The Basics About Disability Benefits
The SSDI program pays benefits to you and certain if you are insured. This means that you worked long enough and recently enough – and paid Social Security taxes on your earnings. The SSI program pays benefits to adults and children who meet our requirements for a qualifying disability and have limited income and resources.
While these two programs are different, the medical requirements are the same. If you meet the nonmedical requirements, monthly benefits are paid if you have a medical condition expected to last at least one year or result in death.
Application Status Updates After The Initial Application But Prior To The Alj Hearing
Application status updates following the initial application can be obtained by contacting the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review disability examiner. However, the disability examiner can only tell you whether the case isscheduled, ready to schedule or currently being processed. They do not make a decision on the case and cannot tell you whether the case is approved or not.
Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation
What is Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation ?
PEUC is a federal Continued Assistance Act program that extends benefits to those who have exhausted state unemployment benefits. This benefit ended September 4, 2021.
What does it mean to exhaust state unemployment benefits?
A person exhausts state unemployment benefits when he or she either draws all available benefits that could be paid, or reaches the end of the benefit year and is not monetarily eligible for a new benefit year. Also, the individual cannot be eligible to file a claim in any other state.
How long does PEUC run?
Under the March 2020 CARES Act, the PEUC extension program allowed an additional 13 weeks of benefits and the program expired on December 26, 2020. The Continued Assistance Act extended this program to expire the week ending March 13, 2021. Under the new American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 , the PEUC program expired the week ending September 4, 2021.
How do I apply for PEUC?
Once your state unemployment claim has a zero balance, you can apply for PEUC on our website at www.GetKansasBenefits.gov.
PEUC applications can only be filed online at this time.
Do I have to apply for the extension provided under the new ARP Act?
No. If you were previously filing for PEUC benefits, you do not have to file a new application for the additional weeks. You just need to continue filing weekly claims each week you are unemployed.
How much does PEUC pay each week?
PEUC is available for the following periods:
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Missing Documentation Could Stall Your Claim
Not having all the proper documentation can stall your application at any point in the process. If you are missing information or medical evidence, your claim could be stuck:
- At the local Social Security field office, where examiners look at your technical qualifications or
- At the Office of Disability Determination Services, where SSA employees order and evaluate your medical evidence to determine if you suffer a disabling impairment.
If the SSA does need information from your doctor, additional evidence, or other documentation, you can get it to the organization faster than if you wait for the mailed notification to reach you. The quicker the SSA gets the information it needs, the faster it can make a determination about your disability.
Summary Of Benefit Programs:
Social Security Disability Insurance
This program requires a person with a disability to have worked for a substantial period in employment covered by Social Security. Beginning at age 18, a dependent, adult child of a worker who is retired, disabled or deceased, may be eligible for benefits if the child became permanently disabled before age 22. Benefits also may be paid to a widow or surviving divorced spouse. SSDI is funded through the Social Security Trust Fund.
Supplemental Security Income
This federally funded program is based on financial need – it is not necessary for persons with disabilities to have worked under Social Security. Basic medical criteria for eligibility are the same for both SSI and SSDI. Recipients of benefits under both programs also may be eligible for Medicaid or Medicare benefits.
Medicaid
Medicaid is a jointly funded, Federal-State health insurance program for low-income and needy people. It covers children, the aged, blind, and/or disabled and other people who are eligible to receive federally assisted income maintenance payments. A separate application for Medicaid must be filed through the Virginia Department of Social Services .
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Checking On Initial Applications Or Reconsideration Claims
First, you send your disability claim to your local Social Security office. Second, the local office processes your application. Third, your claim is sent to Disability Determination Services or DDS. DDS assigns a claims representative to your case. The person assigned to your case is the claims adjudicator.
Even if you need to check the status of your claim at the initial application or on reconsideration , it is best to speak directly with the claims adjudicator assigned to your case. DDS often will include your claims adjudicators name and phone number on letters and forms that they send you. Your claims adjudicator will give you the status of your claim and tell you what information they are waiting for. However, the claims adjudicator cannot tell you Social Securitys decision on your claim. You will receive a decision letter in the mail.
Lost Wage Assistance Program
What was the Lost Wages Assistance Program ?
