The primary factor evaluated in any social security application for disability benefits is whether or not the applicant is unable to engage in substantial gainful activity as a result of a documented medical impairment. A certified medical practitioner must be able to testify or state the documented medical impairment and how it impedes the applicant's ability to participate in substantial gainful activity.
During the process of your application, you might retain a disability attorney in Houston to evaluate your case and perform an initial assessment to help you understand whether or not you have enough work credits, have had appropriate FICA payroll tax withheld and whether or not your disability meets the determination standards created and used by the social security administration. In the event that you have not accumulated appropriate work credits during this time, you could still be eligible for supplemental security income.
There are similar aspects of applying for SSDI and SSI and it is beneficial to retain a disability attorney in Houston who has helped applicants with both types if you are not yet sure of your next steps. A disability attorney in Houston can assist with putting together a strong case that is worthy of approval by the SSA and helps to minimize the possibility for mistakes made that could lead to unnecessary denials. The initial application phase is in fact the most important component of your case and when done properly, can decrease the possibility of having to go through the reconsideration phase completely.
A complete collection of documentation of the disability and all medical records should be properly organized for submission to the SSA and all paperwork should be filled out correctly. If there are any possible gaps in your case, your disability attorney in Houston can advise you about these and help you to gather the necessary evidence to support your claim.
If you’re even thinking about applying for disability benefits, start collecting your medical records now. You might even want to discuss your condition with your doctor to get their opinion about whether you have reached maximum improvement for the time being. In addition to your doctor, consider speaking with a disability attorney in Houston to get support for your questions around receiving disability benefits for yourself.
Likewise, if you’re trying to help a family member with this application, you know just how hard it is to understand what’s being requested in the questions asked. You’re probably fairly nervous about whether making a statement one way or another could harm your loved one’s disability application. This is a common concern and one that prompts family members to call a Houston disability lawyer. Even if you’ve already started the paperwork and information gathering process, you might want to speak to a knowledgeable lawyer sooner rather than later to make sure you haven’t missed anything.