If you recently became severely disabled and are no longer able to work because of it, seeking disability benefits from the Social Security Administration could be key to maintaining your overall well-being and quality of life. Unfortunately, as anyone who has ever tried to obtain Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) knows, the application process for these kinds of benefits, which includes the assistance you already paid for through your past income taxes, is a lot harder in practice than in theory.
Guidance from knowledgeable legal representation can make a world of difference in how efficiently you get through the process of applying for Social Security disability in Summerlin. Beyond helping you construct the strongest and most comprehensive application possible, our seasoned SSDI attorneys at Shook & Stone could guide you through each step of the application process. If necessary, we could also assist with appealing an unfavorable decision from the SSA.
How to Prove Eligibility for Social Security Disability Benefits
In order to receive benefits through the Social Security Disability Insurance program, applicants must prove that they meet both of the core criteria for program eligibility. An applicant must establish to the SSA that they are “disabled” based on the SSA’s definition of that term. Applicants also must show that they have the requisite number of work credits based on their pre-disability employment history. A qualified Social Security lawyer can go into further detail about exactly how the SSA determines eligibility during a confidential consultation.
Establishing the nature and severity of a qualifying disability generally requires extensive medical documentation, including all available records from past treating physicians, relevant lab and test results, contact information for current treating physicians and facilities, and detailed information about all medications the applicant is currently taking. As for work requirements, applicants should be prepared to submit a written summary of what type of work they did and when they performed that work, as well as copies of their most recent W-2 form and/or federal tax return.
Finally, applicants will need to know their Social Security number and provide documentation establishing their age at the time their application is filed. If an applicant has any family members they would like to make eligible for benefits through their application, they should be prepared to establish each family member’s age, relationship, and Social Security number as well.
Basic Steps in the SSDI Application Process
Applicants in Summerlin, Rhodes Ranch, Sovana, and elsewhere in Nevada who are at least 18 years old, are not already receiving Social Security benefits of any kind, and who have not recently had a Social Security benefits application denied can apply for Social Security disability through the SSA’s online application. Applications can also be made over the phone by calling 1-800-772-1213—or 1-800-325-0778 for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing—or by applying in person at the nearest Social Security office. For most residents of Summerlin, this is at 1250 S Buffalo Drive #150 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
After receiving all necessary application materials, the SSA will provide either electronic or mail confirmation of receipt and then review the application. The SSA will then notify the applicant by mail of its decision, although it is worth emphasizing that this process very often takes several months, sometimes over a year.
Consider Working with a Summerlin Attorney While Applying for Social Security Disability
Providing the requisite documentation and proving your eligibility for Social Security disability benefits are just two elements of what is usually an immensely complex application process. It is not uncommon for first-time applicants to be rejected immediately, and then to end up not getting benefits at all because they are unfamiliar with how the application process works.
This is where assistance from capable and compassionate legal counsel can make all the difference in the world. Call us at Shook & Stone today to learn more about how an SSDI lawyer could help with applying for Social Security disability in Summerlin.
