How Do You Get This Insurance?
You can only get this coverage by working. The government withholds about 7 percent of your wages and puts the money into a trust fund. Your employer puts in another 7 percent. This is exactly like paying premiums on your car insurance or homeowners policy, except it is paid by payroll deduction.
How Do You Get Paid a Benefit?
Like any other insurance, to get a benefit you must file a claim. You must prove that you meet the requirements. Here they are in a nutshell:
- You have a severe condition that prevents you from working and you can prove it medically.
- This condition will last for at least 12 consecutive months.
- You have stopped working.
- You have worked enough to be covered by SSDI.
Is Getting a Benefit Payment Easy?
Unfortunately, the government will usually quibble over whether you meet their rules to get a benefit. They will deny over 7 out of 10 applications. This will then involve a long, complicated appeal and eventually a hearing before a special judge who will make a decision.
You Can't Depend on SSDI for a Quick Benefit Payment in an Emergency!
SSDI does not cover the first 5 months of a disability. This is called a "waiting period" which is built into the law. So, if everything goes smoothly you might get your first check 5 months after you became disabled and stopped working. If you get denied, you may be looking at 2 or 3 years to get a check. So, savings is highly recommended. And if your employer has an option to purchase short-term or long-term private disability insurance, consider enrolling. It could cover you much quicker than SSDI and may provide benefits while you wait for Social Security to approve you. I highly recommend disability insurance through your employer if that is an available option. Like all insurance, however, you have to buy it before you need it.
The SSDI "Defense Industry"
Because so many SSDI claims are denied, there has grown up an enormous professional community of attorneys or advocates who specialize in Social Security disability. It is our job to assist claimants file a strong application, help gather the medical evidence required and later to pursue an appeal if it comes to that.
If you need help filing an application, filing an appeal or representation before a judge at a Social Security hearing, there is no shortage of advocates willing to help you. These representatives get paid only if they are successful and their pay is limited to a small portion of the back pay that they help you collect from Social Security. If a representative meets certain special qualifications, Social Security will withhold their fee and pay it directly.
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Charles W. Forsythe
The Forsythe Firm
7027 Old Madison Pike - Suite 108
"Across From Bridge Street"
Huntsville, AL 35806
PH (256) 799-0297
