When you have a disability that prevents you from working, you may have the opportunity to secure Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. Before most people can start collecting benefits, their SSD claims must be approved. However, you could receive benefits while waiting for disability determination, in some situations.
How does Disability Determination Work?
Once you have completed your Social Security Disability application, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will review it to determine whether you have met the criteria for approval. This includes:
- Having a qualifying disability
- Earning a minimum number of work credits (if applying for SSDI)
The Social Security office will then send your application to the Disability Determination Services (DDS) office for review. The DDS will take a close look at your application to determine how severely your condition limits your ability to earn a living and otherwise impacts your life.
If you meet the eligibility requirements, your SSD application should be approved. However, you also need to consider how you are going to continue to get by while your application is under review.
For a free legal consultation, call (404) 888-8888
Expedited Payment Options Could Benefit You and Your Family
Fortunately, despite the fact that you have to wait for your SSD claim to be approved, you may be eligible for one or more expedited payment options. These include blindness or presumptive disability, emergency advance payments, immediate payments, and expedited reinstatement.
Blindness or Presumptive Disability
When you have applied for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, you may be eligible for presumptive disability or presumptive blindness payments while you wait for your DDS decision. Blindness and presumptive disability benefits can be paid for a maximum of six months while you wait for the DDS to make a decision.
Some of the more common conditions that may be eligible for presumptive blindness or presumptive disability payments include:
- Amputation of the leg at the hip
- Total blindness
- Total deafness
- Confinement to a bed or immobility without a wheelchair
- Cerebral palsy
- Muscular atrophy
- Muscular dystrophy
- Stroke
- Neurodevelopmental impairment, such as autism
- Other intellectual disability
- Down syndrome
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
- End-stage renal disease (ESRD)
If you receive presumptive disability or presumptive blindness benefits and the DDS denies your SSI application, you will not be expected to repay the benefits paid to you. However, if you received an overpayment due to excess income or other sources, you may be asked to repay a portion of your benefits.
Emergency Advance Payments
Emergency advance payments are eligible for individuals who have applied for SSI benefits and are facing financial emergency. The SSA can only provide one such advance payment. You may be eligible for maximum emergency advance payments amounting to the SSI federal benefit rate, the amount requested for your specific financial emergency, or the total amount of the benefits due.
Such financial emergencies might include safety emergencies, health emergencies, shelter emergencies, clothing emergencies, or money for food. Any emergency advance payments paid to you will be deducted from your SSI benefits if your application is approved. The SSA will subtract the emergency advance payment and up to six monthly installments.
Immediate Payments
Immediate payments may be available to those already receiving SSI and whose benefits have been delayed, not received, and are facing an immediate financial emergency. Immediate payments have a maximum limit of $999. Your immediate payments will be deducted from your SSI benefits once your first regular payment is due.
Expedited Reinstatement
Expedited reinstatement benefits may be available if your SSI or SSDI benefits were terminated due to an excess of earned income. You can request expedited reinstatement if:
- You are unable to work at the Substantial gainful activity (SGA) level
- Have a current impairment that is related to or the same as your original disability
- You are unable to perform SGA in a given specific month
Provisional benefits may be available for up to six months while you wait for the DDS to decide your expedited reinstatement request. You will not need to be repaid if the DDS denies your claim.
Contact a Social Security Disability Lawyer’s Team for Help Today
When your disability prevents you from continuing to support yourself and your family, accessing the Social Security disability benefits you need while you are waiting for your disability determination could be life-changing.
Get help accessing the benefits you need when you retain Social Security Disability lawyers at Bader Scott Injury Lawyers. Fill out our quick contact form or call our office when you are ready for a no-cost, risk-free consultation. Your Social Security Disability lawyer can help you get the answers and clarity to plan for your future.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
