SSD or SSI
Have you been told that you must be wheelchair bound, severely physically disabled or unable to walk to qualify for SSD or SSI? Well, that is just not true. In fact, many disabled West Virginians receive SSD or SSI solely as result of mental issues or as a result of a combination of mental and physical problems. Depression and anxiety can affect your ability to work, as much, if not more than physical ailments. It's important to seek medical and psychological evaluations and/or treatment if you are unable to work as a result of these conditions. The Social Security Administration and Administrative Law Judge will be reviewing your medical records to determine whether you are eligible for benefits.
Social Security Disability (SSD)
You may have worked hard all your life and paid into Social Security believing that if you were ever injured or suffered from a severe illness that you would be taken care of out of the Social Security premiums that you and your employer paid to the Government. Regrettably, a large majority of disability claims, regardless of their merit, are denied the first time. Don't get discouraged though, many of the clients previously denied Social Security Disability benefits will later be awarded those benefits. To be awarded benefits, the administration or Administrative Law Judge must find that you will be disabled for at least one year. If you're denied benefits, it's important to contact an attorney and discuss your case. If you wait too long after becoming disabled to file a claim or fail to file the correct paperwork, you may lose some if not all your Social Security Disability benefits.
Michelle Johnson from the Johnson Law Office is a trained Registered Nurse with over 20 years combined medical legal experience. She understands your physical and mental illnesses and resulting disabilities. Michelle is a member of the largest organization of Social Security Attorneys, The National Organization of Social Security Claims Representatives (NOSSCR). It's important to understand that only Licensed Attorneys can appear in court if your case goes to Federal Court. Social Security Disability benefits are available to you regardless of your assets or your spouse's income.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Supplemental Security Income or SSI is available to disabled citizens if they haven't worked a sufficient number of quarters in the past ten years to qualify for SSD. SSI is also available to those who have never worked at all as long as they are found to be disabled. When the Social Security Department determines whether you are eligible for SSI, they look at the incomes of both you and your spouse. Accordingly, the SSI award may be much less than what is available for some recipients of SSD ,or you may not qualify as a result of your spouse's income. Some disabled West Virginians may also receive a combination of SSI and SSD benefits, depending upon their situations.
|
|
