If you suffer from a mental or physical condition that makes it difficult for you to engage in daily activities or 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 it deems eligible according to the individual’s medical condition. To apply for disability benefits, you must complete a Social Security disability application. Applications are available on the Social Security Administration, or SSA, website, https://secure.ssa.gov/iCLM/dib. In addition, you can request an application by phone or in person at your Reno Social Security office.

Complete the disability application and an Authorization to Disclose Information Form. The Authorization to Disclose Information Form is very important and allows the SSA to contact your doctor to obtain your medical records. It is necessary to provide the SSA with all relevant medical information that supports your request for disability benefits. Submit the completed forms online or in person at the Reno Social Security office.

The SSA will evaluate your disability claim shortly after receiving your application. During the evaluation, the SSA evaluator considers whether you are engaging in substantial gainful activity and if the SSA recognizes your condition as a disability. Substantial and gainful activity, according to the SSA, means that an applicant is earning $1,010 or more per month through employment. In addition, during the evaluation of your claim, the SSA evaluator will compare your medical condition to the SSA’s Listing of Impairments. The Listing of Impairments is an SSA created guideline for disability claim evaluators to use when reviewing disability claims. During this stage, the SSA will either approve or deny your claim for disability benefits. You will receive notification by mail of the SSA’s decision. However, you should be aware that the SSA denies the majority of initial disability benefit applications. Fortunately, you can appeal a disability benefit denial.

For example, if the SSA denies your disability benefit claim, you can request that the SSA reconsider your disability application. During the request for reconsideration appeal, a new SSA evaluator will examine your claim to determine whether you are eligible to receive disability benefits. At this stage, you can submit additional information for the evaluator to consider along with your original claim. Unfortunately, the majority of disability claims remain denied following the request for reconsideration. However, following a reconsideration denial, you can request a Social Security disability hearing. During the disability hearing, you will testify before a judge and answer questions about your medical condition. The judge may ask you to explain how the condition interferes with your ability to engage in activities you once enjoyed. In addition, a Vocational Expert may testify regarding the type of employment available to you considering several factors including your education, skills, training, and your medical condition.

If your disability claim remains denied following the hearing, you can file an appeal with the Appeals Council. The Appeals Council’s role is to evaluate whether the judge considered the appropriate information during the disability hearing. If the Appeals Council finds errors in the judge’s decision, the Appeals Council may recommend a reevaluation of your disability claim.

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