Health Resources For People With Disabilities
Federal, state, and local government agencies and programs can help with your health needs if you have a disability.
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Explore the Disability and Health section of CDC.gov for articles, programs, tips for healthy living and more.
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Learn more about benefits for people with disabilities from the Social Security Administration.
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Contact your local city or county government to find out what medical and health services are available locally for people with disabilities.
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Your state social service agency can help you locate medical and health programs.
Visit USA.govs Government Benefits page to learn more about government programs and services that can help you and your family.
Social Security Works Aggressively To Prevent Detect And Prosecute Fraud
Social Security, along with the Office of the Inspector General, identifies and aggressively prosecutes those who commit fraud. Our zero tolerance approach has resulted in a fraud incidence rate that is a fraction of one percent.
One of our most effective measures to guard against fraud is the Cooperative Disability Investigations program. Under the program, we investigate suspicious disability claims early, before making a decision to award benefits. In effect, we proactively stop fraud before it happens. In fiscal year 2018, with the help of state and local law enforcement, the program reported nearly $188.5 million in projected savings to the disability programs. This resulted in a return on investment of $17 for each $1 spent.
Eradicating fraud is a team effort. We need people who suspect something to say something. If you suspect fraud, please visit the Office of the Inspector General and select Report Fraud, Waste, or Abuse or call 1-800-269-0271.
Answer A Few Short Questions And We’ll Outline Your Chances Of Getting Approved For Ssdi Or Ssi Disability Benefits
When you apply for disability benefits, Social Security will want to know the answers to some key questions to determine if you are eligible for disability. Here are some of the essential inquiries Social Security will make and why they matter read on to find out if you should apply for disability and if you can get disability.
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How To Apply For Social Security Disability Insurance
There are three ways to apply for SSDI:
How We Have Helped Our Clients Obtain Their Disability Benefits

At Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, we are relentless when it comes to getting our clients what they need and deserve. Here are a few examples of what our Social Security Disability clients have to say about our work and dedication:
Andrea stuck with me to the end. I could always get through to her. Her staff was great and would always get right back with me. I wasnt just a file in a cabinet and I was treated as if I was the only client. Lavonda
Andrea Farmer was very professional and was very instrumental in helping me get my social security disability and helping me draw up my power of attorney and will. I would strongly recommend her for any legal issues I would have. Douglas
Andreas service was excellent. She jumped on it immediately and didnt hesitate. She updated me on everything, explained everything to me and went over it several times. She did a wonderful, wonderful job. If anyone ever needs an attorney, she is the best! Rated #1! Richard
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Likelihood Of Receiving Benefits
Considering all levels of adjudication, about 4 in 10 SSDI applicants are awarded benefits. Slightly more than 50 percent of applicants who meet technical requirements of eligibility are determined to be medically eligible.
The number of cases and percentage allowed at each stage of adjudication for all types of disability cases in fiscal year 2020 are as follows:
Level |
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Disability Benefits For Veterans
You may be eligible for disability benefits if you’re on disability from your service in the Canadian Armed Forces or Merchant Navy.
You may get social assistance payments from:
- your province or territory
- your First Nation
These payments will depend on your household income, savings and investments.
You may also be eligible for health-related benefits from your province or territory. These benefits may include benefits that help cover the cost of:
- medical aids or devices
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Who Can Help When I’m Filing For Disability Benefits
A disability benefit from the Social Security Administration can help you with living expenses when you are no longer able to work because of your disability, but the process of applying for the benefit can seem challenging without help. Fortunately, there are many ways that someone else can help you with the application process such as help from a:
- doctor or other medical professional
- family member of a friend
- SSA representative
- the Disability Benefits Center.
Iii: Who Receives Ssdi
Eligibility criteria are strict, and most SSDI applicants are rejected. Applicants for SSDI benefits must be
- Insured for disability benefits .
- Suffering from a severe, medically determinable physical or mental impairment that is expected to last 12 months or result in death, based on clinical findings from acceptable medical sources.
- Unable to perform substantial gainful activity anywhere in the national economy regardless of whether such work exists in the area where the applicant lives, whether a specific job vacancy exists, or whether he or she would be hired.
Lack of education and low skills are considered for older, severely impaired applicants who cant realistically change careers but not for younger applicants.
There is a five-month waiting period for SSDI, but Supplemental Security Income may be available during that period for poor beneficiaries with little or no income and assets.
SSA denies applicants who are technically disqualified and sends the rest to state disability determination services for medical evaluation. Applicants denied at that stage may ask for a reconsideration by the same state agency, and then appeal to an administrative law judge at SSA. Roughly half of people who get an initial denial pursue an appeal.
