FILING FOR SSD BENEFITS in Harker Heights, TX
Filing for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits can be a daunting process, especially if you are new to the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) procedures and expectations. Knowing when to file, how to file, and what kind of information the SSA needs can help your first SSD application receive a positive response instead of a denial.
FILING FOR SSD BENEFITS
WHEN SHOULD I FILE FOR SSD BENEFITS?
Timing can be everything in an SSD case. It can affect how long you must wait to receive SSD benefits or to receive an SSD hearing for an appeal. If you apply at the wrong time—for example, if you apply when a condition is still manageable enough for you to work—the SSA will deny your claim, and you will have to face the lengthy appeals process as your condition worsens.
If the condition has not lasted a full 12 months when you file the application, the SSA will need medical evidence supporting the fact that your disability will reasonably prevent you from working in the next 12 months. If you do not fulfill either of these expectations, you can expect the SSA to deny your claim.
Knowing when to stop working can be difficult since it drastically affects your living situation until you secure SSD benefits. The ideal time to stop working is exactly when your doctor recommends. Your doctor can document that he or she advised you to stop working due to your deteriorating medical condition, and you will not face repercussions for quitting. On the other hand, you do not want to work past this point and risk furthering your injury.
To avoid the appeals process, you should understand which disabilities qualify you as disabled to the SSA. You can find the criteria for these disabilities on the SSA’s website. SSD benefits are needs-based, so you cannot have more than the maximum amount in assets. In Texas, this limit is currently set at $2,000. Once you understand what qualifies an individual to receive SSD benefits in Texas, you can begin the application process with confidence.
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HOW DO I APPLY FOR SSD BENEFITS IN TEXAS?
Generally, you can find an SSD application through someone at your local social security office by calling for an interview. You can also find the application online. Since SSD benefits are a federal program, filing for SSD benefits in Texas is nearly identical to every other state. You can make applying for SSD benefits and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) easy by asking a lawyer to help you with the process in your area.
When you apply, ensure you have every piece of documentation the SSA requires. This includes medical documentation of your disability, a full history of your condition, treatments your doctor prescribed, your diagnosis, and prognosis. It also includes your income documentation and current assets. If you do not feel comfortable applying online by yourself, call the Social Security office or a lawyer for help.
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WHAT IF THE SSA DENIES MY FIRST CLAIM?
If the SSA denies your initial SSD claim, it is mostly likely because your disability did not meet the proper criteria or you do not have enough evidence to support the claim that you cannot return to work (even if it is not your previous job). If you have been denied, do not worry—the majority of SSD applicants’ first claims get denied. Speak with an Harker Heights SSD attorney in your area to begin the appeal process.
For help filing your initial claim, gathering the proper medical documents, communicating with the SSA, or other things related to your SSD claim, contact Ted Smith Law Group. We understand the importance of securing SSD benefits and will take your claim seriously. Call us at (254) 690-5688 or contact us online to speak with a representative today.
