whether to seek Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or if the person meets the requirements for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Since SSD benefits provides help with medical care and living expenses, the government is trying to ensure that only those whose illnesses are of sufficient severity that they cannot work will get them. This makes it important to understand the process from the start.
A legal professional can be of great benefit when applying for and seeking benefits. This is especially true if there is a denial at any point in the process — something that happens to many applicants — and they wish to appeal. While it can be discouraging and upsetting to be denied SSD benefits at any point, that does not necessarily mean the person will not eventually be approved. It is crucial to have legal help as the denial might not have been due to the illness, but because a mistake was made at some point in the application process.
People who believe they have qualifying SSD benefits for illness should understand that the problem must be so severe that it prevents them from working for a minimum of 12 months. A qualified lawyer with extensive experience in SSD case will do the following: understand the issues the applicant faces; provide an explanation as to how the Social Security Administration handles cases; detail the medical documentation the SSA needs; explain how long it takes for a case to be decided and appealed; and address any other issue that comes up.
Many people who are seeking SSD benefits will make the mistake of going through the process on their own thinking that it is a good way to save money and that if they are ill, they will be treated fairly and given the benefits they need. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Having a lawyer who is skilled with Social Security disability claims can make all the difference and should not be ignored.
