Do I have to be permanently disabled to get Social
Security disability benefits?
No. You must have been disabled for at least a year or be expected to be
disabled for at least a year or have a condition that can be expected to
result in death.
I
have several health problems, but no single one disables me. It is the
combination that disables me. Can I get Social Security?
Social Security is supposed to consider the combination of impairments
that you have. Many Social Security disability claimants have more than one
health problem and the combined effects of all of the health problems must
be considered.
I am disabled now, but I expect that I will be able to
return to work after I recover. Should I file for Social Security disability
benefits?
If you think you will be out of work for a year or
more you should file for Social Security. Even if you return to work, you
may still be able to get benefits for the time you were off work.
Does my age affect whether the Social Security
Administration finds me disabled?
Your age is a very important factor in determining eligibility for
disability benefits. An older person will have a better chance of qualifying
for benefits than a younger person with the exact same condition(s).
However, younger people should not be discouraged from applying for
benefits. If you have a disabling disease or condition, you should apply for
benefits no matter how young or old you are.
The VA says I am disabled, so why is Social Security
denying my claim?
SSA and VA are separate government agencies. SSA does not consider VA
decisions binding on it. Social Security and VA have very different
standards for approving disability claims. SSA will look at your case and
make its own decision about whether you are disabled.
I am partially disabled. Can I receive partial
disability benefits from Social Security?
No. For Social Security disability benefits, you are either disabled or
not disabled. There are no percentages of disability, nor any percentages of
disability benefits.
I am disabled by mental illness. Can I get benefits
because of my mental illness?
Yes, you can get disability benefits based on mental illness .
I am disabled. I need help with medical bills even more
than I need a cash income. How do I get help with medical bills?
If you are awarded SSDI benefits, you will become eligible for Medicare.
If you are awarded SSI, you become eligible for Medicaid.
Can alcoholics and drug addicts get Social Security
disability benefits?
It depends. Alcoholics and drug addicts have heart attacks, get cancer
or get sick in other ways just like everyone else. Alcoholics and drug
addicts who become disabled separate from their alcoholism or drug addiction
can become eligible for Social Security disability benefits.
I know someone who is on Social Security disability and
he does not look disabled. Why is s/he getting benefits?
When it comes to disability, looks can be very deceiving. There are many
people who look quite healthy but who are disabled. For instance, many
individuals who suffer from very severe psychiatric illness are physically
healthy and able to do things such as mow their yards. Just because someone
does not look disabled does not mean that they are not disabled.
Our lawyers handle all types
of claims for Social Security Disability - Social Security Disability
Insurance, Supplemental Security Income,
children's Supplemental Security Income. We also handle appeals - to the Appeals Council and Federal Court.
If you want to speak to a lawyer in Colorado
Springs about
your Social Security disability case, you have several
options-you can fill out our online
Social Security evaluation form,
call
us, or
e-mail
us, and a Colorado Springs attorney will evaluate your case for FREE.
We
have many clients from around Southern Colorado including Alamosa, Buena Vista, Colorado
Springs, Durango,
Salida, Lamar, La Junta, Pueblo and Walsenburg.
We have helped thousands of people just
like you get the benefits they deserve.
