The Facts When Applying For Disability Benefits

It takes a great deal of patience, time, and effort when applying for disability benefits. Whether these benefits are expected to come from an insurance agency, the Social Security Administration, or the Veterans’ Administration it can and probably will be a lengthy process.

With insurance companies, they will assume that you are not disabled as you say you are, and are ready to deny you from the onset of your filing. You have to work hard to prove that you are disabled. Also, these companies tend to have a warped sense of what “disabled” entails. For long term disability the insurance forms must be obtained from your employer. For short term they usually come directly from the insurance company.

Applying for disability benefits through the Veteran’s Administration is also in order. There are such monies available for disabled veterans. They are not given to veterans who were dishonorably discharged. However, if you have a service-related disability (an injury or illness acquired during active duty, or an existing condition aggravated to a disabling stage during active duty can warrant compensation from the Veteran’s Administration., You can qualify for between $117 and $3,000 per month depending on their nature of and severity of your condition. In order to apply for a disability award, you must fill out a VA Form 21-526. This is a Veteran’s Application for Compensation or Pension. You would be wise ot provide the VA with doctor’s and hospital records and records of your dependents, such as birth certificate of your spouse and children and your marriage record. You may also apply for and receive medical care through the Veteran’s Administration.

Now, concerning Social Security Disability or SSI (Supplemental Security Income) you may apply for these disability benefits either in person, by phone, or online at ssa.gov. After you complete your initial application and submit any necessary evidence to support your claim it could take several months before you receive and answer—and that answer is usually “No”. Nevertheless, you need to press on and take the second step—a Reconsideration. When you file the necessary forms for Reconsideration, the Social Security Administration will take another look hour case. Normally about 80% of claimants are turned down at this stage. Now, that the first two stages are behind you, you are ready to appeal. You (and hopefully the attorney you have obtained) will come before an Administrative Law Judge in a hearing. If there is anymore evidence to submit, you need to have it there. Keep quiet as much as possible and let the lawyer plead your case. He will try exceptionally hard to win, because he works on the bases that he only gets paid if you win—he receives ¼ of your back pay.

No matter what agency or organization you are applying for disability benefits through, be careful. Educate yourself on what to say and what not to say. Also, know what the Social Security, VA, or insurance company expects from you in order to award you with disability benefits. Not knowing what you are doing can definitely hurt our case. When you apply, sit back and be patient. It will not be done in a hurry. I can almost guarantee that unless your case is “cut and dry”.