The Application Process of Social Security Disability
Present the Best Case to Qualify for Disability Benefits
If you have become disabled, you should apply for disability benefits as soon as possible. There are three ways that a person can apply for disability benefits. You can:
- Make an appointment with your closest Social Security Administration (SSA) office to fill out an application and file your disability claim
- Call the SSA office to complete the application over the phone, which will take about one hour
- Go to www.socialsecurity.gov and apply online.
If you schedule an appointment at an SSA office or complete your application over the phone, you will be mailed a Disability Starter Kit prior to the interview. This kit is designed to help claimants prepare for the interview. For applicants who apply online, the Disability Starter Kit is available on the SSA's disability website.
Prior to scheduling an appointment with the SSA or filing your Social Security disability (SSD) application, you should also contact an experienced SSD attorney to help guide you through the process. At the Birmingham law firm of Burke, Harvey & Frankowski, we have helped disabled workers throughout the state of Alabama and elsewhere get the benefits that they need. Contact us to speak with one of our lawyers at a free initial consultation.
After Applying for Benefits
Once you have filed your Social Security disability application, the Social Security Administration will review your application to see if you meet the basic requirements for receiving disability benefits. This includes looking at current work activities and checking to see if you have worked enough years to qualify.
If you qualify, the agency will speak to your doctors to get information about your disability and will look at medical evidence from your visits to hospitals, doctors and clinics where you have been treated. They will primarily look at what your medical condition is, when it began and how it limits your activities. The SSA will decide if your medical condition prevents you from being able to do the work you did before and will also look to see if you would be able to do any other type of work.
Nearly 85 percent of all initial claims are denied by the SSA. If your claim is denied, you should not be discouraged or think that your opportunity to obtain benefits is gone. You are allowed to appeal the SSA's decision and seek a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge. Appealing an adverse decision can be lengthy and complicated but the attorneys at Burke, Harvey & Frankowski can help you through the process.
Contact Us for a Free Initial Consultation and
File Your Application with Confidence
If you have been disabled and want to file an application for SSD benefits, contact us prior to filing your claim. Let the Birmingham, Alabama, law firm of Burke, Harvey & Frankowski answer your questions about your right to disability benefits and the application process. Call us locally at 205-588-4057 or toll free at 888-880-9046. We can help you obtain the benefits you deserve.
