We Have The Answers To Common Questions Regarding Social Security And Veterans’ Disability Benefits

No. You will not have to sell anything in order to qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Your financial situation is irrelevant to the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) review of your application because Social Security disability is not a needs-based program.

Whether you live in a multi-million dollar property, in Section 8 housing, or something in between is of no concern to the SSA. You will not be asked to downsize your home or your financial assets.

What, Then, Does Matter to the SSA?

The SSA may not be concerned about your financial situation, but it is very concerned about your health. In order to qualify for Social Security disability benefits you must prove that you are unable to work because of your physical condition and that you will be unable to work for at least twelve months or that your condition will result in death. You may be able to do this by showing that your medical condition is included in the Listing of Impairments, by proving that your medical condition is equal in severity to a condition included in the Listing of Impairments, or by proving that you are unable to work. You should expect to supply the SSA with supporting medical documentation and a complete application.

Get Social Security and Stay in Your Own Home

You should not—and do not—have to decide between the disability benefits that you’ve earned and staying in your own home. Instead, learn what Social Security disability is really about and how it may help you by reading our FREE Social Security Disability Fact Sheet.

We are sorry to hear of your husband’s passing. Please know that you are not alone. Many families experience this same problem. Your loved one filed for Social Security disability because his serious condition that kept him from working was likely to last more than a year or result in death. Then, the Social Security disability application took longer than expected or the applicant’s condition deteriorated faster than expected. Either way, the result was that the application was still pending before the Social Security Administration (SSA) when the applicant died.

The Process May Continue After Your Loved One’s Death

As the surviving spouse, you may be able to continue the Social Security disability application after your loved one has died. While you will not be able to get monthly payments for any time after your loved one’s death, you may be able to get payments for the months that your loved one was eligible for Social Security disability prior to his death. This may be a significant amount of money if the application process took a long time or if your loved one was involved in the Social Security appeals process after an initial denial of his application.

Should You Continue the Application Process?

The decision is yours to make and depends largely on how many months of benefits you think you may be able to recover. We hope that this information helps you make an informed decision and we invite you to read our FREE Social Security Disability Fact Sheet if you have additional questions about eligibility or the application process.

You know you have a mental illness. You even went to the doctor seeking treatment and the doctor made some suggestions to you. However, you haven’t followed through on those suggestions consistently. You may be inconsistent about taking your medications or you may fail to show up for follow-up appointments, for example. You don’t mean to do these things; they just happen, and if your lack of action is a symptom of your condition, it shouldn’t be held against you.

Exceptions to Treatment Requirements

Generally, the Social Security Administration (SSA) may deny an application for Social Security disability benefits if the applicant failed to follow through on doctors’ recommended treatments. There are exceptions to that general rule, however. The SSA cannot hold your lack of treatment against you if your mental health condition—the one for which you are seeking disability benefits—prevents you from consistently getting treatment.

Additionally, the SSA should not hold a lack of treatment against you if:

• You couldn’t afford the treatment.
• The treatment was against your religion.
• You are able to make lifestyle modifications to manage your symptoms without treatment.
• The side effects of the medication are worse than the treatment.

Yet, the SSA may try and use your lack of treatment as a reason why you should be denied benefits. Accordingly, it is important to know your rights and to get the help you need to fully complete an accurate Social Security disability application. To learn more about how to do that, please start a live chat with us today.

Maybe. Not everyone with sickle cell disease will qualify for Social Security disability benefits. However, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has a specific criterion in the Listing of Impairments for sickle cell disease.

If you suffer from sickle cell disease or one of its variants then, according to Section 7.05 of the SSA’s Listing of Impairments, you may qualify for Social Security disability if one of the following is true:

• You had documented painful thrombotic crises at least three times in the five months before applying.​
• You required extended hospitalization (not just emergency care) at least three times in the 12 months before applying.
• You have chronic severe anemia with a persistent hematocrit of 26 percent or less.
• Your impairment qualifies you under a different criterion related to the affected body system.

Of course, you may also qualify in other ways. For example, if you can prove that your medical condition prevents you from engaging in substantial gainful activities or if you can prove that your sickle disease is medically equal to that of another listing then you may also qualify for Social Security disability.

The path to Social Security disability benefits is not always a straight one. It can be confusing, it can be difficult, and it can be frustrating. However, you don’t have to do it alone. You have the right to get help. If you have questions about the Social Security disability eligibility process or about what you should do to protect your rights, please start a live chat with us today.

Yes, you may be able to apply again. As you know all too well, the symptoms and the severity of multiple sclerosis can change over time. When you first applied for Social Security disability, you may have had a multiple sclerosis diagnosis, but you may not have qualified for Social Security disability benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) may have found that you could still work.

But Now You Can’t and It Might be Time to Reapply for Benefits

If you recently applied for benefits then you may be able to appeal the SSA’s denial of your application. However, it sounds like several months, or more, have passed since your initial Social Security disability application and that your medical condition has changed significantly. Accordingly, you may need to reapply for benefits with the new medical information.

How to Improve Your Chances of Getting Approved

You know that you can’t work, but the SSA is not going to simply take your word for it. Instead, you are going to have to provide specific documentation about your condition and about your work history so that the SSA has the necessary facts to approve your application. This can be confusing and time consuming; however, it is important. If you make a mistake or forget a piece of documentation then your otherwise valid application may be denied by the SSA. Thus, it is important to take the time to fill out a complete and accurate application now so that you can get the benefits that you deserve.

You ask an important question, because it is important for you to provide the right medical documentation with your Social Security disability application. Otherwise, the Social Security Administration (SSA) could deny your application and you could be left without benefits that you deserve and need now that your physical condition is keeping you from working.

