How To Find Out If Someone Is Receiving Disability Benefits

How to Sign Up for and Manage Disability Benefits

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Disabilities are becoming more and more common. As the workforce ages and the obesity and heart-disease epidemic worsens, over thirty percent of workers can expect to become disabled before reaching retirement. With millions of Americans applying every year, disabled individuals are getting turned down more often than ever. The application process can be long and difficult. Luckily though, if you prepare yourself properly, you can significantly increase your chances of winning the benefits you deserve. This guide will teach you everything you need to know about signing up for and managing disability benefits.

Your Employer

The first thing you should do after becoming disabled is to check with your employer and see what coverage, if any, they may provide for you. If you've worked for over a year with a company who has at least 50 employees, you may be able to file a Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) claim. However, employees covered under this act receive no monetary benefits. The FMLA only ensures that you receive a 12-week recovery period during which your employer cannot terminate you.

Many employees, however, are not covered under any policies, and disabilities can often last for years or for a lifetime. In these cases, you will have to take it upon yourself to apply for Disability benefits.

Should I Hire A Disability Attorney?

The first decision you face when applying for disability is whether to hire an attorney. By helping you accurately and optimally fill out all paperwork, ensuring that you meet any deadlines, and accompanying you to your hearings, a disability advocate or attorney will significantly improve your chances of approval. Attorneys do charge for their services, but the good news is that they generally only receive compensation upon your approval. However, hiring an advocate isn't mandatory. It is always free to apply for social security disability through the Social Security Administration, and if you're careful and thorough, it is completely possible to get approved with nothing more than your own diligence.

How to Apply for Disability Benefits

If you are unable to work because of an injury or medical condition that is expected to last for at least one year, then you are eligible to apply for disability benefits, There are generally three ways you can apply:

Apply online—must be at least 18 years of age; must not have been denied disability benefits within the last 60 days.
Apply by phone—Call 1-800-772-1213. Open 7 am to 7 pm every weekday.
Apply in person—You can visit your local social security office where an interview will be conducted in person. Note that you must be call and schedule an appointment ahead of time.

If able, it is generally favorable to apply online. Applying online ensures that you can take your time filling out paperwork and answering questions. You can save your progress and take breaks, and even search the internet for advice.

What to Expect During an Interview

Even if you apply online or over the telephone, both before you're accepted, and at times throughout receiving your benefits, you may be called into the social security office for an interview.

You should be prepared to provide the following information: Your current height and weight without shoes.
Medical conditions (physical and mental) that prevent you from working.
When you last worked, and your previous employers.
The names of doctors, therapists, clinics, or emergency rooms you've been treated at.
Your current medications.

How Long Does It Take for a Decision to Be Made?

Generally, it takes between three and five months for a decision to be made regarding your disability benefits. The times vary depending on how long it takes to obtain your medical records, so be certain to make no mistakes when listing this information.

When Will I Start Receiving My Benefits?

After being approved, you will begin to receive benefits six months after the point that your disability was determined to have started. This is because of the initial five-month delay that took place while your case was being evaluated. Don't worry, pay from those months accumulate as "back pay".

How Will I Receive My Benefits?

In the past, all SSD payments were sent through snail-mail in the form of a monthly check. As well as being inconvenient, this method also proved to be insecure. Thankfully, nowadays, payments can be made by:

Direct Deposit. Have your money electronically deposited straight into your bank account.
ETA (Electronic Transfer Account). This is a special account specifically designed for your benefits that you can set up at participating banks and credit unions. This method is usually not necessary for most recipients.

Direct Express® debit card. Likely the easiest and most convenient, the Direct Express debit card is free to use and functions the same way as any other debit card.

Will the Number of Benefits I Receive Change?

Yes, likely so. SSD benefits often increase by a small percentage at the beginning of each year, based on the official cost-of-living index. If the cost of living increases, so will your benefits.

How Often Will My Case Be Reviewed?

This depends entirely on your condition, and how likely it is that you will improve enough to be able to work in the future. The Social Security Administration has a limited amount of funds and needs to make sure that they're being distributed only to those who need them. Your first review may occur as soon as six months after your benefits begin. Then, if it's decided that your condition may improve, may be conducted about every three years. If, however, your case is not expected to improve, reviews could be as infrequent as every seven years.