On August 8, 2020, the President issued an executive memorandum authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to expend up to $44 billion from its Disaster Relief Fund to provide supplemental benefits to Americans receiving unemployment benefits, creating the Lost Wages Assistance Program . The program provided eligible claimants with an additional $300 in benefits for each of the qualifying weeks. LWAP was only available for the weeks ending August 1, 2020 through September 5, 2020.
Who was eligible for the additional Lost Wages Assistance ?
The program was limited in scope and, due to federal restrictions, was available only to those persons who provided self-certification that they are unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable or unavailable to work due to disruptions caused by COVID-19 and who received at least $100 from a qualifying underlying unemployment benefit program.
An individual was determined to have received at least $100 per week for purposes of being an eligible claimant if the individuals weekly benefit amount as provided on the monetary determination is at least $100 . In addition, the week in question must have been considered compensable.
When did the additional Lost Wages Assistance start, and how long did it last?
Are the LWA benefits taxable?
Yes. These benefits are subject to state and federal taxes.
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Earn Ssa Work Credits In Some Countries
You may not have enough credits from your work in the United States to qualify for retirement benefits. But, you may be able to count your work credits from another country. The SSA has agreements with 24 countries. If you earned credits in one of those countries, they can help you qualify for U.S. benefits.
What Types Of Claims And Appeals Can I Track With This Tool
You can use this tool to check the status of a VA claim or appeal for compensation. Track your:
- Disability compensation
- Veterans or Survivors Pension benefits
- Special monthly compensation
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
- Burial allowance to help pay for a Veterans burial and funeral expenses
You can also use this tool to check the status of a claim or appeal for other benefits like these:
- GI Bill or other education benefits
- Veteran Readiness and Employment
- A home loan Certificate of Eligibility
- A Specially Adapted Housing or Special Housing Adaptation grant
- A pre-need determination of eligibility to be buried in a VA national cemetery
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Disability Status Online: Requesting A Hearing
If Social Security denies your reconsideration appeal, you then request a hearing in front of an administrative law judge. Social Security sends your case to the hearing office, called the Office of Hearings Operations . OHO assigns an administrative law judge to your case. You will receive a letter telling you of the date, time and location of your hearing. It may take several months for OHO to schedule your hearing.
If You Complete Your Request On Paper
Sign and date your written request and submit it:
Reconsiderations can take several months to complete, depending on the case. Service Canada will review your application and any new information you submit in support of your request and send you a decision by mail.
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How Working With An Attorney Can Help Your Case
Whether youre applying for disability for the first time or appealing a denial, a trained Social Security disability lawyer can not only help you qualify for benefits, but also ensure that you receive the maximum disability benefits amounts based on your eligibility.
To find out more, contact Social Security Disability Advocates USA by calling . Representatives are standing by 24/7 via LiveChat to answer any questions you may have. You can also request you free, no obligation consultation right now by completing this convenient form.
This is attorney advertising. SSDA, LLC is a group of attorneys that pursues claims for Social Security Disability benefits on behalf of its clients against the Social Security Administration. SSDA, LLC is in no way a part of the Social Security Administration. Further, the information on this blog is for general information purposes only. Nothing herein should be taken as legal advice. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, a representative-client relationship.
What To Do If There Is A Delay In Your Disability Claim
Its crucial to be updated with theprogress of your claim so that you can address any snags immediately. If you havent received the official mail that you are expecting, dont hesitate to contact the SSA or your local Social Security office. Also double-check that you have provided them with your correct address if you have moved during your application, ensure that you have updated your mailing address to the new one.
If there is any concern that is delaying your claim, get the assistance of a disability attorney. Thedisability application process can get complex, especially if you have been previously denied. Your lawyer can help you iron out delays and avoid further mistakes down the road.
Contact us at the Gillette Law Group for disability application assistance in Virginia. We have helped numerous Virginians succeed in their disability claims, and we can help you, too. Call us at 873-2604 today.
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When To Start Checking Your Ssdi Application Status
Its good practice to begin periodically checking on the status of your disability claim approximately a month after submitting it. Doing so will make sure you know as soon as possible if the approval process has stalled for any reason, like needing additional medical documentation of your condition. The sooner you address potential issues, the more quickly and efficiently your application will be processed. There are multiple ways to check your SSDI application status, whether youre computer savvy or not.
Check the Status of Your SSDI Claim Online
The fastest and easiest way to check your Social Security disability claim status is to log in to your my Social Security account. Even if you didnt complete the application process online, you can still create a my Social Security account after the fact in order to view the current status of your claim.
