Applying for disability benefits does not need to be complicated. Finding out who qualifies for disability benefits and how to apply can help simplify this process. If you have a disability that negatively impacts your income, then disability benefits might be able to help you replace lost income. Talk to a Pennsylvania individual disability insurance lawyer to find out.

Who Qualifies for Disability Benefits?

What stops many people from applying for disability benefits is not knowing whether they will qualify. Learning about the disability benefits eligibility requirements might help you figure this out. The most important requirement is meeting the definition of a disability by the Social Security Administration (SSA):

• A mental or physical disability
• Expected to last at least one year or lead to an early death
• Unable to perform past, current, or future work
• The disability prevents you from performing substantial gainful activity

What rules many people out for disability benefits are income and severity level. Mild to moderate disabilities that are expected to improve within a year may not qualify for benefits. If your monthly income level is above a certain amount, then the SSA will not deem you as someone who is in need of disability benefits.

Substantial gainful activity is the level of work you can perform despite having a disability. This is used along with residual functional capacity evaluations to determine whether you can perform past, current, or future work. When your disability prevents you from working or earning a certain income level, then you may qualify for benefits.

Specific medical conditions and disabilities are listed in the SSA Blue Book, which can be found online. If your disability is listed in the Blue Book and your disability matches those criteria, then your chances of qualifying for benefits are higher. Do not panic if your disability is not listed here. You may still qualify based on other eligibility criteria.

How to Apply for Disability Benefits

Applying for disability benefits is not as hard as it may seem, but it still requires work in terms of gathering evidence. The most important part about applying for disability benefits is the evidence you submit. You can strengthen your application by submitting medical evidence, non-medical evidence, and additional requested information.

You can start applying for disability benefits by phone, at your local Social Security office, or online. Be prepared to fill out forms and answer questions about your disability, work history, and basic identifying information. All of this will be combined into a disability report that you will submit to the SSA.

Consider contacting a Pennsylvania disability lawyer if you have any questions or concerns about the application process. An experienced lawyer might be able to help you speed up the process. A lawyer can also help if your disability benefits application is denied.

Call Edelstein & Nelson Today

Finding yourself stuck during the disability benefits application process can be frustrating. All you have to do is consult with a Pennsylvania disability attorney about the disability benefits application process. Start by calling Edelstein & Nelson today at (800) 300-0909 for a consultation about your disability. Our legal team might be able to help you increase your chances of receiving disability benefits.