You may not doubt that you require and qualify for a government assistance program, such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, to supplement your income and sustain your lifestyle. However, what is holding you back from requesting these benefits may be the overwhelming feeling of not knowing where or how to start. You may rest easier knowing that the Social Security Administration (SSA) has clear-cut expectations for the entire application process, beginning with the first step. So with that being said, please continue reading to learn the first step for receiving SSDI benefits and how an experienced New Jersey SSDI attorney at The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur can take this step with you.
What is the first step to take to receive SSDI benefits?
Evidently, the first step toward receiving SSDI benefits is filling out the SSA’s online adult disability application. It is important to answer each section of this application fully and clearly so that the SSA does not outright reject it. Without further ado, you may expect to be asked the following pieces of information:
- Your personal information:
- Your date and place of birth.
- Your marital status and marital history.
- Your dependents, their names, and their dates of birth.
- Your service in the United States military, if applicable.
- Your account type/number and bank routing number for direct deposit.
- Your medical history:
- Information on the doctors, hospitals, etc. you sought treatment from.
- The names of your prescription and non-prescription medications and their purpose.
- The dates of your medical examinations, treatments, and final diagnosis you received.
- Your employment history:
- Your employer details for the current year and the prior two years.
- Your self-employment details for the current year and the prior two years, if applicable.
- The types of duties you performed in the longest job position you held.
- The types of jobs you held in the past 15 years before you became unable to work.
- The date your medical condition began to affect your ability to work in your current job.
What can I expect from the rest of the process?
Upon submitting your application, the SSA may review your eligibility for SSDI benefits. Of note, they may take anywhere between six to eight months to get back to you on their initial decision.
First, they may look into your financial eligibility, in that you require supplemental income to support your basic needs. Then, they may determine the severity of your disability, and whether it falls on their list of eligible disabilities in the first place. They will also review your previous employment history to see if you have worked enough in your lifetime to receive these benefits. Lastly, they will evaluate the extent to which your disability affects your work capacity, and whether it is debilitating enough.
Now that you have this background knowledge, your next step should be to employ a skilled New Jersey SSDI attorney to represent you. So contact us at The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur today.
