If you’re disabled and receiving benefits from Social Security, you want to maximize those payments. Luckily, there are some simple things you can do to improve your disability income.
The first is to keep your records. These will help SSA assess your condition and determine your monthly benefit amount.
Getting Medical Care
Health care is a significant concern for many Americans, and high cost-sharing often makes it challenging to afford needed treatment. These costs can be exceptionally high for people living in lower-income households with poor health or uninsured.
Understanding your insurance plan is one of the best ways to ensure that you can get medical care. This can help you estimate your coverage’s monthly deductible, co-pays, and other out-of-pocket expenses.
You can also determine if your medical insurance covers certain services, such as cancer screenings or bone density tests. These tests can identify potential health problems when they are easier to treat.
Health care is essential for maximizing your Social Security disability benefits. It can help you receive the highest honor possible by preventing your benefits from being cut due to high costs or taxes.
Keeping Records
Record keeping is a crucial part of running any business. It helps to keep track of important financial transactions, human resources information and other pieces of data that reflect how your company operates.
Good records can help you stay organized and make informed decisions whether you own a small business or a large corporation. They can also show you where to improve or re-invent your business.
If you’re claiming Social Security disability benefits, it’s essential to maintain accurate earnings records. Otherwise, you could miss out on the benefit checks you deserve.
Even if you don’t receive SSDI or SSI, earning more money can still increase your total income. The additional revenue will boost your average for your 35-year earnings record, which can give you a more significant benefit check in the future.
Another way to maximize your benefits is to claim spousal benefits. If you’re married, you can receive your spouse’s Social Security retirement or disability benefits based on their work history before they died.
Talking to an Attorney
Legal representation is crucial if you are applying for social security disability benefits. An SSD attorney will understand how to present your case in the most favorable light imaginable.
The best New York social security disability attorney can also help you find the proper paperwork, evidence and documentation to prove your disability. They will also help you file a reconsideration if your claim is denied and will prepare you for a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) if needed.
During this hearing, your lawyer can collect relevant medical evidence and testimony, obtain an opinion from your doctor, create a brief that will go to the ALJ, and prepare you for the questions that may be asked.
According to statistics, persons with a legal advocate have a substantially higher chance of receiving benefits than those without. A free appointment with a disability attorney should be scheduled very away.
Filing an Appeal
The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers disability benefits to people who cannot work due to an illness or injury expected to last at least one year. These benefits are available through Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Applicants who get an initial denial at the state disability determination service (DDS) can request a reconsideration and then appeal to an administrative law judge (ALJ) at SSA. About half of the people who get a denial on their first application pursue an appeal.
SSA monitors the application and appeal process to ensure it meets high standards for reducing errors. It also reviews decisions from ALJs to see whether the decision was based on factual errors.
