The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Process

If a serious injury or illness has made you unable to work for at least one full year, you may be eligible to collect Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

2013-04-24

NORFOLK, VA, April 24, 2013 (Press-News.org) If a serious injury or illness has made you unable to work for at least one full year, you may be eligible to collect Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). However, the SSDI claims process is incredibly complex. In order to successfully collect benefits from SSDI, you will need an experienced SSDI attorney on your side. Otherwise, you risk your claim being downplayed or unfairly denied.

SSDI Qualifications

You must meet the Social Security Administration's definition of "disabled" in order to be eligible for SSDI. This definition hinges on three basic factors:
- Your injury or illness must prevent you from being capable of performing the same job duties you had prior to your injury.
- Your injury or illness must prevent you from securing another job.
- Your condition must have lasted for a minimum of one year.

However, meeting the Social Security Administration's definition of disabled does not necessarily guarantee that your claim for benefits will be granted. The SSA will ask you the following questions while evaluating the merits of your claim:
- Are you currently employed? - If you are employed and earning at least $1,000/month, you will not qualify for SSDI.
- Is your condition serious? - If you are unable to work as a direct result of your injury or illness, you should qualify for SSDI.
- Is your injury/illness on the SSA's list? - The SSA has created a list of medical conditions that automatically qualify for SSDI. If your condition is not on this list, this does not mean you are disqualified; however, it may take much longer for you to receive benefits.
- Can you earn a living doing another type of work? - If your injury/illness prevents you from working any kind of job, you are considered "severely disabled."
- Can you perform your old job duties? - If the answer is "yes," you probably do not qualify for SSDI.

Obtaining SSDI Benefits

Once SSDI benefits are granted, they will be paid on a monthly basis. Generally speaking, you should continue receiving benefits as long as your condition prevents you from working. If you are severely disabled, this may mean you receive SSDI benefits for the rest of your life. In other cases, you will stop receiving benefits once you recover from your disability.

If the Social Security Administration fails to grant your claim, or otherwise fails to pay you the benefit amount you are due, you have a right to appeal their decision. Appeals must be requested in writing within 60 days of receiving the SSA's decision letter.

If you would like more information about the SSDI process, please visit the website of the experienced Norfolk Virginia SSDI attorneys at Kalfus & Nachman, Attorneys at Law at www.kalfusnachman.com.

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The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Process

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