Luckily, SSA has many services available online. The services are mostly easy to use, but caution is still necessary. Although many activities can be completed online, it is often still necessary to submit paper documents to complete the process.

The following are the most relevant online services for individuals that are pursuing disability benefits from SSA:

• Research Disability Requirements
• Request SSA Benefit Statement
• Check Status of Social Security Disability Claims
• File an Appeal of your Social Security Disability/Supplemental Security Income Denial
• File an Application for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits

Although SSA has done an excellent job of providing online resources for individuals pursuing disability benefits, it is always recommended to consult an experienced legal respresentative before relying on the information found. SSA does not tailor information on its website to you specifically, and it is possible that information you find may not be accurate based on your unique circumstances.

Researching Requirements of Disability Programs

The SSA Website provides a wealth of details about SSA disability programs. One of the most useful tools is the Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool (BEST). BEST uses details that you provide to help determine which SSA programs, if any, you qualify for. Although this tool normally correctly identifies the programs that individuals may be eligible for, do not assume that the answers are always accurate. If BEST indicates that you do not qualify for benefits, I would still be available to help determine if the information that was provided is accurate.

My favorite part of SSA’s online services, is information that it provides to help you understand SSDI and SSI. An overview of the disability program requirements, application process, and the determination process are provided. There is also a section for Frequently Asked Questions about SSDI and SSI. Most information is general, but it still is a great educational resource. I provide much of the same details found on SSA’s website during an initial consultation appointment, but potential clients often find it helpful to have knowledge of the disability programs before we meet.

Request Social Security Benefit Statement

SSA normally sends a benefit statement to all adults with reported income several months prior to their birthday each year. The Social Security Benefit Statement provides information that is useful in determining eligibility for SSA disability programs. The benefit statement provides estimates of your eligibility amount for various Social Security Programs including disability, and helps an advocate determine whether you have sufficient work credits to qualify for SSDI.

If you have not received a Social Security Benefit Statement recently, SSA allows you to request a benefit statement from its website. It typically takes between 2 to 4 weeks to receive a statement after it is requested. I recommend that all potential clients request a Social Security Benefit Statement prior to applying for benefits. The statement provides the single best way of answering the question, “how much will I receive if I am approved for disability benefits?” If you do not have earnings information available when you meet with me, I am normally unable to answer that question. The Social Security Benefit Statement solves that problem.

There is no hazard of requesting your benefit statement without assistance from a legal representative, and I highly recommend that anyone considering applying for disability benefits request one.

Checking the Status of Your Disability Application

When you apply for SSDI or SSI you are provided with an application confirmation number. This number is provided whether you apply for benefits online or in person at your local SSA office. If you apply in-person, your application number is on your application receipt. When you apply online, the confirmation number is provided when submitting your application.

With an application confirmation number, you are able to check the status of your application through SSA’s website. Typically, the only information provided is that your application is pending. You are not provided with specifics of the process or alerted to problems with the processing of your application.

Although the information provided is not currently very useful, I expect that this will improve in the future. Currently, I warn my clients not to rely on any of the information that is found on the online status page. I have found that several times after an appeal is submitted, SSA’s website has not yet updated the status of the claim. If you are concerned about the information provided when you check on your status, I can work with SSA to obtain accurate information.

File an Appeal Online

SSA allows you to file an appeal of an initial denial or reconsideration denial of SSDI or SSI online. However, there are multiple steps that are necessary to actually complete the appeal. Although an experienced attorney is able process an appeal online without difficulty, an inexperienced individual can easily miss a required step when attempting to file an online appeal. If you fail to accurately complete your appeal, it is possible that you could lose substantial benefits or even eligibility.

I personally use the online appeal process for all my clients. It saves time for SSA because a claims representative does not need to enter all of the information by hand. It saves time for my office because we receive receipts confirming the submission of the appeal and I know the information was entered accurately.