To create an account, youll need to provide a valid email address, your Social Security number, and a U.S. mailing address. You must also be at least 18 years old. Here is the step-by-step process to accessing your claim status using your my Social Security account.
Talk To Your Social Security Disability Lawyer
Checking Your Claim Status After You Request A Hearing
After reconsideration, the next level of appeal is a hearing before an administrative law judge . Once you submit a request for an ALJ hearing, the claim no longer stays with the DDS. The case will move on to the hearing office, called the Office of Hearings Operations , where it awaits a hearing date.
After you file a request for a disability hearing, you may not hear anything for many months. Many Social Security disability hearing offices are so backlogged with cases that it takes a year to get a hearing. But it’s still worth it to check on the status of your case at least once after you request a hearing, to make sure the hearing office hasn’t lost your appeal paperwork.
If your case is at the hearing level, contacting the Social Security office where you filed your claim to check the status of your hearing request won’t help. The hearing office functions independently from Social Security. Social Security office personnel will typically have little information about the status of a hearing request.
Instead, make a “status call” on a hearing request to the hearing office itself. You can find phone numbers to the many hearing offices on OHO’s website at www.ssa.gov/appeals/ho_locator.html or in our state articles, which list contact information for the hearing offices.
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Ssa Expedited Processing For Veterans
Veterans may qualify for programs from SSA that expedite disability decisions:
How To Check Your Social Security Disability Claim Status
The Social Security disability application process can seem to go on forever when youre awaiting a decision. In addition, trying to track down your Social Security disability claim status can be downright confusing if you dont know where to look. Find out how to check on an SSDI claim application status at every step of the process with this guide from Social Security Disability Advocates USA.
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How Should You Check On The Status Of Your Disability Application
In order to check the status of your Disability status, you can:
- Speak with the examiner who has been assigned to review your case. Youll usually find them in the Disability Determination Services Division .
- Check your claim status on the Social Security Website. You can go to SSA.gov to check your Social Security Disability status online.
- Contact a Social Security Disability attorney. Your lawyer can call the DDS or SSA on your behalf to get you the pertinent information.
The best way to get the information you need is for you or your attorney to call DDSD directly. When you contact them, let them know that you are checking on the status of your application. They should be able to tell you whether a decision has been made or if your case is still pending. Never go into details that may hurt your case. Instead, just limit your conversation to the status of your case.
Claim decisions may just be another piece of the workday for the examiner assigned to your case, but we know that waiting for an answer can be stressful for you. If you handle the claim yourself, make a written note to check back 30 days after filing. You dont want to forget to follow up.
Company Information
Disability Help Center San Diego 1833 Fourth Ave. San Diego, CA 92101
Report The Death Of A Social Security Or Medicare Beneficiary
You must report the death of a family member receiving Social Security or Medicare benefits. The Social Security Administration processes death reports for both. Find out how you can report a death and how to cancel benefit payments. In addition to canceling SSA and Medicare benefits, find out what other benefits and accounts you should cancel.
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If You Have A Ssdi Disability Lawyer
A disability lawyer will make these calls and check on the status of your claim for you. An experienced disability lawyer will perform regular status checks with Social Security. Since they are familiar with all aspects of the process, they will know who to call to get accurate information. A disability lawyer will also help you to complete all the paperwork. Overall, hiring an experienced disability lawyer can help to make the claims process easier.
Review And Confirm Your Claim
Select Start when youre ready to review and confirm your claim.
If you started your claim early, go to Step 5 for instructions on reviewing your claim. Your claim is early if you started it more than 14 days before your circumstances will change.
Select Begin to review the details you gave us.
Well give you a summary of your claim. Review each section to check your details are correct. If you need to make changes, select the relevant Update button. For example, select Update Income, to change your income details.
If all the details are correct, select Next to read your obligations and terms of the claim.
Read your obligations and the terms of the claim. Youll need to agree to both before you can submit your claim.
If you understand and agree with your obligations in the Declaration, select I understand and agree to the above terms. Then select Next.
If you understand and agree with the terms in the Acknowledgement, select I understand and agree to the above terms. Then select Next.
Select Confirm Information to save all the information you gave us and go back to your claim page. You wont be able to make any changes to your answers after this point. Go to Step 6 to complete extra tasks.
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