how to get ssi without a lawyer

How to Win Social Security Disability Benefits Without a Lawyer

1. Filling out the paperwork You first want to fill out the written application, disability report form, and submit...
2. Submitting the appeal If the SSA rejects your initial application, you have 60 days to file the additional paperwork...
3. Court hearing

Full Answer

Can a disability attorney help you get Social Security disability benefits?

But research has shown that having a professional representative can boost your chances of getting Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the two SSA-run programs that pay benefits to people with disabilities.

Do I need a social security attorney or advocate?

The SSA will work directly with your representative and provide access to information from your Social Security file. Having an attorney or advocate can be especially important if you disagree with Social Security's initial decision on your claim and file an appeal.

How can someone help me with my Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

HOW SOMEONE CAN HELP YOU WITH YOUR SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI) YOU MAY CHOOSE SOMEBODY TO HELP YOU WITH: Completing forms; Going with you to your local Social Security office; Interpreting for you; Gathering and giving information; Taking you to medical examinations, tests, or to your local Social Security office; or.

What happens if my Social Security disability claim is successful?

If your claim is successful, Social Security pays your representative directly out of your “back pay” - past-due benefits the SSA can award if it determines after the fact that you were medically qualified to receive benefits while still awaiting a ruling on your case.

What qualifies automatically for SSI?

To get SSI, you must meet one of these requirements: • Be age 65 or older. Be totally or partially blind. Have a medical condition that keeps you from working and is expected to last at least one year or result in death.

How do you fight for SSI?

You can file the hearing request at your local Social Security office or call Social Security and have them mail you the request for hearing form, then fill it out and mail it back. Their toll-free phone number is 1-800-772-1213, 7:00 am - 7:00 pm; TTY 1-800-325-0778.

Do you need a diagnosis for SSI disability?

How Do You Get Disability for Listed Medical Conditions? If your disability is listed in Social Security's Listing of Impairments, the first step is to get a diagnosis of the condition from your doctor.

Is it hard to get SSI?

According to government statistics for applications filed in 2018, many people receive technical denials: 45% for SSDI applicants and 18% for SSI. In that same year, approval rates at the application level based on medical eligibility alone were 41% for SSDI and 37% for SSI.

Why would SSI be denied?

You didn't return all the necessary forms to the SSA. Your medical conditions would not last at least 1 year. Your assets or income are over the limit. Your medical conditions were not severe enough.

What is the most approved disability?

1. Arthritis. Arthritis and other musculoskeletal disabilities are the most commonly approved conditions for disability benefits. If you are unable to walk due to arthritis, or unable to perform dexterous movements like typing or writing, you will qualify.

What are 4 hidden disabilities?

The four most common types of hidden disabilities are:Autoimmune Diseases. In most people, the body's immune system protects them from invaders like bacteria and viruses. ... Mental Health Conditions. ... Neurological Disorders. ... Chronic Pain and Fatigue Disorders.

How do I ask my doctor to write my disability letter?

How to Ask Your Doctor for Disability: 7 Steps to Winning Doctor...STEP 1: Start with reality. ... STEP 2: Adjust your attitude. ... STEP 3: Make the “space” for a conversation with your doctor about your ability to work. ... STEP 4: Have a real doctor-patient conversation about your condition and ability to work.More items...•

What are the top 10 disabilities?

What Are the Top 10 Disabilities?Nervous System and Sense Organs. ... Intellectual Disabilities. ... Circulatory System. ... Schizophrenic and Other Psychotic Disorders. ... Other Mental Disorders. ... Injuries. ... Organic Mental Disorders. ... Neoplasms. Finally, the 10th top disability comes from neoplasms.More items...

How long does it take to be approved for SSI?

about 3 to 5 monthsGenerally, it takes about 3 to 5 months to get a decision. However, the exact time depends on how long it takes to get your medical records and any other evidence needed to make a decision. * How does Social Security make the decision? We send your application to a state agency that makes disability decisions.

What is the hardest state to get disability?

OklahomaOklahoma is the hardest state to get for Social Security disability. This state has an SSDI approval rate of only 33.4% in 2020 and also had the worst approval rate in 2019 with 34.6% of SSDI applications approved. Alaska had the second-worst approval rate, with 35.3% of applications approved in 2020 and 36.2% in 2019.

When should I apply for SSI?

You should apply as soon as you become disabled. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits have a five month waiting period, which means that benefit payments will not begin before the sixth full month of disability.

Pay attention to the deadlines

The first thing that otherwise your attorney would take care of, and now you have to do it, is not to miss a single deadline, because it will significantly complicate and prolong the whole process which is already quite complicated for your as a layman. You have to file your reconsideration request promptly.

Before the hearing

The Office of Hearings Operations is now in charge of you and they will announce the date of your hearing 75 days in advance. That is enough time to prepare yourself the right way.

Medical files

The most important part of the whole process is to submit as detailed medical records as possible. Although as a rule the Social Security Administration should obtain all the necessary medical records, by no means you should count on it.

