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WHAT IS SOCIAL SECURITY? Social Security is a federal program designed to
provide financial assistance the elderly and disabled who are unable to work. Social
Security has two programs designed to provide assistance to persons with physical or
mental disabilities. Each program has slightly different requirements for eligibility.
If you have a disability that prevents you from working you may be entitled to benefits
under one or both of these programs. The different programs are outlined as follows:
1) Social Security Disability Insurance (SSD) also known as title II benefits with
regulations outlined in 20CFR404.To be entitled to title II benefits you must meet the following
criteria:
a) You must have an illness or condition that prevents you from doing any work that is
expected to last at least 12 months or is expected to result in death.
b) You must be a wage earner. A wage earner is a person that was employed prior to
becoming disabled and has paid Social Security Taxes.
2) Supplemental Security Income(SSI) also known as title XVI benefits with regulations
outlined in 20CFR416.To be entitled to title XVI benefits you must meet the
following criteria:
a) You must have a illness or condition that prevents you from doing any work for at
least 12 months or is expected to result in death.
The main difference between the above programs is that SSD eligibility requires you to
be a wage earner and SSI does not have that requirement. However, it is possible to
receive both SSI and SSD benefits. If you are planing to apply for disability benefits
I would apply for benefits under both programs to ensure that you receive the maximum
amount of benefits you are entitled to.
Understand that the above outline is only a brief overview of the Social Security
programs and is by no means complete. For more information call your local Social
Security Office, E-Mail me atTCD86 or buy
one of the books below from Amazon.com.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR BENEFITS? You can apply at your local Social Security office
or you can apply by phone toll free at 1-800-772-1213.
When pursuing your claim for Social Security benefits always remember the burden
of proof is on you. Be prepared to explain how you are disabled and why you can not
work. Be persistent! If you are denied benefits or if Social Security makes any adverse
decision regarding your claim appeal their decision. Social Security representatives are
notorious for disregarding or misunderstanding their agencies regulations. Don't assume
that the representative who made a decision on your case is right!
Are you having trouble with your claim for Social Security? We can help you with your claim from the application to administrative appeals. You do not need to pay high attorneys fees either. In fact social security will tell me how much I can charge. Furthermore, you don't pay anything unless I am successful in pursuing your claim. If you would like to hire me to be your representative or if you have any questions contact me below. I am not an attorney. I am a paralegal experienced in administrative law. If you prefer to handle your claim on your own I have a list of book's from Amazon .com below that may help you prepare your Social Security claim.
Social Security Benefits Handbook
How to Maximize Your Unemployment Benefits:Complete Information for all 50 States
How to Get Every Penny You're Entitled to From Social Security
1999 Mercer Guide to Social Security and Medicare
The Complete and Easy Guide to Social Security, Healthcare Rights and Government Benefits;Revised and updated for 1998
Bureaucratic Justice: Administrative Law from an internal perspective
Social security Manual 98