Q: Can the outcome of a social security disability case be affected by the employment record of an applicant?
A: Past employment is important to your disability case. Determining whether social security disability insurance should be given is in part dependent upon the work a person could do, in spite of his current medical condition. The case manager is interested in your work history to determine if you are able to still perform jobs you have had before. In addition, your work history will also help the examiner for your case know if you can perform other types of work. To make social security disability claims less subjective, a set of guidelines were established to help the case manager determine the eligibility of an applicant. The age of an applicant, academic history and limitations caused by the medical condition are all factored in. This grid helps them decide if a person is capable of doing any of his previous employment or other employment. The guidelines are a tool and are not perfect. The limitations of a condition and the need for social security disability insurance are very difficult to fit into a simple set of guidelines. The disability examiner has to use his judgment to establish whether an applicant can perform past or other employment at a level to support himself. Your work history is a significant factor to your case.
Q: Are SSDI and SSI the same thing?
A: Both SSI and SSDI are disability programs offered by Social Security, but they are not the same thing. To be eligible for SSDI, or Social Security Disability Insurance, an applicant must have been in the workforce long enough to have accrued enough work credits for benefits. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is awarded based on financial need. An applicant for SSI need not have been in the workforce for a certain amount of time to be eligible for benefits.
Q: How long does a claim take?
A: If all the required paperwork is submitted and filled out correctly, the average time for a claim to be initially reviewed is 90 days. The most common reason an application is delayed is due to a wait for medical records. Assuring that your claims representative has all the required information is key to avoiding delays. If you receive notification that your social security disability claim was not approved after the initial review process, you will probably wish to have it reconsidered and (if necessary) heard before an administrative judge. Having a case reconsidered and heard before an administrative judge will make your claim take even longer. A decision on some claims may take a couple years. Related sites Social security lawyer ... Social security benefits ... Social security disability ... Disability attorney ...

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