In order to be entitled to Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits, you must be found disabled and you must have earned the minimum number of credits called quarters of coverage, from work covered under the Social Security System. The required number of quarters of coverage depends on your age at the time you become disabled. […]

The Social Security Act defines disability for adults as “the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment, which can be expected to end in death or which has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.”

You should provide the Social Security Administration with information that is as complete and detailed as possible. 1. You will need to provide a list of all the jobs you held in the past 15 years and give a detailed description of your job duties including, but not limited to: * The tasks you performed

The Social Security administration is a huge bureaucracy. It is important that you keep an organized and accurate account of your oral and written communications with the Social Security Administration. Make a note of the person’s name with whom you spoke and what was said. When you file your claim, get the name and telephone

In general, you can expect to wait at least close to four months to receive the initial decision. If you are denied and file an appeal, which is called a request for reconsideration, you should expect to wait from two to three months for a decision on the request for reconsideration decision. If your claim

If your claim is denied, you should file an appeal! Since a large number of decisions are reversed on appeal, it is WORTH YOUR TIME AND EFFORT!! In addition, if you do not file the appeal in the required time, you give up your right to appeal. If you change your mind and want to

The four levels of appeal as follows: 1. Reconsideration 2. Hearing 3. Appeals Council Review of the Hearing Decision 4. Civil Suit in Federal Court. If your initial claim is denied, you have 60 days (plus five days mail time) from the date on your notice to file an appeal. The first appeal is a

At the hearing, you will appear and give testimony under oath regarding your pain and other symptoms and how your symptoms limit your ability to perform every day tasks such as cooking, grocery shopping, household chores, driving, and engaging in social activities. This testimony is evidence that the judge must consider along with the medical

Once you qualify for disability benefits, you may continue to receive the benefits as long as you remain medically disabled and unable to perform substantial gainful work. *Click here for a FREE copy of “Your Rights to Social Security Disability Benefits” Answering these broad-based questions isn’t easy. Help is a phone call away. You can