Many people do not realize they are eligible to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Misunderstandings and confusing government processes prevent people from receiving the disability benefits they deserve. Unfortunately, many Americans exhaust their own savings and financial resources before finally applying for these benefits. Even worse, some people go without necessary medical care that could have eased medical problems, helping them to live better and possibly get back to work sooner.

People with chronic, debilitating disabilities and illnesses often face overwhelming difficulties due to their unfortunate medical condition(s). Aggravating the problem, living on no income or a reduced income can keep these individuals from receiving the healthcare they deserve. This article looks at the confusion surrounding applying for SSDI benefits and shows how Social Security disability benefits can make a huge difference in people’s lives. (more…)

When an individual has been seriously injured in an accident in the workplace, he or she may be entitled to permanent disability benefits, depending on the type and severity of the injury and other factors. Permanent disability benefits are worker’s compensation benefits for these individuals and there are three categories that the injured worker may fall into.

The first category is statutorial permanent disability. If someone has lost both hands, both arms, both feet, both legs, both eyes, or the permanent and complete loss of the use of any of those body parts, such an injury would be classified as statutorial permanent disability, entitling the injured worker to benefits. Even if the individual is able to work after the injury, he or she can still receive these benefits. For example, if you lost both legs, or the use of them, but are able to continue in your job as a bookkeeper, you can still receive permanent disability benefits. (more…)

Disability Insurance is often the forgotten protection. Anyone can become sick or hurt. Whether you are employed or a small business owner, you can become sick or hurt, unable to generate an income, and find yourself financially devastated. This type of insurance is designed to protect you from such a dire situation.

According to the Social Security Administration, seventy percent of the private sector work force has no long term disability insurance. Moreover, three in ten workers entering the work force today will become disabled before retiring. Without a doubt, most people own life insurance to provide income for their loved ones in the event of a premature death. However, death due to the big three: hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes have dropped by thirty-two percent. Disabilities due to these conditions are up by fifty-five percent. (more…)

Many people are thankful that the Social Security Administration (SSA) provides support for individuals who are disabled and have difficulty maintaining full-time employment to support themselves and their families. Disabilities may be present from birth, or the person may have suffered injury during childhood or adulthood. People may have been involved in car accidents, work-related incidents, or may have been wounded while serving their country.

Regardless of the cause, people who are unable to support themselves because of physical or mental disabilities may be eligible for benefits from the SSA. The process usually requires the applicant to completely fill out an official application for benefits. He or she should include a statement regarding the injury and should send copies of medical records and work-history. In many cases, the SSA will need to see the person’s work history to determine if they qualify for compensation. (more…)

Losing your mobility because of an unexpected accident related to work or sport – that is the traditional explanation of the word ‘disability’ for most people. Nevertheless, just look at the statistical figures and you will see that accidents are accountable for only about a half the amount of handicapped people than serious sicknesses such as cancer, diabetes or heart diseases.

You and becoming handicapped?

If you are younger than 65, your chances of becoming long-term handicapped due to an accident or disease are double than the chances that you will die because of these causes. Naturally the chances of becoming handicapped gradually raises with age:

* out of every 100 children up to 14 years, 3 are classified as handicapped

* 4% of young people between 15 and 24 years become handicapped

* 7 in 100 adults between 25 to 44 become handicapped

* 17% of adults between 45 and 64 years become handicapped

* 40% of adults of 65 years and older become handicapped (more…)

A lot of people don’t bother getting disability insurance. They figure they don’t need it. However, this type of insurance can really make a difference should something happen to you that kept you from working for any length of time. Most people can’t afford to go without working for more than a few weeks or a few months. However, a difficult pregnancy or a long illness can keep you out of work for longer than that. Unless you have a lot of savings for emergencies or a lot of money in general, it would be a good idea to get this type of insurance.

Many people think that the disability insurance provided by their employer will be enough, but most of these policies have a maximum amount that they pay out per month, which is usually about 60 percent of your salary or even less if you have a pretty high salary since there is a cap on how much they will pay. Also, the benefits you get from work are taxed, so you will end up with even less than the 60 percent you might be expecting. A supplemental policy might be necessary in order to meet all of your expenses. Check into the insurance that is provided by your employer to see what the terms and conditions are so you are prepared should something happen. (more…)

Physical and mental disabilities can often cause difficulty for the affected individuals and may prevent them from working, attending school, and participating in everyday activities. Oftentimes, the disability does not only affect the individual, but also his or her family. Fortunately, the Social Security Administration has a system set up to help provide benefits to relatives of a disabled individual to help with support and financial needs.

Persons may become disabled in many different ways and for many different reasons. Disability may come from accidents, illnesses, or may arise at birth. Some people find that they are still able to perform the duties required by their employer, while others may not be able to work or support themselves or their loved ones. In such cases, the person may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. (more…)

Unexpected medical problems can affect your finances. These could be pregnancy, depression, injuries or recuperation from surgery. If you have any of these, you will have a hard time working for a period of time. There are times you wouldn’t even be able to work at all.

If the latter happens, how would you pay your bills? If you have a family, how would you support them?

This is the very reason why more and more people are opting for individual disability insurance. They are preparing themselves for that situation. If that does happen, then they are prepared. (more…)

Finding the right SSDI representative can help you get through the Social Security disability backlog faster. But first, you need to know what to look for before making this important decision.

#1: What are your options if you want to hire representation?

Typically, there are two major types of paid SSDI representatives: specialized organizations, which has multiple representatives and specialists experienced in handling SSDI claims in local communities across the country and law firms that may or may not have attorneys solely dedicated to SSDI claims.

#2: How knowledgeable and experienced is the organization in representing individuals applying for SSDI? (more…)

The workers’ compensation system is intended to help injured employees address the financial effects of a workplace injury. As such, it is designed to serve as a temporary measure that fulfills a very specific set of needs for an injured worker and his or her family. But in instances where one suffers from an illness or physical ailment that leaves them unable to work for a significant length of time, it is instead the Social Security Disability Insurance system that supplies the necessary relief. The two primary forms of disability are Temporary Partial Disability and Permanent Total Disability.

Since the determinations regarding benefits are made by a government agency, the bureaucratic hoops through which a disabled person must jump are considerable. The filing process is lengthy, and the vast majority of claims are denied upon receipt and review of the initial application for benefits. Commonly, these rejections are due to minor procedural and clerical errors of the submitted claim. But although they can be easily corrected once the problems are drawn to your attention, it still may delay the final approval and distribution of benefits for months, forcing your family to dig deep into savings if you have them.

The Quirks of the Filing Process

One key distinction between the workers’ compensation system and the SSDI benefits scheme as that eligibility for SSDI benefits does not require that your injury have been sustained in the workplace or in the performance of work related tasks. This is a fact that is often confused by workers who are unfamiliar with the structures in place to protect them if they become seriously hurt and one that is essential to ensuring that the appropriate steps are taken in the time allotted by the law. Some important statistics about the disability process to bear in mind are:

* Approximately 30 % of claims are initially approved
* 15 % more are approved upon application for reconsideration
* Nearly 60 % of claims that reach the hearing phase after appeals are approved
* It can be more than 18 months from your initial filing until a final determination is made (more…)