Financial Tips While Waiting for Decision on Social Security Benefits
Posted by admin on Apr 22, 2009
Q: How do people care and feed for their families, while they wait for a social security disability benefits claim approval?
A: Waiting for a final decision about your social security benefits claim can range from months to years. Claimants are told to expect a 90 to 120 timeframe for an initial application to be reviewed. Most claims are denied during the initial review process. If an application is not approved, you can apply for reconsideration and, if you are denied again, appeal to have your case heard before an administrative judge. Appeals will make your wait even longer. Most estimates say cases that go through an administrative hearing take 2.5 years from initial application to final decision. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to anticipate the length of time it will take for a decision to be rendered on a claim for disability benefits. Many claimants struggle to support themselves and their families, while they are in limbo waiting for an answer about their particular social security benefits case. If you are able to work in a limited manner, you have to be aware of the impact it may have on your case. There are limits to the amount of income you can bring in. Unfortunately, no matter how small the workload, be aware that it could influence how your injury or condition is viewed by the reviewer. Regardless of whether you pick up work while awaiting a decision about your social security benefits, it is wise to take action now in case your claim takes longer than originally expected. Get rid of discretionary budget items and, instead, set aside the money. If you own your home, consider refinancing the original mortgage to free up funds. If you currently rent, look into finding a less expensive property. Contact family and friends who may be able to offer short term financial support. Apply for any and all state and federal aid programs for which you qualify. Many gas, water and electric companies provide assistance to their customers in need, as well. Speak with your doctor about billing plans that might be available to those awaiting benefits decisions. There are many non profit organizations that also provide assistance. Church groups, for example, may have food support programs.
Q: I live in Florida, currently collect disability social security benefits and am in danger of having my home foreclosed. What should I do?
A: The state of Florida offers special homestead tax exemptions for which you may qualify. An exemption will lower the assessed value on your home by up to $50,000. Apply for a disability exemption.
Social Security Disability and Medical Treatment
Posted by admin on Apr 11, 2009
Obtaining Social Security disability benefits for a person under the age of 50 is not impossible, but it is much more difficult then it would be for someone over 50, who is considered an older individual. The burden of proof for a younger individual is that there is no work in the national economy that he/she can do. For somebody over 50, on the other hand, the only proof they need to provide is that they are no longer able to have the same vocation they did during the last fifteen years.
If you do not have medical insurance, Social Security will send you to their doctors. These Social Security doctors are not actually there to treat you, but to examine your case impartially and methodically. Because of this, having a record of treatment from independent (non Social Security) doctors is generally the best way to provide proof of your disability. Doctors that know you and know what you are going through.
If you do not have medical insurance, there are two different places you can go for help. Your local county clinic and vocational rehabilitation. County clinics are there for people who do not have medical insurance. When you first contact these clinics you should not immediately tell them of your medical problems. Often times, when the administrative staff hears about your complicated medical problems, they will tell you that they cannot help you because they do not have proper funding for your condition(s). They may decide to turn you away before you even get to see a doctor. You just simply them that you do not have medical insurance and you need a primary doctor. Do not give any details. Then, when you get in to see the doctor, you can provide details about your condition and concerns. Often (though not always), once you get in to see a doctor, the county clinic will send you to any necessary specialists and agree to pay.
The Vocational Rehabilitation Program, is a state funded program designed to help people be trained to do some type of work. However, before sending you off for training, this program will check your medical history and have you checked out by doctors associated with the program. They will pay for doctor visits, medications, tests and even surgeries and/or procedures, if warranted. When all this is finished, they will then decide whether or not they believe you can go to work. If at the end of the decision process the program determines you unable to work, they will then send you over to Social Security to apply for benefits. This can help your claim, because the experts in the field of getting you back to work say you cannot. And as a “bonus,” you have also received the treatments and medicines you needed without having to pay a penny. And, if a vocation rehabilitation program does decide that you are fit to work, they will help you find the employment you need. In this case, the medical records, etc., you obtained can still be used to prove your Social Security disability claim.
Once again, without medical treatment, especially for younger individuals, it is almost impossible to get Social Security Disability Benefits. Therefore, you have to get into medical treatment as soon possible.