Brief

After you submit medical files, it’s time for the so-called brief. There you should write a brief review of all the new medical files that you have submitted and write down all the reasons why you think that now your case is strong enough to grant you all the benefits.

Hearing

When it comes time for a hearing, you need to know a few things. First remember that this is an official thing and that you have to follow the dress code, be correct, use appropriate words and the like.

Who can fill out the SSDI application?

A lawyer or advocate can fill out the SSDI or SSI application on your behalf and help gather medical records and other evidence for your claim. They can review your application for mistakes or omissions that could hurt your chances of success and can join you for meetings or conferences with Social Security officials.

What happens if you claim Social Security?

If your claim is successful, Social Security pays your representative directly out of your “back pay” — past-due benefits the SSA can award if it determines after the fact that you were medically qualified to receive benefits while still awaiting a ruling on your case.

How does the SSA work?

The SSA will work directly with your representative and provide access to information from your Social Security file. Having an attorney or advocate can be especially important if you disagree with Social Security's initial decision on your claim and file an appeal.

Where can I get SSA-1696 form?

Download an SSA-1696 form from the Social Security website and send the completed version to your local Social Security office. Alternatively, your representative can file it for you electronically. Both you and your representative will need to provide an electronic signature for verification.

Can you verbally appoint a representative for Social Security?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Social Security is also permitting claimants to verbally appoint a representative during a telephone hearing with an administrative law judge. You must still submit the written notice afterward.

Does having a representative help with disability?

But research has shown that having a professional representative can boost your chances of getting Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the two SSA-run programs that pay benefits to people with disabilities.

What is a non-citizen on SSI?

the non–citizen must be in a qualified alien category, and. meet a condition that allows qualified aliens to get SSI benefits. A non–citizen must also meet all of the other requirements for SSI eligibility, including the limits on income, resources, etc.

How long can I get SSI?

You may receive SSI for a maximum of 7 years from the date DHS granted you qualified alien status in one of the following categories, and the status was granted within seven years of filing for SSI: Refugee admitted to the United States (U.S.) under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA);

Why does my SSI stop?

For example, your SSI will stop if you lose your status as a qualified alien because there is an active warrant for your deportation or removal from the U.S. If you are a qualified alien but you no longer meet one of the conditions that allow SSI eligibility for qualified aliens, then your SSI benefits will stop.

What is CAL disability?

Compassionate Allowances (CAL) are a way to quickly identify diseases and other medical conditions that, by definition, meet Social Security’s standards for disability benefits. These conditions primarily include certain cancers, adult brain disorders, and a number of rare disorders that affect children.

What is considered income for SSI?

Income, for the purposes of SSI includes: money you earn from work; money you receive from other sources, such as Social Security benefits, workers compensation, unemployment benefits, the Department of Veterans Affairs, friends or relatives; and. free food or shelter.

How long can you be ineligible for Social Security if you give away a resource?

If you give away a resource or sell it for less than it is worth in order to reduce your resources below the SSI resource limit, you may be ineligible for SSI for up to 36 months.

What are resources for SSI?

Resources, for the purposes of SSI, are things you own such as: cash; bank accounts, stocks, U.S. savings bonds; land; vehicles; personal property; life insurance; and. anything else you own that could be converted to cash and used for food or shelter. We do not count the value of all of your resources for SSI.

What to do if Social Security rejects your application?

If Social Security rejects your initial application, the only thing you can do is to appeal. Now, knowing where you went wrong the first time can be quite difficult to determine. Besides, after you’ve been rejected, your case SSD case becomes much more complex, which lowers your chances of success. Now, we’re not saying you won’t be able to appeal successfully! With enough preparation and research, you can certainly succeed in getting your SSD approved. However, hiring a reliable attorney can make the entire process much easier for everyone involved. A legal professional has sufficient knowledge and experience to determine the best ways you can appeal to SSA’s decision.

How to build an SSD claim?

The first step in building your SSD claim has to be gathering appropriate proof. That includes contacting your primary physician and other medical professionals to get your medical records in their written form. Other than that, you’ll need to know whether these documents are usable in your claim or not. Sometimes, you’ll need to update your records and get a more recent examination to make your claim valid. You can do this by yourself, but your attorney can do it much faster and much more accurately.

Do you have to have a lawyer to win SSD?

According to some research, people who’re represented by a lawyer are much more likely to win their SSD claims than those who choose to represent themselves. In fact, recent government reports show that those applicants who used representatives were allowed benefits three times as often as those without any lawyers at their side. Of course, if you’re adamant about going solo to court, don’t get discouraged! Every case is different, and people still do win their cases without hiring a representative.

Can I get disability without a lawyer?

All in all, yes, you can win social security disability without the help of a lawyer. However, representing yourself does make things a bit more difficult. Statistically speaking, you’re more likely to get rejected if you choose not to hire a legal representative. The law doesn’t require you to hire a disability attorney, but it’s still a safer way to get things done.