What Information Do You Need?

That depends on your disability. The Social Security Blue Book Listing of Impairmentsdescribes the specific medical documentation that you need to qualify for various conditions.

For example, if you are applying for disability under Section 4.00 Cardiovascular Impairments then you should be prepared to include the detailed reports of the following information with your application:

• Your medical history
• Physical examinations
• Lab work
• Prescribed treatments and your responses to those treatments

Typically, you will need a medical record of at least three months—though more or less may be necessary based on your specific situation. Additionally, you should provide any specific information listed in the section that applies to your cardiovascular disability. Specific test results and treatments may be required based on the cardiovascular condition that you are claiming as a disabling condition.

Other documentation will be necessary if you have a different kind of disability. If you have any questions about what documentation is necessary to help support your disability application then it is important to find out the answer before you submit an application. Failure to provide all the required medical data could result in your application being denied.

You were relieved when you got the news that the Social Security Administration had approved your Social Security disability application. The monthly Social Security disability benefits are important to you and to your family.

Accordingly, you may be concerned when you receive notice from the SSA that your case is going to be reviewed.

Three Reasons You Shouldn’t Panic

Before you let your mind jump to the worst-case scenario or you spend your weekend deciding what assets to sell to maintain your standard of living, it is important to know three things about continuing disability reviews. Specifically, it is important to know that:

• Continuing disability reviews are routine. Most adults have their claims reviewed every three to seven years. However, the SSA can decide to review a case sooner or later.
• Generally, it is easier to be determined disabled during a continuing disability review than during the initial application process. If the SSA determines that you have had no medical improvement then your status will not be changed and you will continue to receive benefits. If the SSA determines that you have had medical improvement then the SSA will consider whether you have improved enough to work.
• You may be able to get benefits if the SSA finds you no longer disabled and you appeal. You may have to fill out specific SSA forms depending on how you decide to pursue an appeal, but you may be able to continue receiving benefits during the appeals process.

You will be notified of a continuing disability review by mail. While it is not something to be feared, it should be something that you take seriously.

Yes, you may qualify for Social Security disability if you have anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. You probably already know more about this condition than you ever wanted to know. You know that anaplastic thyroid carcinoma affects only about 2% of people with thyroid cancer. You know that the typical survival time is measured in months rather than years. You know that you are very sick, that you are unable to work, and that you want to spend as much time with your family and friends as possible.

You Know That You Never Want to Be a Burden

Social Security disability may be an option for you if you can’t work during this very difficult time. Patients with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma currently meet the requirements for section 13.09A of the Social Security Disability Listing of Impairments. This means that you may qualify for Social Security disability if you:

• Supply a pathology report from a thyroid biopsy specimen that confirms your diagnosis of anaplastic carcinoma
• Fill out a complete and accurate Social Security disability application

You will not automatically qualify for benefits. Thus, the application process is an important one. If you fill the application out accurately and completely, you may be able to recover the benefits that you deserve, the benefits that can make your life more comfortable and help your family during this very difficult time.

To learn more about how to apply for Social Security disability, please review our related links or start a live chat with us today.

Si fue diagnosticado(a) con diabetes tipo II y considera que su condición fue ocasionada o empeorada por su servicio militar, es posible que llene los requisitos para recibir beneficios por discapacidad de la Administración para Veteranos. En la actualidad, alrededor de 270,000 veteranos reciben beneficios por discapacidad en razón de su diabetes, la mayoría de los cuales son veteranos de la guerra de Vietnam que estuvieron expuestos al Agente Naranja.

Para presentar exitosamente una reclamación por discapacidad ante la Administración para Veteranos sobre la base de diabetes tipo II , usted debe probar la relación entre su enfermedad y su servicio militar activo. Si tiene un historial médico que muestra que usted desarrolló esta enfermedad durante su servicio o dentro del año de su regreso a casa – o que sufrió síntomas no diagnosticados asociados con la diabetes durante este tiempo – es posible que tenga un caso. Asimismo, si tiene alguna otra lesión o enfermedad relacionada con su servicio que puede demostrar condujo a su diagnóstico de diabetes, también podría tener un caso.

Si prestó servicio militar en la guerra de Vietnam y, en algún momento, pisó pié en Vietnam durante ese servicio, el Departamento de Asuntos para Veteranos supone que usted estuvo expuesto al Agente Naranja, un herbicida tóxico que los profesionales médicos han asociado a una variedad de enfermedades, incluyendo la diabetes tipo II. Los veteranos que han estado expuestos al Agente Naranja y que padecen de diabetes llenan los requisitos para recibir una compensación por discapacidad.

Some kinds of government benefits, including some types of Social Security benefits, may depend, in part, on your other assets. However, the Social Security Administration (SSA) does not consider your other assets, such as inheritances, when determining eligibility for Social Security disability benefits.

Why?

Social Security disability is not based on financial need. Instead, your Social Security disability application was approved by the SSA because you have a qualifying disability that prevents you from engaging in substantial gainful activity (or earning an income) and you had paid into the Social Security system for the required amount of time. The SSA did not consider your assets when processing your Social Security disability application, and it will not go back and reconsider your eligibility based on your inheritance.

Your loved one left you an inheritance in order to make your life easier and to help you with your financial needs. You have the right to accept that gift without fear that you will lose your Social Security disability benefits.

Have Other Questions About Your Continued Eligibility?

Do not wait until the SSA notifies you of a potential problem to get help. Instead, stay informed about your rights and be confident in your claims. To find out more, take some time to watch our free videos, download a free copy of our important report, Social Security Disability: What You Need to Know, or contact us directly via this website to get your individual questions answered.