Applying for Disability Through SSI, it is Evaluated The Same as SSD

Social Security administers two disability programs: Social Security Disability (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income disability (SSI). Social Security disability is based upon an individual’s insured status (insured status is earned through work); conversely Supplemental Security Income disability is strictly a need-based program. Naturally, each disability program has its own non-disability rules and guidelines that must be met.

That being said, Social Security uses the same disability medical decision-making process for both programs. In fact, many disability applicants file for SSD and SSI simultaneously and one medical determination is made for both programs.

So just how does the Social Security disability evaluation process work? All Social Security disability applicants must file a disability claim, and this can be done via the internet, phone or an in-office disability appointment at your local Social Security office.

If an applicant chooses to file their disability claim via the internet, they will only be able to file for Social Security disability. Consequently, if an applicant wishes to file for SSI in addition to SSD, they should file their disability claim via a phone interview or in office interview.

Additionally and very importantly (since many applicants miss this), if an applicant files an internet disability claim, they should complete the disability medical forms as well.

A word of caution, a completed medical disability form does not give a protected filing date, so it is important to complete the online disability application as well. For the time being, Social Security in-office interviews and telephone interviews are the most comprehensive methods of completing the needed disability information.

Not matter which method of interview an applicant chooses, the completed disability claim is set to a state agency responsible for making Social Security medical determinations for a decision. Disability examiners develop disability claims through acquiring medical records, questionnaires (from you and a third party), and consultative medical and/or mental examinations.

Once the disability examiner has all the necessary development complete, they will make a disability decision for both SSD and SSI. If an applicant receives a denial for disability benefits, they can appeal the denial. Once again, Social Security uses the same disability process for both SSI and SSD.

In conclusion, Social Security uses the same application and medical disability determination process for both SSD and SSI.






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Social Security Disability Secrets

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Social Security Disability Appeals Time Limit

If your initial disability claim with the Social Security Administration is denied, you will have to begin the Social Security disability appeal process. You have sixty days plus five days for mailing to appeal a Social Security disability denial.

So if your initial disability claim is denied, you need to contact Social Security to obtain the proper appeal paperwork and return that paperwork within the sixty five day appeal period. If you have internet access, you can file your appeal online by filing out the online appeal request (i.e. request for reconsideration or a request for an administrative law judge hearing, depending on the level at which your denial occurred), the disability form 3441 (this is basically an update of your medical information), and print and sign your medical release forms.

Just a reminder -- you must return your signed medical release forms to your local Social Security office even if you file your appeal online. Additionally, you should consider the fact that if you wait the full sixty five days to file your appeal, each time you file you could be adding as much as three or four months to the overall processing time of your claim, which means you will have a longer wait for disability benefits. So it is advisable to quickly complete a return the necessary forms to Social Security.

What if you miss the appeal period deadline? If you miss the appeal period deadline, you may have to begin your disability claim again. However, you may be given good cause for late filing if there is a legitimate reason for being late. You should provide Social Security with a statement as to why you are filing your appeal late. Social Security can consider the fact that you have a severe mental or physical impairment that prevented you from filing your appeal timely, or that you were hospitalized or incarcerated during your appeal period, or that you did not receive your disability denial notice.

If Social Security is able to grant you good cause for the late filing of your disability appeal, you will be able to continue your disability claim. A word of caution: it is easier to receive good cause at the reconsideration appeal level than at the ALJ (administrative law judge hearing) appeal level. In fact, unless there is a truly good reason for a late filing, many administrative law judges will routinely deny good cause.

If you feel you will have a hard time completing and returning your disability appeal paperwork, you might want to obtain the services of a Social Security disability representative (non-attorney or attorney representatives).

A good Social Security disability representative will file your appeal timely and should you have to attend an administrative law judge hearing, will present your disability claim in a way that will be favorable to an approval for disability benefits.






Return to:

Social Security Disability Secrets

Social Security Disability Benefit Questions



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Lyme Disease Cannot Be Passed On From Pets to Humans

Lyme disease, also known as borreliosis, is a tick-borne disease. Deer ticks (both adult and nymphal ticks) pass the disease on to humans and animals when they carry a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. The disease can be passed through handling an infected tick or being bitten by an infected tick.

Many people think that they might be able to ‘catch’ the disease from their pets, but this is not the case. Although an animal can have the disease, they cannot pass it on to a human or another animal. Only a tick can pass on lyme disease. Of course, if you are picking ticks off of your pet, or handling them in any way, then you are at an increased risk for contracting Lyme disease. If your pet is carrying infected ticks into the household, then you are at an increased risk, but if your pet is infected and not carrying ticks inside, then you will not be able to contract the disease. Regularly using tick collars and other tick prevention methods for your animal can decrease the chance of them being brought into your home.

Lyme disease symptoms include a skin rash known as erythema migrans, as well as fatigue, fever, depression and headache. If the disease is not treated it can lead to issues with the heart, joints and nervous system. In most cases the symptoms and infection can be eliminated with antibiotics





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