SSDRC




What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI?

How do you Win Benefits under Social Security Disability or SSI?

If I am determined disabled, how far back will Social Security pay benefits?

How do you prove your disability case if you have a mental condition?

What Can I Do to Improve My Chances of Winning Disability Benefits

Common Mistakes after Receiving a Denial of Social Security Disability or SSI Benefits

How to File for Disability - Tips for Filing

If You Get Approved For SSDI Will You Also Get Medicare?

How much does a Social Security disability attorney get paid?

Social Security Disability SSI Criteria and the Evaluation Process

How long does it take to be approved for SSI or Social Security disability?

What do you Need to Prove to Qualify for Disability Benefits?

Social Security Disability SSI and Fibromyalgia

Social Security Disability SSI and Degenerative Disc Disease

Can I Qualify For Disability and Receive Benefits based on Depression?

Answers to questions about SSD and SSI disability

What Disabilities Qualify for SSI and Social Security Disability Benefits?

Social Security Disability Status

Social Security Disability Tips — how a claim gets worked on

Social Security Disability, SSI Disability - Terms, Definitions, Concepts


The Social Security Disability Approval


How to prove you are disabled
and win disability benefits

 
The most difficult part of the disability approval process is the length of time it may take to attain a Social Security disability allowance. Statistics across the nation suggest that roughly 30 percent of all disability claims are allowed at the initial level and about 15 percent are allowed on the reconsideration level, which means that about forty five percent are allowed in the first two levels of the disability process.

Do not be discouraged if you are not allowed at the first two levels because your chances of winning a disability approval at the social security hearing level are good. It has been estimated that, of the claims that are received at the ALJ (administrative law judge) hearing level, sixty percent with representation win, while forty percent of the disability claims without representation win.

It would be safe to say that about 70-75 percent of all disability claims that go through the entire disability process from initial claim to hearings level are "eventually" approved. The implicit assumption, of course, in being approved is that one must persevere and that means filing all available appeals, most specifically the request for reconsideration (following an initial claim denial) and the request for hearing (following a denial on a request for reconsideration).

The entire disability process, including the filing of appeals, may take more than eighteen months in some cases, or more than three years in others (generally if the claim involves a hearing before a judge), depending on the backlog of disability claims in your specific state. Once you are approved, you will receive letters from Social Security informing you of your Social Security disability approval and what your disability benefit amount will be.














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Individual Questions and Answers


  • How long does it take receive disability benefits after you are approved?

  • Is There Social Security Disability For Children?

  • How Likely are You to Win Your Disability Case?

  • What is Social Security Back Pay?

  • If you are applying for Social Security disability when does Medicare start ?

  • Why was I denied social security disability?

  • SSI Benefits - what do they include and how long does it take

  • Social Security Disability Claim Denied and what to do about it

  • Do Most Social Security Disability Reconsiderations Get Turned Down?

  • Do you get medical health care coverage with SSI ?

  • Applying for disability benefits in North Carolina

  • Proving a Social Security Disability Case Often Means Getting a Statement from Your Doctor

  • How To Get SSDI Approved

  • Does Your Last Job Determine If You Receive A Social Security or SSI Award?

  • What Is A Social Security Durational Denial?

  • Can Your Social Security Disability or SSI Benefits Be Reduced?

  • What is the Purpose of the Social Security Disability SSI Medical Exam, or CE?

  • Why do I need an attorney for Social Security disability?

  • Hiring a Qualified Disability Lawyer in Pennsylvania

  • What is a Social Security administrative law judge disability hearing?

  • Qualifying for disability benefits with the social security administration

  • Will Social Security Grant Disability If I Have Not Been To the Doctor?

  • How long does it take receive disability benefits after you are approved?

  • Does The Social Security Judge Use The Same Rules As The Disability Examiner?

  • How long does the administrative law judge take to make a decision on an SSD or SSI disability case?

  • How many are denied disability benefits under the SSDI and SSI Programs?

  • Can you present evidence at a social security disability or SSI hearing?

  • Your Medical Condition and Social Security Disability or SSI

  • Disability Hearings - how many are won?

  • Do You have A Chance Of Losing Disability Benefits If Your Case Gets Reviewed?

  • How does Social Security consider lupus as a disability?

  • COPD, Social Security Disability, and Applying for Benefits

  • How Does Social Security Disability Make Its Decision?

  • The Time Involved on a Social Security Disability Decision
























    SSD and SSI are Federal Programs

    The title II Social Security Disability and title 16 SSI Disability programs operate under federal guidelines and, therefore, the program requirements--medical and non-medical--apply to all states:

    Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

    Recent approval and denial statistics for various states can be viewed here:

    Social Security Disability, SSI Approval and Denial Statistics by state

    Special Section: Disability Lawyers and unnecessary claim denials