The process is simple if you know what you are doing, but small mistakes can lead to the loss of substantial benefits. Before using the online appeal process, I would highly recommend obtaining the help of a legal representative. If you are unable to obtain help from an attorney, it is in your best interest to appeal in-person at your local SSA office.

Filing an Application for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits (SSDI)

SSA encourages all individuals applying for SSDI to apply online. By applying online, you save valuable time for claims representatives. Instead of a claims representative having to take 30 to 60 minutes to meet with you to complete application, they simply review the information transmitted from the Internet and make sure that you have completed all steps necessary to apply for benefits. Since SSA resources are limited, online filings assist representatives with handling more claims.

SSA indicates that it takes an average of 30 minutes to complete an online application for SSDI. Although it is not very time consuming to complete, the answers that you provide will have a long-lasting impact on your eligibility for benefits. For individuals that are not well versed in the disability process, several mistakes can be made. Entering the wrong date can cost you several months or years of disability eligibility. Incorrectly providing information can also be considered fraud with criminal implications.

I agree that the online application is great productivity tool for SSA, but I am concerned that individuals can potentially harm themselves by completing an application without the help of an experienced legal representative.

The value of applying in person is that an SSA claims representative is also required to screen your claim for eligibility for other programs. When you apply online, you can currently only file an application for SSDI. Additional steps are necessary in order to complete an SSI application. Failure to apply for SSI can result in loss of potential financial and medical benefits.

I normally use the online application process to complete applications in my office. This allows my staff to review the information being submitted and confirm its accuracy. It is important to note that after you complete an online application on SSA’s website, several additional documents still need to be submitted before your application is actually complete. If you fail to submit all documents, your application may never be processed and you could lose potential benefits and even eligibility. If you need help filing an application for disability benefits, contact my office so I can determine if I can assist you.

Be Careful Using Social Security Online Resources without Help

Although I applaud SSA for embracing technology and using it to be more productive, many risk are involved with the online tools that have been made available. I recommend that individuals strongly consider scheduling a consultation with my office before pursuing Social Security disability benefits or appealing disability denials using the online tools.

The value of the free initial consultation is that there is no obligation when consulting my office for help. SSA Online services are helpful for individuals to educate themselves and obtain general information, but the services introduce inherent risks that were not present when you were required to interact with an SSA claims representative.

This article was written by Steven Butler. Steven is a partner at Linarducci & Butler, PA and his practice is limited to Social Security Disability/SSI claims. Steven offers free initial consultations for Social Security Disability/SSI claims to residents of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. To schedule a consultation with Steven, please use the Linarducci & Butler Contact Form or call 302-613-0707 to schedule an appointment.

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When you are approved for benefits, your Social Security file is transferred back to the SSA District Office closest to your mailing address. Luckily in today’s electronic file age, this step happens almost immediately after your decision is issued. The payment process depends on the type of benefit you are entitled to from SSA, and whether you have received Workers Compensation.

Entitled to only Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

If you were found eligible only for SSDI, your payments are determined by a National Payment Center or a Regional Program Service Center. A Notice of Award is issued indicating the months that you are eligible to receive payments, the total amount of benefits that you are due, and if you are only receiving SSDI, information on when your benefits will be paid.

Normally if you are only entitled to SSDI, you are paid quickly after an ALJ decision. The majority of my clients that only qualify for SSDI receive their past-due benefits within 30 days of the ALJ decision, and begin to receive monthly benefits the month following their decision.

Entitled to only Supplemental Security Income Payments (SSI)

If you are only eligible for SSI, the determination of your payments is made at your local SSA office. You are contacted by a Claims Representative at SSA and asked to provide financial information for every month that you are eligible for payments. The local office will be interested in any assistance that you had from friends or family, any work that you performed, assets that you own, and money that is held in any bank or retirement accounts. You will also be asked to provide information about unearned income from unemployment, disability benefits, Workers Compensation, pension programs, or any other source.

Since SSI is a poverty-based disability program, your benefit eligibility may be reduced if you have had financial support from any other source. If you lived somewhere for free, your benefits are normally reduced by one-third of the maximum monthly rate. Since specific information is needed to determine your eligibility, no payments can be released until your local office confirms your financial eligibility.

