Important Qualifications In A Disability Claim

Posted on: 2 June 2016

Getting approved for social security disability can be difficult, especially when you're not sure what it takes to get approved. Here are some of the critical requirements for a successful disability claim. 

You Need to Have Earned Enough Income

Since the disability program is a shared social security net, it requires you to have contributed to the funds at some point in your life. The SSA requires you to earn 40 credits in general, earning up to four per year. The amount of the credit changes from time to time, so it's best to check the Social Security Administration's website. If you don't qualify under these circumstances, there are times when you can still receive social security. For instance, if you become disabled at a young age, then you may be able to work with a social security disability lawyer to justify that you've earned enough credits to qualify, for your age. 

You Need to Have an Approved Disability

The Social Security Administration has a fairly strict definition of a long-term disability. First of all, the injury must prevent you from doing your chosen profession and any other work that you may be able to adapt to. For instance, if you were  construction worker, you may not be able to do this line of work but you may be able to find an office job. The disability has to also be proven to have long-term effects. 

Your disability application processor will run through a series of questions to determine whether your injury is severe enough to warrant a disability claim. Some of these questions are black and white, while a lawyer may be able to help you influence the answers to others. For instance, The question of whether you can do any other type of work may be subject to interpretation and dispute. 

You Need to Follow All of the Guidelines

Finally, the outcome of your social security disability claim can be affected a lot by how well you meet the standards for approval. Following close guidelines on timing and documentation makes sure that you don't get disqualified but it also helps the person reviewing your case to view your situation in the most favorable light possible. Working with a social security attorney is a great idea because these lawyers have seen many successful and unsuccessful applications, and they'll be able to tell you what it takes to present a great case for your disability. Get in touch with a social security disability attorney in your area for more info.

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