Hot Springs, AR SSDI Lawyer
If you live in Hot Springs and cannot work because of an illness, disability, or injury, you could be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.
One of the most common questions surrounding SSDI benefits is eligibility, which is divided into two parts: disability and work history. Our attorneys can review your diagnosis and employment history to see if you qualify. We can also estimate your monthly benefit so that you can prepare your finances as necessary. Generally, SSDI applicants need to wait several months to get their first checks from the Social Security Administration (SSA) after approval. If you get through this waiting period and still qualify, you will start getting your SSDI benefits monthly in Hot Springs.
You can get a free case evaluation from our Hot Springs, AR SSDI lawyers by calling us today at (479) 316-0438.
Common Questions About SSDI Claims in Hot Springs, AR
Many people might be eligible for Social Security benefits in Hot Springs without realizing it. Our lawyers can review your circumstances to determine if you can get SSDI benefits and answer any questions you might have about the application process.
Am I Eligible Based on My Work History?
The first issue regarding SSDI eligibility is an applicant’s work history. Before giving you your paychecks, your employer should remove taxes for Social Security. Then, as you earn income, you will also earn work credits. Typically, applicants need 40 work credits to get SSDI, half of which must be earned within the past decade.
If you do not qualify based on your own work history, you might qualify because of your parent’s work credits. For example, you might be a disabled adult child if you sustained your disability before age 22, are 18 or older, are unmarried, and also meet the SSA’s definition of disability for adults. Your parents must also have a work history that would qualify them for Social Security benefits.
Am I Eligible Based on My Disability?
The final factor in determining SSDI eligibility is whether you have a qualifying condition. There are 14 categories of conditions that qualify for SSDI, including various hematological disorders, neurological disorders, mental disorders, cancers, and endocrine disorders. Furthermore, your disability must be likely to persist for at least 12 months or the rest of your life.
Your medical records should be sufficient documentation to show the severity of your disability and how it stops you from earning an income.
How Long Do I Have to Wait to Get Benefits?
The SSA imposes a five-month waiting period between claim approval and when applicants start getting benefits. And, since each monthly check is for the previous month, it could be six months after approval before you get your first SSDI payment from the SSA.
The SSA waives this waiting period in certain cases, such as when applicants have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. If you believe your condition qualifies you for immediate access to benefits, our lawyers can review your diagnosis to see if that is a possibility.
How Often Will I Get Benefits?
If the SSA approves your SSDI claim, you will get a check each month for the previous month. This means you will get your January benefit in February and so on.
The exact day you receive your monthly benefit will depend on your birth date. For example, if you were born between the 1st and the 10th, you will receive your payment on the second Wednesday of each month. If you were born between the 11th and the 20th, you will receive it on the third Wednesday of the month. Finally, if you were born between the 21st and the 31st, you will receive your payment on the fourth Wednesday of the month.
How Can I Receive My Monthly Benefit?
You can get your monthly benefit through direct deposit or by mail. Many recipients choose direct deposit, which allows them to receive their benefits at midnight on their payment dates. With the mailing option, you risk delays. If you change your banking or mailing information while getting SSDI, inform the SSA immediately so that you do not experience delays for the month.
How Much Will My Benefits Be?
Your monthly benefit amount will depend on your work history, not your disability. In 2024, the maximum monthly SSDI benefit is $3,822. That said, that amount is reserved for those near retirement age, meaning your monthly benefit could be lower, depending on how many work credits you have. Our SSDI lawyers can review your employment history to estimate your monthly benefits so that you can prepare your finances accordingly.
How Long Can I Keep My SSDI Benefits?
In many cases, SSDI recipients can keep their benefits for the rest of their lives or until their disability is lifted. For example, if you were diagnosed with a condition that could improve through the necessary treatment, you might get SSDI while receiving medical care. However, if your condition improves in the following years and the SSA learns of this during a continuing disability review, it might revoke your benefits.
What if the SSA Denies My Claim?
If the SSA denies your initial claim, our lawyers can help you appeal it by requesting reconsideration from the SSA. Our attorneys can provide the SSA with additional documentation and evidence supporting your claim during the reconsideration period, like detailed medical records. SSDI applicants have several opportunities to appeal denied claims and should not be discouraged if the SSA does not approve them the first time around. That said, to reduce the chances of the SSA denying your claim, our attorneys can prepare the necessary information showing your eligibility so that you can avoid any unnecessary issues or delays.
Call Our Lawyers in Hot Springs, AR Today
You can discuss your case for free with our SSDI lawyers when you call (479) 316-0438 today.