Q: Are the disabled at risk in emergency situations?

The idea of becoming disabled and applying for Social Security disability benefits is frightening. 
The federal government offers two different disability benefits programs through the Social Security Administration. One is Social Security disability insurance (“SSDI”) and the other is supplemental security income (“SSI”).

Q: Are Social Security disability benefits recipients really disabled or just lazy?

Qualifying for Social Security disability insurance (“SSDI”) is not always easy. Even those who are ultimately approved, often wait months or even years for that approval, especially since 2/3 of initial applications are denied.

Do I qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance?

Helping the disabled navigate the complicated process of applying for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (“SSDI”) is what Arizona disability attorneys do best.

And considering that approximately 2/3 of all initial applications for SSDI are denied, trusting your application to an Arizona disability law attorney could mean the difference between an application or appeal being granted or denied.

Q: How might income tax reform impact disability benefits?

If you thought applying for Social Security disability benefits in Arizona was confusing, understanding the various programs administered through the Social Security Administration can be just as challenging.

For example, the federal government agency oversees two different disability benefits programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI”) and Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”).

Although both disability benefits programs require recipients to satisfy the federal government’s definition of mentally or physically “disabled”, both programs have more differences than similarities.

h2 class=””>Q: What is the penalty if I’m caught working while receiving Social Security disability benefits?

One of the advantages of living in America is the availability of federal government programs that provide assistance when hard times unexpectedly hit. At some point during their lifetimes, many working Americans may become physically or mentally disabled and unable to continue to work. When this happens, Social Security Disability benefits “SSDI” may be the lifeline you and your family need to financially survive the crisis.

Q: How much of an increase in their disability benefits can recipients expect?

If you are lucky enough to have been approved after applying for disability benefits, you will be happy to know that more money is coming your way in 2018.

The application process is difficult and time-consuming. To make matters worse, approximately two-thirds of initial disability claims get denied, necessitating an even more lengthy disability application appeal—making your waiting time for benefits approval stretch into many months and even years.

Q: Is the wait for a Social Security disability insurance benefits (“SSDI”) appeal nearly two years?

People are literally dying while waiting for a decision on their Social Security disability benefits applications.

An initial application for Social Security disability benefits can take about 8 months—a hardship in itself as most Americans’ “rainy day funds” may not last that long.

Q: How would work requirements for Medicaid impact disabled Arizonans?

Anyone who has gone through the process of applying for Social Security disability insurance benefits in Arizona (“SSDI”) knows how difficult and time-consuming the application process is– – especially if the initial application is denied. Some people take months and even years to get through the appeals process as their personal, financial, and medical situation worsens. In one month alone recently, 63% of initial disability claims nationwide were rejected.

What Are Work Credits?

Social Security Disability benefits are distributed, with very few exceptions, to adults who have had a working career before they became disabled. The recipient has to have worked for a minimal amount of time in order to be eligible; the time period is measured in blocks called “work credits.” The number of work credits you need in order to receive benefits depends on the age at which you became disabled. This system is based on the fact that each paycheck you have received has been tapped for a FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) contribution which funds Social Security and Medicare.

Typically, you need 40 work credits, 20 or which you’ve earned during the last 10 years before you became disabled.