When you are entitled to past-due benefits from SSI, you must be paid in installments if you are entitled to more than three times the maximum monthly benefit for SSI. In 2009 and 2010, the maximum SSI benefit is $674 per month. If your past-due benefits exceed $2022, you will be paid in 2 to 3 installments six months apart. If you are still owed past-due SSI after your first installment payment of a maximum of $2022, your second payment will be received six months later. The maximum you receive in the second installment is also three times the maximum monthly SSI amount. If after your second installment you were still owed past-due SSI payments, you will receive the remainder of your past-due benefits in your third installment (which will be paid six months after your second installment and one year following your first payment).

It normally takes between 30-60 days for an individual to receive their first payment if they are approved for SSI. If you are approved for SSI, the most important thing is to provide all required financial information to SSA as soon as possible after your decision. If you fail to respond to requests from SSA, you will not receive your payments.

Entitled to SSDI, but also Received Workers Compensation

If you are approved for SSDI, but also have received any Workers Compensation for the period before or during your disability, SSA will also need documentation of your Workers Compensation amounts. Even if you received Workers Compensation for an injury that is not related to your disability, your SSDI payments can be reduced because of your Workers Compensation. You must provide documentation of any weekly or bi-weekly payments and lump sums that you received (including permanency, disfigurement, or commutations).

When you have received Workers Compensation and you are approved for SSDI, it is normal to experience delays before your past-due benefits and monthly payments are processed. It normally takes between 60 to 120 days for these issues to be resolved. The faster that you provide proof of your Workers Compensation payments, the faster your SSDI payments will be released.

If you provide inaccurate or incomplete information to SSA, you may be paid too much. Normally if the Social Security Administration needs additional information about your Workers Compensation, your Notice of Award will indicate that your payments cannot be determined until you provide additional documentation regarding your Workers Compensation. If you received Workers Compensation, but is not mentioned in your Notice of Award, you are obligated to inform SSA of the mistake.

Entitled to both SSDI and SSI

If you are entitled to both SSDI and SSI, it is common to experience lengthy delays in having your past-due benefits processed. Normally when you are approved for both programs, you are found to be entitled to past-due benefits from SSI, but only monthly benefits from SSDI. After your SSI past-due benefits are determined, SSA will reduce your past-due SSDI by the amount that you received from SSI. This is because you are only entitled to receive the Social Security benefit that would provide you most money on a monthly basis.

Although your monthly benefits normally begin 30 to 60 days after receiving your ALJ decision, it is common to experience delays of 2 to 6 months before receiving your past-due benefits. It is also normal to receive part of your benefits from SSI, and part of your past-due benefits from SSDI.

The reason for the lengthy payment delays is that both the your local SSA District Office and the National Payment Center are required to complete work before you can receive your past-due benefits. If your SSI payments have not been determined by the local office when the Payment Center processes your SSDI, your Notice of Award will indicate that your past-due benefits cannot be released until after your SSI eligibility is determined. If the Payment Center and the District Office fail to communicate properly, your payments will not be processed until the error is discovered.

Who is Paid Quickest?

Payments are processed quickest if you only qualify for SSDI. This is because no financial information is needed to determine your benefit amount. Social Security simply plugs your earnings history into the disability formula to determine your monthly rate.

The group that is paid the next quickest are individuals that simply qualify for SSI. Although financial information is needed to determine your benefit amount, as soon as those calculations are performed, your money can be released.

The longest delays occur if you are entitled to both SSDI and SSI, or you are entitled to SSDI and have received Workers Compensation. This is because in both these situations, data must be transferred between two offices before your payments can be processed.

Can I do Anything to Speed-up the Payment Process?

I normally suggest to my clients that they be patient during the payment process. If monthly benefits and past-due payments are not made within 60 days of the decision, I suggest that they contact one of their United States Senators for assistance. Normally a Constituent Representative at the Senator’s office will be able to contact SSA to obtain information about the delay, and find out what can be done to process the benefits.

