Knowledge Is Power

     Since you came to this website, you must have started, or given serious thought, to submitting a disability claim. The web pages you find here will give you a great deal of insight into the claim process and, hopefully, help you submit a winning claim that will get you quick approval. You should carefully study these pages and the forms.

     When you give any thought into applying for Social Security Disability (SSDI or SSI) you must first realize that obtaining disability benefits is not an entitlement. Simply believing you are disabled does not guarantee you will receive any disability benefits. You must also convince the Social Security Administration you are disabled... according to their rules.

     Applicants for SSDI or SSI must understand the application process for Social Security disability benefits is long and frustrating, complicated, and often confusing. Regulations, policies, and procedures exist that are strictly adhered to by Social Security Administration employees. Any mistakes made along the way could result in a denial of a claim for Social Security disability benefits, even to an otherwise fully qualified applicant.

     Our history has time and again shown us that knowledge is power. Having prior knowledge about something will always provide an advantage. Our lives are filled with instances of learning as a reason to survive, prosper, and enjoy. Learning to read, write, swim, drive, playing a sport, balancing a checkbook... We learn to make our lives better. We never stop learning. And, we never run out of reasons for learning.

     Learning all you can about something before you attempt any challenge reduces the possibility of making a mistake and greatly improves your chance of success. Learning about something before you attempt it also reduces your stress and anxiety because you know what to expect.

     The same holds true if you are considering applying for SSDI or SSI disability benefits. With knowledge of the disability application process you can avoid costly mistakes, complete their forms accurately, and respond to their questions appropriately. Knowledge helps you anticipate what is expected of you.

     Statistics show that disability claimants represented by an attorney have a better chance of obtaining benefits. You should consider that. If you choose to retain the assistance of an attorney, knowledge will help you communicate more effectively, thereby improving your attorney's potential for representing you successfully.

     Our handbook, Knowledge is Power: The Applicant's Handbook to Winning Disability, with step-by-step instructions, is our way of giving you the opportunity to learn much more about applying for disability benefits. If you are disabled and eligible for Social Security disability, we want you to begin this endeavor with an advantage that will give you the best chance of winning the disability benefits to which you are entitled.

     In the pages that follow we have described the basics of the disability claim process, including general information about eligibility, completing your application, and how claims are evaluated. Hopefully, this will help you get started with your disability benefits application. We urge you not to stop here. The more you learn about the claim process and your disabling condition, the better prepared you will be for the difficult times to come and the greater chance of success.

Dire Need Request. Because of the significant time typically encountered in the SSA’s claim evaluation process, it is not unusual for claimants to suffer extreme financial hardships as a consequence. Claimants frequently face difficulty paying for medications, medical treatment, and critical expenses such as rent or mortgage, utilities, and even buying food. Unfortunately, as dire a need as this may appear, a claimant’s disintegrating financial condition is not generally considered an urgent issue with the SSA during the initial phases of the evaluation process. Not until the claimant has appealed for an administrative hearing will the SSA entertain a request to expedite the hearing date based on the claimant’s dire need. Even then the SSA only considers dire need as a situation in which the claimant is in danger of becoming homeless or, in some instances, will lose utilities or is unable to obtain urgent medical treatment.

Presumptive Disability. The SSA can determine claimants for SSI and SSDI disability benefits to be presumptively disabled. When a claimant is found to be presumptively disabled, the claimant will begin receiving disability payments while the application is processed. Generally, to be considered presumptively disabled, the claimant's disabling condition must appear to meet the criteria for a condition described in the SSA's Listing Of Impairments.

Five-Month Waiting Period. Claimants who have been approved to receive Title II disability benefits (SSDI) are subject to a five month waiting period. The waiting period means that SSA will withhold five months of an approved claimant's benefits. This waiting period begins with the onset date established for the disability. SSI beneficiaries are not subject to this waiting period.

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<a href="http://www.disabilityhandbook.com/index.htm"> The Disability Handbook | Benefits & Claim Information</a>

The Disability Handbook provides an in-depth description of the policies and procedures behind the claim process, how your claim will be evaluated, and includes tips, advice, secrets, and recommended strategies to winning your claim.

The Handbook also includes complete details and step-by-step guidance on how to prepare your application and how to appeal if your claim is denied. Each of the topics introduced on this website is elaborated on in greater detail.

With the help of the downloaded forms, the Disability Handbook provides all the information and instructions to begin your claim the right way. Your chance of a first-time approval will greatly increase.