Social Security Disability Insurance

INTRODUCTION

• The Social Security Disability Insurance Program  is abbreviated as SSDI. 
• SSDI is a Federal government program to provide benefits for disabled individuals who qualify under this plan and are not eligibile for benefits under any other disability plan.

WHO IS CONSIDERED TO BE DISABLED?

In order to be considered to be disabled under this law, the applicant must:

• Be unable to do any substantial work because of his or her medical condition(s). 
• These medical condition(s) must have lasted, or be expected to last, for at least 1 year.
• Another possibility is that these medical conditions are expected to result in death. 
• Patients with SEVERE lymphedema, who meet these criteria, can apply for benefits under these S.S.D.I. programs.

HOW TO APPLY FOR DISABILITY BENEFITS

The process of applying for Social Security Disability Insurance due to health issues is not a simple one and simply obtaining a statement from your physician will not be sufficient to make you eligible.

• You cannot get disability benefits just because your doctor says you are disabled. There are forms to be completed, documents to be submitted, and an interview appointments to be completed at your local Social Security office.
• In an effort to facilitate the application process, the S.S.D.I. encourages you to visit their website at www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/disability.htm. 
  Once on that site, click of the tab "DISABILITY"

• It usually takes about 3 to 5 months to get a decision about these benefits. Completing the Medical and Job Worksheet that is available online can speed this process.
• To apply for a child who is younger than 18 years of age, go to this website http://www.socialsecurity.gov/applyfordisability/ and click on Child, Under Age 18 Years.

GET A HEADSTART   

You do not have to wait for an appointment to start the paperwork procedure. You can do this by going online to the website www.socialsecurity.gov/adultdisabilityreport .

The Social Security and Disability Resource Center (SSDRC.com) is an informational website that provides answers to questions about how to apply for disability, how to appeal a claim in the event of a denial, how to navigate the federal system, and how to avoid certain mistakes that are commonly made by applicants. The site’s author is a former disability examiner for the social security administration.

STEP 1
Review the "Adult Checklist ."
STEP 2
Fill out the online "Disability Benefit Application."

STEP 3 
Take, or mail, these completed forms to your local Social Security office."

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• For more information you can visit the Social Security website http://www.socialsecurity.gov and search on disability, asking the interviewer during your appointment, or toll-free by telephone at 800-772-1213.
• Another helpful resource is the booklet titled “What You Should Know Before You Apply for Social Security Disability Benefits.” You can print a copy of this booklet from this website (www.socialsecurity.gov/disability/)
• The Social Security and Disability Resource Center (www.SSDRC.com) is an informational website that provides answers to questions about how to apply for disability, how to appeal a claim in the event of a denial, how to navigate the federal system, and how to avoid certain mistakes that are commonly made by applicants. The site’s author is a former disability examiner for the social security administration. This page has information about the disability application process: www.ssdrc.com/15-23.html.

REFERENCE

Lymphedema and Social Security Disabilty Benefits: Do You Qualify? www.lymphedemablog.com/2013/09.04

© LymphNotes.com 2014.This information does not replace a consultation with a Social Security employee.  

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Category: How Lymphedema is Treated Updated: 2014-05-23