How to Know if I'm Eligible for Disability
Many people that are eligible for social security disability (SSDI) benefits never apply because they simply do not realize they have the option of doing so. Other people do not know if they are “disabled” enough to apply, but there are ways of finding out if you are eligible. The sooner you apply, the better because it is a lengthy process.
- Check out the social security
disability website to make sure you fall into what is considered disabled. If you are
younger than 65 years old, you need to have worked at jobs that
actually took out social security from your earnings. In other
words, to be eligible, you need to have paid into social security
along with having a disability that prevents you from working. - Go to your doctor for appropriate
testing to receive a diagnosis. You must have a confirmed diagnosis
of an illness or injury that will keep you from working. Without a
diagnosis, social security will automatically reject your
application. In addition, you need to make sure all of your
paperwork is in order and that your doctor is in favor of your
filing for SSDI. This is important because your doctor will be
contacted, so always fill them in on what you are doing. - Hire an attorney if you are denied
on your first attempt. It is not uncommon to be denied SSDI on the
first attempt, but you can appeal it. At this point hiring a lawyer
that deals with SSDI appeals is probably your best move. They will
charge you nothing if they do not win the appeal and if you do win,
they will take their fee from your back pay. Back payments are made
from the time you were disabled until you are approved.