An Honest, Clear Voice In SSI/SSDI Care

Securing Social Security Disability benefits may get harder

On Behalf of | Jan 17, 2020 | Social Security Disability

Lawmakers have proposed changes to the Social Security Disability (SSD) qualifying criteria process that, if passed, would strip many individuals who currently receive benefits of the funds that they rely on for their survival.

The Social Security Administration’s (SSA) procedure for vetting individuals to see if they qualify to receive SSD is quite involved. Their medical ailments generally have to fall on the SSA’s list of disabling conditions, and it has to be either terminal or expected to last more than a year. It’s only if an individual meets these two criteria that they’re generally allowed to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

It can take months or even years for the SSA to get back to an applicant with the status of their application. Many individuals have to submit additional supporting documents then wait for a re-review. A significant number of applicants are denied the first time that they apply for benefits.

The jumping through hoops doesn’t stop there. Individuals who are successfully awarded benefits must regularly undergo continuing disability reviews to verify that they still qualify for benefits. The newly proposed legislation would add a tier for disabled individuals. These recipients would need to undergo more frequent disability reviews every two years.

Lawmakers are giving the public until the end of this month to give their feedback on the proposed bill. Individuals who oppose it argue that the new bill will create more bureaucratic red tape if it gets passed. They argue that the way that the legislation has been written is quite vague. Critics note that it’s unclear what criteria would be used to determine who gets added to this new tier of recipients. They’ve expressed concern that many individuals who need support will lose it.

SSD is intended to help individuals who are suffering from terminal illnesses or who have certain disabling conditions support themselves while they’re unable to work. What they receive often isn’t enough to help them do this though. Applicants often wait months or years to find out that their application for benefits was denied though. These leaves potential recipients in a financial predicament.

This is why you may benefit from having an attorney guide you through the application process. Their experience may save you precious time in your Oklahoma City case.

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