Social Security’s disability program was designed to sustain people who can no longer work because of an injury or illness. Before you submit your application, you should understand these four important aspects of pursuing disability benefits from the government.
Online Application
It used to be that you could only apply for disability by submitting a paper application. To make things easier and to speed up the process, Social Security now allows people to apply for these benefits online. As outlined at SSA.gov, the online application takes less time to fill out than a paper application. It is recommended that you use the online forms when you want to expedite the process as much as possible.
Wait Period
Expediting your case can depend significantly on your illness or injury. If Social Security has questions about your condition, you still could be in for a substantial wait while your case is considered. While some applicants who have severe illnesses and injuries may be approved within a few weeks’ time, others who suffer from lesser conditions, such as diabetes or depression, may need to wait longer for approval. Your approval will depend to some degree on the severity of your condition and whether or not Social Security believes that you can still work.
Court Appearance
After you submit your application, you may be called to appear before a judge in federal court. The judge will ask you questions about your disability and also may require that you undergo psychiatric and medical evaluations to substantiate your claim. If you are turned down for benefits the first time, you may have to apply again and go to another court appearance in the near future. The process could take months or years to complete before you are awarded benefits.
Legal Representation
Given the fact that it can take a significant amount of time to be approved, you may fare better to hire a disability lawyer. A Michigan social security disability lawyer who practices in this aspect of law can help file your case and also represent you in court. Your legal counsel can compel the judge to consider your case fairly and also ensure that all of the necessary documentation is submitted in a timely manner. When people want to shorten the time they spend applying for disability, they often choose to hire a lawyer to help them.
Disability benefits provide financial relief after an illness or injury. Before you apply, you should learn about these four aspects of the application process.
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