SSA monitors disability decisions at all stages of the process. SSA conducts ongoing quality reviews at all stages of the application and appeal process. Many reviews occur before any benefits are paid, thus reducing errors.
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Check If You Qualify For Adult Disability Payment
You can apply for Adult Disability Payment if you have a disability or long-term health condition that affects your everyday life.
You can check if you meet the other requirements to qualify for Adult Disability Payment before you start an application.
Well ask you questions about:
- any restrictions on your right to live in the UK
- if you’re on other benefits
If you do not qualify for Adult Disability Payment, then well tell you what other benefits you may be able to get.
How Your Doctor Can Help Prove You Meet A Disability Listing
The Social Security Administration outlines a number of conditions that, if all the criteria are met, are eligible for automatic approval. These conditions are known as “listings.” If your doctor thinks that your condition qualifies for automatic approval under a listing, the doctor should complete a listing form that explains his or her opinion and provide the appropriate medical documentation. Here is an example.
A claimant was diagnosed with skin cancer, specifically sarcoma. Sarcoma of the skin is eligible for automatic approval for benefits under the disability listing for skin cancer, if the cancer has spread to, or beyond, the regional lymph nodes. A biopsy revealed that the claimant’s cancer had spread. To prove she met the listing requirements for sarcoma of the skin, the claimant made sure that the SSA had the following information from her doctor:
- the pathology report that initially diagnosed the claimant with sarcoma of the skin, and
- a surgical and pathology report that established that the sarcoma cells had spread to her lymph nodes.
To find out if your condition might meet a listing, and what your doctor needs to provide to prove you meet the criteria of the listing, visit our section on disability listings for more information.
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Benefits For Children With Disabilities
A child under age 18 may have a disability, but we don’t need to consider the child’s disability when deciding if he or she qualifies for benefits as a dependent. The child’s benefits normally stop at age 18 unless they are a full-time student in an elementary or high school or have a qualifying disability.
Children who were receiving benefits as a minor child on a parents Social Security record may be eligible to continue receiving benefits on that parents record upon reaching age 18 if they have a qualifying disability.
What Your Doctor Should Put In A Mental Rfc

Here are some things that a mental RFC should discuss:
- your ability to understand, remember, and carry out simple instructions
- your ability to interact with co-workers
- your ability to react to criticism or authority figures
- your ability to interact with the general public
- whether your condition is likely to cause a disruption in the workplace
- whether you can maintain appropriate dress and hygiene
- whether you are reliable, and
- how your condition affects your ability to concentrate, focus, and complete tasks in a normal amount of time.
Statement about reliability and attendance. RFCs from your doctor should also contain a statement about how your illness is likely to affect your reliability and ability to attend work regularly, due to issues such as fatigue, pain, ongoing treatments, or frequent hospitalizations.
Special physician’s statement about drug and alcohol abuse. Your mental RFC should also contain answers to the following questions.
- Does the claimant use illicit drugs or abuse prescription drugs or alcohol?
- If the claimant does use illicit drugs or abuse prescription drugs or alcohol, would the claimant’s impairment still exist in the absence of the abuse?
The reason your doctor must answer these questions is because, if you abuse drugs or alcohol and your condition would go away if you quit using, the SSA will most likely deny your claim.
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How Do I File For Disability
You can file the Claim for Disability Insurance Benefits claim or even faster with SDI Online. Register and create an account with us through Benefit Programs Online so that you can file and manage your disability claim with SDI Online.
Note: You can choose how you receive your benefits when you file, either by prepaid debit card or EDD check.
- Electronic Payment: If you chose this option, your benefit payments will be deposited to a debit card issued to you.
- Payment by Mail: If you chose this option, your benefit payments will be issued by EDD check. Allow 7 to 10 days for delivery by mail.
To learn more, review the step-by-step overview for the DI Claim Process. Review the DI Benefits and Payments FAQs for detailed answers to commonly asked questions, including How Do I Apply for Disability Insurance?
Contact A Professional Relations Officer
DDD’s Professional Relations Officers serve as points of contact regarding Social Security disability programs in Ohio. They provide presentations to health professionals about how medical information is used to evaluate disabilities, recruit health professionals to become consultative examination providers, assist consultants in using SSAs Electronic Records Express , and much more.
DDD is actively seeking Ohio-licensed psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and psychiatric nurse practitioners in Ohio to conduct independent psychological exams of Social Security disability claimants. Opportunities exist throughout Ohio with a significant need in Northwest Ohio. Please contact ANY of the Professional Relations Officers to learn more.
