BEING DISABLED MAY NOT QUALIFY YOU FOR A SOCIAL SECURITY CHECK!
Having a doctor say that you are disabled may not qualify you for a Social Security disability benefit. In fact, the very term "disabled" has very little to do with meeting the qualifications.
What is more important to Social Security is what kind of work related activities you can still do. How often can you do these activities? And what is the underlying cause of your functional restrictions?
Also, just having a serious disease or medical condition may not qualify for payments. It's quite possible to have rheumatoid arthritis, epilepsy, or even cancer and still not qualify for an SSDI payment.
However, if you can prove that you can't perform any of your past work OR any other job that exists in the nation's economy, you may be on track to get benefits. So, you need to establish what the physical and mental demands of your past work were; and that you are no longer able to meet those demands.
If your past work required you to stand for 6 hours per day, walk for 2 hours, and lift as much as 50 pounds (medium exertion level work), you should show with medical evidence that you can no longer do that much standing, walking or lifting. If you are age 50 or over, this may win you an award. (Note: Only work you have done within the past 15 years will be considered).
If you are under age 50 (a "younger individual"), you will need to also prove that you can't perform other, easier work, even at the sedentary, or sit-down level.
Medical evidence is the key. You need X-rays, MRIs, other tests and medical examinations to show that you have a medical condition that could reasonably cause symptoms that prevent you from working. In addition, you must demonstrate specific functional limitations that prevent full-time work. It is absolutely critical to get your medical records from doctors, hospitals and clinics--because these are what Social Security depends on to prove your case.
A Medical Opinion is Very Valuable. If you can get one of your treating physicians to provide a treating source statement, it is often very helpful to your claim. It's really not just a "statement," it's a form filled out by your doctor, giving his or her professional opinion about how much you can sit, stand, walk, reach, bend, crouch, crawl, etc. If you have mental impairments, such as depression, anxiety or PTSD, there is a special form that covers these issues.
In your Social Security hearing, it may surprise you that the term "disability" may not be used at all. Different entities have different definitions of "disability." The definition Social Security will use is: You are unable to perform any full-time work which exists in significant numbers in the US economy.
One of the best things a claimant can do is to consult with someone who knows Social Security's rules and regulations. What evidence is acceptable? What doctor's forms are needed? Which grid rules may apply? What's the best legal strategy to use?
A free 15 minute phone call to an attorney or non-attorney advocate who handles Social Security cases may be priceless. If you hire someone to represent you, you cannot be charged a fee and you cannot pay any money unless you win your claim and receive past due benefits from Social Security. When that happens, Social Security will deduct a small percentage of your back pay and pay your attorney/representative directly. You keep most of your back pay and 100 percent of monthly benefits.
__________________
The Forsythe Firm
7027 Old Madison Pike - Suite 108
"Across from Bridge Street"
Huntsville, AL 35806
Office also located in Franklin, TN
FREE CONSULTATIONS.
SOCIAL SECURITY JUSTICE - OUR WEBSITE
What is more important to Social Security is what kind of work related activities you can still do. How often can you do these activities? And what is the underlying cause of your functional restrictions?
Also, just having a serious disease or medical condition may not qualify for payments. It's quite possible to have rheumatoid arthritis, epilepsy, or even cancer and still not qualify for an SSDI payment.
However, if you can prove that you can't perform any of your past work OR any other job that exists in the nation's economy, you may be on track to get benefits. So, you need to establish what the physical and mental demands of your past work were; and that you are no longer able to meet those demands.
If your past work required you to stand for 6 hours per day, walk for 2 hours, and lift as much as 50 pounds (medium exertion level work), you should show with medical evidence that you can no longer do that much standing, walking or lifting. If you are age 50 or over, this may win you an award. (Note: Only work you have done within the past 15 years will be considered).
If you are under age 50 (a "younger individual"), you will need to also prove that you can't perform other, easier work, even at the sedentary, or sit-down level.
Medical evidence is the key. You need X-rays, MRIs, other tests and medical examinations to show that you have a medical condition that could reasonably cause symptoms that prevent you from working. In addition, you must demonstrate specific functional limitations that prevent full-time work. It is absolutely critical to get your medical records from doctors, hospitals and clinics--because these are what Social Security depends on to prove your case.
A Medical Opinion is Very Valuable. If you can get one of your treating physicians to provide a treating source statement, it is often very helpful to your claim. It's really not just a "statement," it's a form filled out by your doctor, giving his or her professional opinion about how much you can sit, stand, walk, reach, bend, crouch, crawl, etc. If you have mental impairments, such as depression, anxiety or PTSD, there is a special form that covers these issues.
In your Social Security hearing, it may surprise you that the term "disability" may not be used at all. Different entities have different definitions of "disability." The definition Social Security will use is: You are unable to perform any full-time work which exists in significant numbers in the US economy.
One of the best things a claimant can do is to consult with someone who knows Social Security's rules and regulations. What evidence is acceptable? What doctor's forms are needed? Which grid rules may apply? What's the best legal strategy to use?
A free 15 minute phone call to an attorney or non-attorney advocate who handles Social Security cases may be priceless. If you hire someone to represent you, you cannot be charged a fee and you cannot pay any money unless you win your claim and receive past due benefits from Social Security. When that happens, Social Security will deduct a small percentage of your back pay and pay your attorney/representative directly. You keep most of your back pay and 100 percent of monthly benefits.
__________________
The Forsythe Firm
7027 Old Madison Pike - Suite 108
"Across from Bridge Street"
Huntsville, AL 35806
Office also located in Franklin, TN
FREE CONSULTATIONS.
SOCIAL SECURITY JUSTICE - OUR WEBSITE
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