Filing for Disability Benefits in San Diego

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If you have a physical condition that interferes with your ability to maintain employment, you may be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits. The Social Security Administration, or SSA, provides monthly disability benefits to individuals that are unable to work because of their condition. For example, if you suffer from a cardiovascular condition and you receive treatment for the condition, you may qualify for disability benefits.

 

To apply for disability benefits, complete a Social Security disability application. You can obtain an application for Social Security disability benefits at the SSA’s website, https://secure.ssa.gov/iCLM/dib. Complete the application and submit the disability application with the Authorization to Disclose Information Form to the SSA. The Authorization to Disclose Information Form allows the SSA to contact your doctor to obtain your medical records to support the assertion that your condition qualifies as a disability. You can submit the application online or visit the San Diego Social Security office.

 

After receiving your application, the SSA, will evaluate the claim. The SSA takes into consideration your medical condition in addition to whether you are engaged in substantial and gainful activity to determine whether you are eligible to receive disability benefits. As of 2012, an applicant is engaged in substantial gainful activity if an applicant earns $1,010 or more per month through employment. In addition, the SSA evaluates your condition by comparing your condition to the SSA’s Listing of Impairments. The Listing of Impairments creates guidelines for disability claim reviewers to determine how your condition compares to SSA approved medical conditions. Shortly after you submit your claim, you will receive notice of your disability status through the mail. However, the SSA denies the majority of the applications that the SSA receives. Fortunately, you can appeal the SSA’s decision through several appeal steps.

 

First, you can file a request for reconsideration. During the request for reconsideration, a new individual will evaluate your claim to determine whether you are eligible to receive disability benefits. Unfortunately, the majority of disability claims remain denied following the request for reconsideration. Next, you can appeal the SSA’s decision and appear before an Administrative Law Judge, ALJ, during a Social Security disability hearing. At the disability hearing, the ALJ will ask you questions regarding your medical condition including how the condition interferes with your ability to maintain employment. In addition, the ALJ may ask a Vocational Expert to testify regarding the type of employment available to you given your education, skills, and training in addition to your medical condition. Most claimants receive a favorable decision following a disability hearing.

 

However, if the ALJ denies your claim for disability benefits, you can file an additional appeal with the Appeals Council. The Appeals Council will only evaluate whether the ALJ considered the appropriate information, not whether the ALJ made the correct decision based upon the facts. If the Appeals Council reverses the ALJ’s decision, your claim may be sent for reevaluation by the same ALJ with additional instructions.

 

If you have any additional questions regarding how to file for disability benefits in San Diego, contact the SSA’s office in San Diego, or visit the SSA’s website http://www.ssa.gov/pgm/disability.htm.