When Is a Person Considered Disabled by Social Security Disability?

For Social Security disability or SSI purposes, to be considered disabled, a person must have an impairment, either medical, psychological, or psychiatric in nature.

What Is the Difference Between Social Security Disability (SSDI) and SSI?

Both SSI and SSDI disability programs offer cash benefits for disabled individuals, but the financial eligibility requirements are very different.

How to Qualify for Disability (What Happens at DDS)

Before making a decision, the DDS claims examiner orders medical records from your doctors and other medical providers and may call you for more information about your work or medical history.

When Should You Apply for Social Security Disability or SSI?

I've just gotten to the point to where I can no longer work because of pain. Should I apply for disability benefits right away?

What's the Best Way to Apply for Social Security Disability or SSI?

There are currently three methods available to potential disability claimants.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Decision for Social Security Disability?

It can take a month to two years to get approved for disability benefits. The more serious your disability is, the more likely you are to get approved quickly.

Disability Determination Services and Social Security Disability Claims

Examiners at DDS decides both Social Security Disability (SSD) claims and SSI (Supplemental Security Income) disability claims.

What Medical Evidence Is Required by Social Security Disability?

For a Social Security disability (or SSI) case, medical evidence takes many forms, including physician treatment notes, mental health records, bloodwork panels, and reports of imaging studies (MRI, CAT scan, and XRAY).

Can Certain Medical Conditions Get You Approved for Disability Automatically?

There are conditions for which disability is automatically approved if you fulfill the listed requirements.

What Does a Social Security Claims Representative Do on a Disability Claim?

Social Security claims representatives performs interviews with Social Security disability claimants and processes the claim.

If I Can Continue to Work Part Time But Not Full Time, Can I Get Disability Benefits?

Generally, if you can't sustain regular full-time work, Social Security is supposed to approve you for disability benefits. But not in all cases.

What to Do If Your Social Security Disability Case Is Denied

If you are denied on your Social Security Disability or SSI benefit claim, you should request an appeal immediately, within the 60-day deadline.

How Long Do Social Security Disability Appeals Take?

As with initial SSD and SSI applications for benefits, there is simply no way to know how long a disability appeal with the Social Security administration will take. This is due to several facts. First, disability cases do not have deadlines (despite the fact that the Social Security office will often says that it will take 90-120 days for processing a decision).

Will I Have to File More than One Social Security Disability Appeal?

Generally, the rule is this: If you are denied on your Initial Claim for disability benefits, you will probably be denied on your first appeal (the Reconsideration) as well...

Totally and Permanently Disabled, Why Can't I Get Social Security Disability?

The definition of disability in workers' comp is much different than in Social Security disability.

Talk to a Disability Lawyer

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Nolo's Guide to Social Security Disability

Written by a former SSA medical consultant, Nolo's Guide to Social Security Disability is the essential book for anyone dealing with a long-term or permanent disability.