If an individual is being represented for their Social Security disability claim, it is important that they discuss the payment process with their attorney. Any problems that are encountered during the payment process should be reported to your attorney. If you are unrepresented, it is important that you handle all payment matters calmly with your Social Security representative. The SSA Claims Representative normally cannot release your money directly, but can help identify errors that have occurred. This individual is usually your best ally in receiving benefits as quickly as possible.

This article was written by Steven Butler. Steven is a partner at Linarducci & Butler, PA and his practice is limited to Social Security Disability/SSI claims. Steven offers free initial consultations for Social Security Disability/SSI claims to residents of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. To schedule a consultation with Steven, please use the Linarducci & Butler Contact Form or call 302-613-0707 to schedule an appointment.

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First, thank you to all my wonderful current and former clients. Your confidence in me is the only reason that I have a job. Thank you for understanding when I have to deliver disappointing news or when I cannot immediately speak with you or return your call. Thank you for believing in my office and me, and for referring your friends and family when they need assistance. Despite the daily struggle that many of you face, you are still courteous, understanding, and patient as we navigate a difficult system together. I am always shocked when even the people that I could not help, refer a family member or friend to me. Thank you for believing in me and for trusting me.

I also want to thank the wonderful and underappreciated employees at the Social Security Administration, Delaware Disability Determination Service, and Office of Disability Adjudication and Review. You all have thankless jobs and are many times the focus of unwarranted criticism. Without the work that you do, many would have nothing to be thankful about today. Although I do not always agree with your conclusions (see Impact of High Administrative Law Judge Denial Rates on Disabled Delaware Residents ), I thank you for your hard work, your dedication, and your compassion. You each have difficult jobs with an extraordinary workload, but most of you still go beyond the duties of your positions to help others.

I also appreciate all of the community members that have enough confidence in me to continue to turn to me for help, or respond to my requests for help each day. I have the opportunity to interact with many wonderful doctors, attorneys, elected officials, and community organizers on a daily basis. Each of you assists me by referring new clients, responding to my requests, and by helping my clients. The support that you provide to your own clients, patients, and your communities, makes my job easier and improves the lives of my clients.

Finally, I would to thank my family, friends, and employees. Each of you is responsible for my success. You provide me with assistance and support when I need it, and understanding when I am demanding and unpleasant. I would not be able to accomplish all I that I do each day if it were not for your help. When I have difficulties in my own life, you provide a shoulder to lean on, and you help make my life easier. Thank you each for being part of my life.

So as you celebrate Thanksgiving today, do not think about what your live is lacking, but instead what you have. Even if you are in a difficult position today, take time to thank those that have supported you, and think of those that are less fortunate. And as each new days begins, try to remember to continue to take time to thank those who help you on a daily basis. Thank you again to everyone mentioned (and those that I have forgotten) and Happy Thanksgiving!

This article was written by Steven Butler. Steven is a partner at Linarducci & Butler, PA and his practice is limited to Social Security Disability/SSI claims. Steven offers free initial consultations for Social Security Disability/SSI claims to residents of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. To schedule a consultation with Steven, please use the Linarducci & Butler Contact Form or call 302-613-0707 to schedule an appointment.

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Social Security Administration District Office Responsibilities

When you apply for benefits (either directly at your local Social Security Office, by telephone, or on the Internet), your application is processed at your nearest Social Security Administration Office. The local office is responsible for determining if all required materials have been submitted, and checking for your eligibility for every disability program that the Social Security Administration administers. Although the Social Security Administration will accept any medical evidence that you have with you, the local office does not actually review your medical records or request additional records that are needed to determine your medical eligibility.