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Is My Child Eligible For Benefits
To qualify for Social Security Child’s Insurance Benefits, you and your child must meet certain requirements. As a parent, you must have worked and earned enough Social Security credits , and you must also be eligible to receive Social Security retirement or disability benefits. Children can also receive benefits if they have a deceased parent.
For a child to qualify for benefits, they must be unmarried, dependent on the parent and must meet at least one of the following criteria.
- They’re under age 18.
You can check your child’s eligibility by using the Social Security Administration’s screening tool.
Applying For Social Security Disability And Ssi Benefits
You can apply online for Social Security Disability benefits, you can file in person at your local Social Security office, or by calling 772-1213.
To find your local Social Security office, click here and enter your home zip code. Locate a Social Security Office.
Before you begin your application, you should collect certain information regarding your medical treatment, work history and other facts. To view a checklist of the information that you will need, Disability Checklist.
When you are ready to apply for Social Security Disability Benefits, Apply for Disability. You will not have to complete the entire application in one sitting. You will have the option of saving your application and returning to it later.
You can also complete most of your application for SSI Disability benefits online, but to finish the application process you will have to visit a Social Security office. You canApply for SSI to begin the SSI application process for yourself or for a child.
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Social Security Child’s Insurance Payment Schedule
If your child is eligible and can start receiving benefits, the payment schedule will follow yours. Note that you’ll receive the payments separately but on the same day to help differentiate the benefits.
- If you started receiving Social Security benefits before May 1997, or if you receive both Social Security and SSI, their Social Security payment will arrive on the third day of each month.
- If your birthday falls between the 1st and 10th of the month, their payment will be sent out on the second Wednesday of the month.
- If your birthday falls between the 11th and 20th of the month, their payment will be sent out on the third Wednesday of the month.
- If your birthday falls between the 21st and 31st of the month, their payment will be sent out on the fourth Wednesday of the month.
Here’s the full Social Security payment schedule. For more, use our ultimate Social Security cheat sheet as a guide to your benefits.
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My Condition Is Not Listed In The Blue Book Can I Still Receive Ssdi Benefits
While the Blue Book is a fairly comprehensive guide, by no means does it contain every ailment or disability that could keep a person from working. If you have a condition not listed in the Blue Book , you can still apply for SSDI. The main thing to remember is that you will need to provide substantial proof that your condition has rendered you unable to work.
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Listed And Unlisted Conditions Must Be Severe
Whether the SSA has or hasnt listed your impairment, you will need more than a diagnosis to qualify for disability benefits. For listed conditions, your diagnosis and medical records must match the SSAs requirements for that specific condition. The medical evidence you present must align with the symptoms, signs, and other criteria for that impairment. If you dont meet all the requirements of a listed condition, you can still present your medical evidence. The SSA can review it and determine if its severity is equal to an impairment it considers severe.
For a legal consultation, call
Expedited Ssdi Application Process

To expedite new disability claims, the following initiatives have been created:
Compassionate Allowances:
Social Security makes allowances for people to receive benefits quickly if they suffer from medical conditions that are so obvious that they easily meet disability standards.
Compassionate Allowances quickly identify diseases and medical conditions that fall under the Blue Book of Impairments with minimal medical information. This allows Social Security to speed up the process of helping people obtain benefits in the shortest amount of time possible.
The list of Compassionate Allowances has been developed based on public hearing held by Social Security, along with input from medical and scientific experts and the National Institutes of Health. Currently allowances include disabilities such as Alzheimers disease, cardiovascular disease, organ transplants, schizophrenia, and others.
A full list of Compassionate Allowances can be found here.
Quick Disability Determinations:
Sophisticated computer screening is used here to identify cases that have a high probability of allowance.
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If You Get Ssi Disability And Dont Have Medicaid
- In many states, SSI recipients automatically qualify for Medicaid and donât have to fill out a Medicaid application.
- In other states, your SSI guarantees you Medicaid eligibility, but you have to sign up for it.
- In a few states, SSI doesnât guarantee Medicaid eligibility. But most people who get SSI are still eligible.
How Do I Apply For Disability Nsfas
Student applicants can apply for NSFAS Disability Fund online by going to www.nsfas.org.za.
Also, you can apply manually at your nearest NYDA Office to complete the application form for the NSFAS Disability Funding manually.
To complete your Disability Fund application online, youll need the Disability Annexure A and B Forms.
To get the forms use the for your application for the NSFAS Disability allowances.
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