If you are a resident of Florida and you also have a serious, debilitating disability, you may be wanting to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance through the U.S. Social Security Administration. A type of long-term assistance program intended for Americans with the most severe of disabilities as defined by the SSA, SSDI benefits may help you if you struggle to pay for basic necessities, such as food and housing. The SSDI benefit application process is not always easy, however, and many applicants have their initial claims denied. At Kaylor, Kaylor & Leto, P.A., we have a comprehensive understanding of the SSDI benefit application process, and we have helped many disabled clients file SSDI benefit claims and appeals.
Per Everyday Health, before you apply for SSDI benefits, have a frank conversation with your doctor. If he or she attests that your condition is unlikely to improve and is able to provide comprehensive documentation supporting the claim, this can strengthen your case. It is important to recognize, however, that just because your doctor attests that you have a severe disability, this does not automatically mean the SSA will agree and approve your claim.
Something else worth noting before applying for SSDI benefits is that they do not typically kick in immediately, so it is wise to have alternative plans in place to help you survive in the interim. Processing your claim can take months, so, in most cases, you can expect to start getting benefits about six months after your effective disabled date.
Furthermore, while SSDI benefits are generally long-term, you can anticipate that the SSA will examine your situation every so often once you start receiving benefits to ensure you still need them. Find out more about applying for SSDI benefits on our webpage.