Disability Tip Off

As a disability examiner, I had hoped that I was in a position to really make an impact on people’s lives. I thought I would be instrumental in helping individuals to get their social security disability benefits. Little did I know about the bureaucracy of the disability program. I sadly discovered that I could make few decisions that would make a positive difference. Only a small number of people were approved for disability, and so many more were denied that should have been approved. Those who were denied benefits did not meet the criteria set by the social security system. Some individuals denied disability benefits might have met the criteria had all the necessary documentation been in place.

My heart went out to all the claimants, as they are called, whom I knew would be denied benefits. My hands were hopelessly tied by a legal system. I was limited in what I could say to the claimants due to office policies. I had vowed that I would make it my mission, once I was out of the system, to offer assistance concerning the disability program to anyone who was interested. It is my goal to offer that assistance on the Disability Tipoff website and have the positive influence that I could not have as an examiner.

I will tell you how to apply for social security disability benefits and give helpful information to avoid mistakes and pitfalls which could cause your claim to be denied.

I will close with the definition of disability as defined by social security. To be disabled (for adults) you must be unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity because of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment, which has lasted or is expected to last for one year, or result in death.

What a mouth full!! Most of the terminology of the social security program is complicated. To break this down in layman’s terms, your illness must be fully documented with a diagnosis by a qualified MD, DO, psychiatrist or a PhD graduate psychologist. Social security does not consider you disabled, if, the diagnosed condition which prevents you from working has not lasted for one year, your condition is not expected to improve for one year, or that condition is expected to result in your death. Substantial gainful activity refers to the ability to work some kind of job on a full time or part time basis which grossly pays more than $900 per month. It does not matter that you may not be able to work the job of your profession or skill level. It means if you can work any job that brings income greater than $900. All of these conditions have to be in place. With this definition alone, you can see why disability claims have a high rate of denials.

I will discuss disability as it pertains to children at a later time.

Thank you for visiting my website. Please return for more disability tips.

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