According to the Social Security Administration, about 9 million Americans collect Social Security disability benefits each year. This statistic might lead you to believe you won’t have anything to worry about if you ever need to start collecting New York Social Security disability benefits. Unfortunately, the Social Security disability review process is anything but easy.
The average person finds the disability benefits review process complicated. People often end up more confused than they bargained for, so working with a New York Social Security disability claims lawyers can simplify this process. Of course, you should also have a general idea of what the Social Security disability evaluation process is going to look like so that you feel more prepared as you take that step.
The following guide on how to navigate the SSDI eligibility review process with more confidence.
A Glimpse Into the Requirements To Qualify For New York Social Security Disability Benefits
Before beginning the Social Security disability review process, you’ll want to check that you meet the basic requirements to qualify for general SSDI benefits. The SSA has created a simple set of straightforward basic requirements for anyone thinking about applying.
Here are the boxes you must check to potentially qualify for SSDI benefits:
- You can’t do your current job anymore because of a disabling medical condition recognized by the SSA.
- You don’t have the option to take on another type of work for health-related reasons.
- Your disability is going to impact your ability to work for at least one year.
- You have enough paring credits to qualify.
The last thing you want to do is spend too much time filling out a Social Security disability benefits application only to discover you didn’t qualify for benefits from the start!
Gathering the Necessary Documents To Start the Social Security Disability Review Process
As you might expect, the SSA will ask you for a lot of information when you’re filling out a Social Security disability benefits application. Spend time collecting the documents you’ll need before sitting down to fill out an application. This checklist should provide you with a better idea of everything you’ll need to complete an application and start your SSDI case review.
At a minimum, ready yourself for the process by securing these documents:
- Tax returns.
- Medical records.
- Banking information.
Without this documentation, filling out the application might be challenging.
Completing the Social Security Disability Benefits Application
There is a five-month waiting period for any Social Security disability benefits. In other words, you will have to be out of work at least five months before your application will be considered While it is smart to prepare for the disability claim assessment process accordingly, don’t wait to kick off the process. Starting early ensures you aren’t forced to wait any longer than necessary to collect your much-needed disability benefits.
You might also try to apply online for Social Security disability benefits rather than by phone or sending in an application through the mail. Doing so may save your time.
Hearing Back From the Social Security Administration About Your SSDI Eligibility Review
Experience suggests that filling out a Social Security disability benefits application quickly keeps the process moving along. Still, no matter how fast you send in this application, you’ll have to be patient. Typically, the SSA takes at least from three to five months to render a ruling, even though each case differs in substance and form.
Remain calm and keep checking the mail once you submit an SSDI benefits application. In the meantime, you may want to consider finding a Social Security disability lawyer in New York? This is a helpful move if the SSA decides to deny approve your application at first.
There’s also the possibility that you’ll hear back from the SSA requesting some additional information from you. For example, the review board might ask you to visit your primary doctor for a more thorough Social Security medical review.
Filing an Appeal If the Social Security Administration Denies Your SSDI Benefits Application
After a few months, you should hear back from the SSA about your SSDI benefits application. If the agency denies your initial application, don’t be surprised. The process can take time and many initial applications are denied.
More than half of the Americans who apply for SSDI benefits receive them eventually. Still, the initial SSDI benefits acceptance rate in New York is only 30 to 40%, and the SSA’s acceptance rate drops even lower in certain states.
If your initial SSDI benefits application falls flat, you’ll have the right to file an appeal. You can try to navigate this portion of the Social Security disability review process on your own, but support can come in handy. Why not work with an experienced Social Security disability lawyer in NYC and iron out the details of your case?
A Social Security disability lawyer also helps you steer clear of the potential pitfalls of filing an SSDI benefits application without legal assistance.
Hiring the Right Social Security Disability Lawyer in New York
The SSA gives you the right to hire a lawyer to help you work through the Social Security disability review process. Take full advantage of it! Guidance may improve the odds of you receiving an approval letter from the SSA after submitting your SSDI benefits application.
You also have the right to hire a lawyer midway through the process if the agency denies your application. Your legal team can review your case and assist you in filing an appeal in an attempt to convince the SSA to reconsider its denial of your application. You’ll also have the latest information on any Social Security policy changes that may be impacting your application.
The reconsideration portion of the process takes about seven months on average. Finding the right Social Security disability lawyer will be helpful. You’ll likely spend a while working with them in the months and possibly even years to come.
Do You Need Help With the Social Security Disability Review Process? Contact Our Lawyer Today
You can take certain steps to boost the chances of your Social Security disability benefits application gaining approval. For example, you won’t want to underestimate how much filling out the application correctly influences the outcomes. You can also provide the SSA with your most current medical records to speed things up.
Even so, enlisting a knowledgeable lawyer makes the Social Security disability review process seem less complicated. You can contact Pyrros, Serres, & Rupwani at (718) 626-7730 for help applying for the Social Security disability benefits you need?
FAQs
What do our clients want to know about the social security disability applications and review process? Here are the most common questions that come up for Pyrros, Serres, & Rupwani.
Do I Need To Hire A Social Security Disability Lawyers in NYC To File for SSDI Benefits?
No, you do not need to hire a Social Security disability lawyer in New York to file for SSDI benefits, but it may streamline the Social Security disability evaluation process and increase your chance of being approved for benefits.
Should I Reapply for Social Security Disability Benefits in New York If I’m Initially Denied Them?
No, you shouldn’t just reapply for Social Security disability benefits in New York if the agency denies you access. The next step is to ask the Social Security Administration to reconsider its ruling or appeal the SSA’s decision at a hearing before an administrative judge.
Is It Worth Hiring A Social Security Disability Lawyer in New York?
Yes, it is well worth hiring a Social Security disability lawyer in NYC, especially in the reconsideration or appeal stages of your Social Security disability review process. Legal insight during these proceedings is often invaluable.