People generally need to continue working until they are old enough to retire and have enough set aside to support themselves. Sadly, there are many hard-working adults who suddenly become unable to work because of a change in their health, and these people may face abrupt and severe financial hardship.
Although some people may have private disability insurance coverage, most people rely on federal benefits if they must stop working unexpectedly. Someone with a disabling medical condition who can no longer work because of their injury or illness may apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.
Most full-time workers can apply for SSDI
Workers contribute a little bit towards Social Security from each paycheck that they receive. They earn credits that either make them eligible for retirement benefits later in life or for SSDI benefits if they find themselves completely unable to work. SSDI benefits provide a modest source of income to cover basic living expenses for those with disabling medical conditions. Unfortunately, quite a few people apply for SSDI because they cannot work get rejected. Those applicants initially denied benefits may want to appeal that decision. What does an SSDI benefits appeal involve?
There are numerous stages to the benefits appeals process
Typically, the rejection letter from the Social Security Administration (SSA) will explain why someone didn’t get benefits. They may have made mistakes and paperwork or failed to submit sufficient medical records. Once someone knows the cause of their rejection, they can move to correct that issue and appeal the decision against them. Resubmitting paperwork and gathering more medical documentation can help someone prepare for their appeal. The first step in the process is a reconsideration, where a worker at the SSA looks at the application and any corrected materials submitted by the applicant.
If that isn’t successful, then the applicant will need to wait for a hearing in front of an administrative law judge. During that hearing, medical records and possibly witness testimony could help someone convince a judge that they deserve benefits. Successful appeals result in not only future payments but also backdated benefits paid all at once.
Seeking legal guidance to appeal a rejected SSDI benefits application may help those who are no longer able to work and support themselves because of a medical issue.