Social Security Disability
The pursuit of a Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits (SSD/DIB) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claim can be a challenging and drawn-out affair. A great deal is at stake in these claims, since people who are unable to work often rely on SSD and SSI benefits to meet their basic financial needs.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers four different benefit programs for people with disabilities:
1. SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance)
2. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
3. Disabled Widows and Widowers Benefits (DWB)
4. Disabled Adult Child Benefits (DAC)
The medical requirements to prove disability, as well as for making disability determinations, is basically the same for all four types of benefit programs.
Many people confuse SSDI and SSI, but there are differences. SSDI pays benefits to you and certain members of your family if you are “insured,” which means you have worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes) A person eligible for SSDI will automatically be enrolled in Medicare after receiving two years of benefits. SSI pays benefits based on financial need, whether or not you have worked. SSI is a federal income supplement program that is funded by general tax dollars (not Social Security taxes). People who qualify for SSI automatically qualify for Medicare with no waiting period as in SSDI.
The Social Security Administration turns down almost 65 percent of people who first apply for disability. Every year, more than 1 million claimants give up on their claims, even though many of them continue to suffer from serious physical, mental and emotional challenges.
Fortunately, success can often be achieved with the help of a knowledgeable and persistent disability benefits lawyer. Approximately a half million claimants who pursue their claims through the appeals process eventually win the benefits they are legally entitled to.
At Kendall Drewyor, we will take the time to answer your questions about what to expect as your application is processed. We will use school and medical records, and if necessary, call on other experts to help support your claim for benefits. If we need to, we will fight for you through several levels of appeals. Our goal is to help you get the benefits you need and deserve.
With more than 65 years combined experience, we are here to serve you in State and Federal courts in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Please call us at 479-464-9828 or click here to send a message.