When a person becomes disabled, the Social Security Administration (SSA) advises them to apply for SSD benefits as soon as possible. You have three options for applying for SSD benefits: online, by phone, or in person at your neighborhood Social Security office.

However, the application procedure is lengthy and challenging. Every year, the Social Security Administration (SSA) gets millions of applications, initially rejecting more than they accept. When this occurs, applicants have numerous avenues for appealing, and many ultimately succeed in getting the SSD benefits they are entitled to.

Social security disability eligibility criteria

You must submit critical documents to establish your eligibility for benefits when you file an SSD claim in Kentucky. Usually, having enough pertinent medical data in your application is the key to getting your SSD application granted. Remember that to qualify for SSD benefits; a person must be out of the workforce for at least a year. Here are the critical documents:

• A birth certificate
• Evidence of American citizenship or legal immigration status
• A copy of your military discharge papers if you served before 1968
• W-2 forms or the prior year’s self-employment tax returns
• An Adult Disability Report that covers your illness and your employment history
• Health histories, including physician reports and test findings
• Workers’ compensation benefit documentation, such as settlement contracts or pay stubs

Tax documents like W-2 forms and medical records can be photocopied and submitted to the SSA. Other documents must be presented in original conditions, including your birth certificate.

When requesting disability benefits, you will also require other information. The Social Security Administration will inquire as to whether you or anybody else has ever applied for SSD benefits on your behalf, if you have earned an income each year since 1978, and whether you have ever been convicted.

The SSA will also inquire about your name, age, marital status, and whether you have children. You must present the names and ages of your spouse and children to the SSA if you are married or have kids.

Disability determination process in social security

You’ll most likely submit your SSD application through a regional office, which will be processed locally, even if you submit it online. These offices have representatives who take applications in person, over the phone, through the mail, or online. 

They will enquire about your disability throughout the application process, including your impairment, the treatments you’ve been getting, and other relevant details. After that, a representative will confirm any non-medical qualifying restrictions you may have, like your age, marital status, and employment background.

During this procedure, the SSA will also decide whether you meet their definition of disability. You must have a condition eligible as a disability under Social Security’s definition to be deemed disabled.

conclusion

It may be challenging to file an SSD claim, and it can take a while before you get the required benefits. But don’t go through this process alone. An SSD lawyer can help you with your initial application and prepare you for the appeals procedure if your claim is rejected.