Getting approved for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits in Missouri involves meeting certain criteria set by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Here are the key factors considered in the approval process:
Meeting the Definition of Disability
According to the Social Security Administration, you must have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that prevents you from engaging in substantial gainful activity (SGA). Your condition must have lasted or be expected to last for at least 12 months, or be expected to result in death.
Meeting the Earnings Requirement
You must have worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes to be insured for SSD benefits. The Social Security Administration uses work credits to determine eligibility, with the number of credits needed depending on your age at the time of disability. If you don’t have work credits you may qualify for SSI. For SSI you must meet the medical eligibility and the income and asset limits.
Providing Medical Evidence
Medical evidence is crucial in proving your disability. You must provide detailed medical records, including diagnoses, treatment history, test results, doctor’s notes, and reports from healthcare providers. The Social Security Administration will evaluate the severity of your impairment and its impact on your ability to perform work-related activities.
Meeting a Listing of Impairments
The Social Security Administration maintains a Listing of Impairments (also known as the Blue Book) that outlines specific medical conditions considered severe enough to automatically qualify for disability benefits. If your condition meets the criteria outlined in the Blue Book for a listed impairment, you may be approved for benefits without further evaluation.
Demonstrating Inability to Perform Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)
Even if your condition does not meet the criteria of a listed impairment, you may still be approved if you can demonstrate that your impairment prevents you from performing any type of work that earns a substantial income.
The Social Security Administration considers your age, education, work experience, and residual functional capacity (ability to perform work-related tasks) when evaluating your ability to engage in SGA.
Providing Supporting Documentation
In addition to medical evidence, providing supportive statements from healthcare providers, therapists, and other professionals can strengthen your case. Statements from friends, family members, or former coworkers may also provide valuable insight into how your disability affects your daily life and ability to work.
Cooperating with the Social Security Administration
It’s essential to cooperate with the Social Security Administration throughout the application process. This includes attending medical evaluations, providing requested information, and attending scheduled hearings or interviews.
Seek Legal Assistance
If you’re unsure about the eligibility criteria or need assistance with the application process, consider seeking help from a qualified Missouri Social Security disability lawyer who handles a lot of SSD cases. An experienced professional can guide you through the process, help gather necessary evidence, and represent you during hearings or appeals.
Meeting the eligibility criteria and providing strong supporting evidence are essential for getting approved for SSD benefits. By understanding the requirements and seeking appropriate assistance, you can improve your chances of a successful application.
The Krebs Law Firm knows the ins and outs of Social Security disability law, and we’re ready to put our skills to work and help you receive the Missouri Social Security Disability Benefits you deserve in as reasonable a time frame as possible.
We’ll put our extensive knowledge of the Social Security Administration rules to work to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Let a professional Social Security disability lawyer in Missouri fight for your rights alongside you. Call The Krebs Law Firm for a free consultation.
At The Krebs Law Firm, we fight as hard as we can to help you get the disability coverage you deserve. Call our Springfield office today for a free consultation at 417-883-5886, our Columbia office at (573) 886-8976 or toll free at (800) 345-0535.
It can be daunting learning the ins and outs of Social Security Disability benefits, but it’s not a task you need to take on alone. Call on a Missouri Disability Attorney from The Krebs Law Firm to help you every step of the way.
We offer a free book on Social Security Disability benefits to Missouri residents. Give us a call today.
The Krebs Law Firm provides free consultations for Social Security Disability claimants, and we don’t get paid unless we win you the compensation you deserve. Set up your appointment with us without delay. You can reach our Springfield office at 417-883-5886, our Columbia office at (573) 886-8976 or toll free at 800-345-0535.
A Missouri Social Security disability lawyer can help make the process of getting the full amount you’re owed much easier. The Krebs Law Firm offers free consultations, and all it takes is giving us a call today.
Whether you’re making an initial Social Security Disability claim or striving to make an appeal, The Krebs Law Firm knows the ins and outs of the application process and offers free consultations to potential clients. You have nothing to lose by contacting us and everything to gain.
If you seek the help of a Social Security Disability attorney in Missouri with your claim, the Krebs Law Firm has years of experience in helping our clients receive the full amount of Social Security Disability benefits that they rightly deserve in as timely a manner as possible. We know the ins and outs of the Social Security Disability process and would be happy to work with you.