Social Security disability (SSD) and supplemental security income (SSI) are federal benefit programs that provide financial resources to individuals who qualify. While SSD benefits are available to individuals with disabilities who have paid into the program through their employment, SSI is a “needs-based” program. This means that individuals can only […]
What would you do if you suffered an illness or got into an accident that prevented you from working for several months? You may think that the chances of such a thing happening are remote, but they are more common than most people think. Disabling illnesses and accidents are far […]
Millions of Americans struggle with some form of substance abuse disorder, including those involving drugs, alcohol, and prescription medications. These addictions can take a significant toll on the sufferer’s health. While substance abuse can also compromise the user’s employment prospects, substance abuse alone is not a qualifying condition for Social […]
The Social Security Administration (SSA) requires extensive medical documentation to establish the existence of a disability. The agency uses a very strict definition of “disability” that is much narrower than the common meaning of the term, and only claimants whose conditions meet those listed in the Blue Book will qualify […]
The application process for Social Security disability benefits can be lengthy. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), it takes about three to five months to make an initial decision on a claim. If the claim is approved, it takes approximately another five months for the benefits to begin. However, […]