The main role of your local Social Security District Office is to process your application when you apply for benefits, and to process your decision. To determine your non-medical eligibility, your local Social Security Administration Office reviews your work history, your current financial status, and in some situations information about your spouse, deceased spouse, ex-spouse, and/or your parents. The local office also assist you in determining the correct date to use as your alleged onset date (the date you became unable to work) and in completing forms that are needed to make the medical determination on your claim. Once all the information is received by the local office, a determination is made of whether you meet the non-medical requirements for at least one disability program. As long as you qualify on a non-medical basis for a disability program, your file is transmitted to the Disability Determination Service for a medical eligibility decision.

Disability Determination Service Responsibilities

The Disability Determination Service is a State Agency contracted by the Social Security Administration to determine your medical eligibility for disability benefits. The Disability Determination Service is funded by the Federal Government, and its employees are trained in applying Social Security Administration Regulations and operating procedures. Although each State has its own Disability Determination Service, the medical requirements to be found disabled are the same throughout the United States.

While your application is pending, it is usually in your best interest to provide information directly to the Disability Determination Service (unless it is requested by your Social Security Administration Office). If medical updates or other information is needed to determine your medical eligibility, you will receive a phone call or letter from the Disability Determination Service requesting the information. If you submit any information directly to the Social Security Administration Office, it is supposed to be transmitted to the Disability Determination Service for consideration; however, since your local Social Security Administration Office and the Disability Determination Service are rarely in the same location, it is in your best interest to provide information directly to the Disability Determination Service.

Processing after Medical Determination is Made

Once a medical decision is made on your claim, your file is transmitted back to your local Social Security Administration Office for processing. If you are denied benefits, a denial letter is issued on Social Security Administration letterhead explaining the evidence that was used to deny your claim and why you do not qualify for benefits. If you file an appeal, your local Social Security Administration Office is responsible for processing your appeal and transmitting your file to the proper location for further consideration of your disability.

If you are approved for disability benefits, the local Social Security Administration Office again confirms that you meet the non-medical requirements (based on the medical approval), and your payments are calculated. If you are only eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance or Widow/Widower’s Disability Benefits, your benefits are processed in a national payment center and a Notice of Award is issued. If you qualify for Supplemental Security Income Payments or you also receive Workers’ Compensation Payments, additional information must be provided to your local Social Security District Office before your benefits and award notice can be released.

What the Social Security Administration District Office Does Not Do

The most important thing to understand about the disability determination process is that your local Social Security Administration Office is not responsible for the medical determination of your disability. Opinions given on the strength of your claim at the local office are not relevant. Many of the Claims Representatives do not even fully understand the rules to be found disabled (nor should they be required to). Statements by Social Security Administration employees advising you to not pursue benefits, do not bother appealing your denial, you do not need an attorney, or there is no reason why you will not be approved, are not usually supported by facts. The Social Security Administration Claim’s Representatives are not supposed to provide you legal advice on how to pursue your claim, or discourage you from filing an application if you meet the non-medical requirements. Even if you do not currently meet the non-medical requirements, you may still qualify based on your status from the past.

Ask for Help Understanding the Process

I personally represent individuals at all stages of the Social Security Disability Process. One of the benefits of having an attorney assist you with your disability claim is that I eliminate the majority of your personal contact with the Social Security Administration District Office. Although all of the Social Security Administration employees that I work with are dedicated hard workers, I hear too often from my clients that they are misled or confused by information provided by the Social Security Administration Office. Based on my experience on all aspects of the Social Security Administration Disability Process, I am normally able to assist you in understanding and navigating the process while providing you with a better chance of being approved for disability benefits.

If you are considering applying for Social Security Disability Benefits, or you are already in the process of applying for benefits, I normally recommend that you contact an attorney to discuss your specific claim. If you are confused by the process, or believe that you have received misleading information, it is important to discuss your unique situation with an attorney that is experienced in the Social Security Administration Disability Process.

This article was written by Steven Butler. Steven is a partner at Linarducci & Butler, PA and his practice is limited to Social Security Disability/SSI claims. Steven offers free initial consultations for Social Security Disability/SSI claims to residents of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. To schedule a consultation with Steven, please use the Linarducci & Butler Contact Form or call 302-613-0707 to schedule an appointment.

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