According to the Monthly Statistical Snapshot issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA), 10.9 million people received social security disability benefits in January 2013. Over $10.6 million dollars was dispersed to these recipients. The large number of beneficiaries and benefits dispersed might suggest that obtaining social security disability benefits is easy, but the reality is many applications are rejected on their first submission. In fact, in Rhode Island, applicants only have a 33% chance receiving benefits after their first application. The percentage drops sharply at the reconsideration review, where only 11.3% of the applications reconsidered are awarded disability benefits. However, 52.2% of cases are awarded benefits after an appeal. Unfortunately, Rhode Island applicants may have to wait as long as 376 days for the chance to appear at an appeal hearing. The difficulty and time involved in an application may be daunting but a lawyer who practices social security law can simplify the process.
Who Qualifies and What Information Do I Need?
The SSA narrowly defines the term disability to only include applicants that cannot do their previous work due to a physical or mental condition, cannot adjust to other work due to the same condition, and the condition is expected to last for at least one year. Restated the requirements are:
- You have a physical or mental condition.
- This condition prevents you from working at your previous job.
- This condition prevents you from obtaining another job.
- Your condition is expected to last for at least one year.
If you meet these requirements, then you may be eligible to receive social security disability benefits. In order to obtain any benefits you must first fill out an application and a report. The application requires information such as marital status, family information, military information, a W-2 form from the previous tax year, and bank account information. The disability report requires information about people who can verify the claimed disability, information about medical treatment, current medicine being used, job history from the last 15 years, and information about insurance and workers’ compensation claims.
Social Security Benefits For Disabled Warwick Residents
If you or a loved one has had social security disability benefits denied or discontinued, the lawyers at d’Oliveira & Associates can provide legal advice. Our law firm has years of experience providing legal advice to Rhode Island and Massachusetts residents with social security disability claims and appeals. Please contact the law offices of d’Oliveira & Associates at 1-800-992-6867 or fill out a contact form for a free legal consultation.