Social Security Disability Questions and Answers

  What is the process of filing for Social Security Supplemental Income or Disability Insurance Benefits?     You may file your application online at ssa.gov/disability or you may ask for a disability representative to help you throughout the process. You will need to have all your personal information, name and addresses of all treatment from 2 years prior to your condition limiting your daily activities, a list of your medications and all work history for the last 15 years.   Once your application is filed, SSA will send your claim to a state agency called “Disability Determination Services (DDS).” They will request your medical records, review information regarding your daily activities, and make an initial decision on your claim. Once a decision is made, DDS will return to the local field office in your area for the decision to be sent to you.   When you are awarded benefits for Supplemental Security Income, a representative from Social Security will rea...

  Does Workers' Compensation benefits lower my SSDI benefits?    Disability payments from private sources, such as private pensions or insurance benefits, don’t affect your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.      Workers’ compensation and other public disability benefits, however, may reduce your SSDI benefits.  Workers’ compensation payments are made to a worker because of a job-related injury or illness. They may be paid by federal or state workers’ compensation agencies, employers, or by insurance companies on behalf of employers. Other public disability payments may affect your Social Security benefits. These payments are made by a federal, state, or local government and are for disabling medical conditions that are not job-related. Examples are civil service disability benefits, state temporary disability benefits, and state or local government retirement benefits that are based on disability. If you receive workers’ compensatio...

      You should be seeing a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist for at least 12 months.   The providers above must release your appointment session notes/records.   You must also be on a prescribed medication regiment and be taking medication.   You have to clean from alcohol and drugs for 12 months.   You need a residual mental functional capacity exam.      It is best to speak to your therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist if you are looking to file for disability. If your providers are supportive and will provide the necessary documents needed, you have a better chance to win your disability claim.     If you have questions, please call 816.451.2020, KC Disability Advocates are here to help!  

A Continuing Disability Review (CDR) is a periodic review conducted by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to assess whether individuals receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits continue to meet the criteria for disability. The purpose of a CDR is to determine if there has been any improvement in the recipient's medical condition and if they are still unable to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) due to their disability. The SSA conducts CDRs to ensure that disability benefits are provided only to those who remain medically eligible. There are three main types of CDRs: Medical Improvement Expected (MIE): For individuals with disabilities that are expected to improve over time. These reviews typically occur every 6 to 18 months. Medical Improvement Possible (MIP): For individuals with disabilities that may improve. These reviews generally occur every 3 years. Medical Improvement Not Expected (MIN...

 If you have a child with disabilities and they are close to turning 18, here are a few things you should know. Although, your child may be receiving benefits currently, at age 18 the rules change and they are evaluated as an adult. When a child becomes a legal adult, you should inquire if the child will need a representative payee (SSA will determine if someone should handle benefits on the disabled's behalf) or guardianship (court involvement giving another person guardianship of disabled.)  Changes occur in SSI eligibility once a child turns 18. Your child will now be reviewed on an adult disability rules. This includes the medical and financial rules as an adult.  Education can play a big factor in an adult claim. Is the child eligible to further their education with IEP, transitional schooling to 22 years of age, and vocational rehabilitation services for any job training or placement with disabilities. Living arrangements can affect the amou...