Social Security Disability Benefits Approval

Getting Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits isn’t easy, and a majority of initial claims are denied by the Social Security Administration (SSA) before they’re approved. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to strengthen your claim and increase your chances of receiving the benefits you’re owed.

At Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin, we understand how stressful it can be to obtain a Social Security Disability benefits approval, and we’re here to help you file a successful claim or appeal a denial—no matter where you live. Get in touch with our national Social Security lawyers today.

Tips to Strengthen Your SSD Claim

Follow these tips to help maximize your chances of getting your SSD benefits claim or appeal approved:

See Your Doctor on a Regular Basis

Doctors or treating physicians must fill out residual functional capacity (RFC) forms to help prove the severity of your condition to the Disability Determination Services (DDS) examiner handling your case. Getting regular treatment helps the doctor get a clearer picture of your disability, and your list of past appointments can serve as further evidence that you’re suffering from a serious condition.

Document How Your Disability Affects You

Keep track of the ways your medical condition disrupts your daily life, such as:

  • Side effects from the prescriptions you’re taking
  • Activities you’re no longer able to do because of your condition
  • Times and dates of seizures, blackouts, and other medical events related to your condition

The information you collect not only serves as evidence of your disability, but can also help your doctors and lawyers accurately fill out your SSD claim paperwork.

Take Your Medications

Taking the medications prescribed by your treating physicians demonstrates that you’re making an effort to improve your condition. Failure to follow your doctor’s orders may put your chances of being approved for SSD benefits at risk.

Hire a Social Security Disability Lawyer

The lawyers at Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin handle thousands of SSD claims for people across the country every year, and we know what your claim needs to get results. Whether you’re applying for the first time or you need help preparing an appeal, we’ll gather the medical evidence the SSA is looking for, ensure your paperwork is completed accurately and submitted on time, and protect your best interests at your administrative law judge (ALJ) hearings. Let us help you obtain a Social Security Disability benefits approval.

What to Expect Post-Approval

After you get approved for SSD benefits, you will receive a monthly payment from the SSA based off your average lifetime earnings. Your SSD payments will begin six months after the date your disability began—or your alleged onset date (AOD). If your claim took longer than six months from your AOD to process, which is common, you will receive backpay for every month you would’ve been eligible to receive SSD benefits.

Your monthly benefits will continue until you reach full retirement age—at which point Social Security retirement benefits take over—or changes in your status affect your entitlement to SSD payments. If you’re wondering how retirement, returning to work, or other life events may impact your SSD benefits, contact Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin.

Factors that Can Affect SSD Benefits

If you’ve been approved for SSD benefits, you must immediately report any changes related to income, legal status, or medical condition to the SSA. Some of the factors that may affect your eligibility for SSD benefits or your monthly benefit amount include:

  • An outstanding warrant being issued for your arrest
  • Becoming unable to manage your benefits
  • Being convicted of a crime
  • Caring for a child who receives benefits
  • Changing your name or citizenship status
  • Death of a beneficiary
  • Getting pension payments from work not covered by Social Security
  • Having a child
  • Leaving the United States
  • Marriage or divorce
  • Moving
  • Reaching retirement age
  • Receiving other types of benefits
  • Switching your direct deposit account
  • Violating a condition of parole or probation
  • Working while receiving benefits

Failure to notify the SSA of any of these factors may result in the loss of your SSD benefits. If you have questions about what types of information you should report to the SSA, our lawyers are here to help answer them.

Get the Representation You Deserve Today

You can afford an experienced lawyer at Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin, because you won’t owe us attorney’s fees unless we get a Social Security Disability benefits approval for you. Your initial consultation is always free, and there are no upfront costs for us to start working on your case. Contact us to see how we can help get your SSD claim approved.

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