Acquiring Social Security Disability Benefits

 Your St. Petersburg social security disability attorney can explain that there are two different programs that can provide you with disability benefits if you have an impairment and are unable to work: Social Security Disability and Social Security Income. Here is an overview of the application process.

Social Security Disability
Your St. Petersburg social security disability attorney can explain that these benefits are based on what an eligible individual has received in income during the preceding 10 years. However, you need not have worked continuously or full-time to qualify for benefits. As long as you worked about half of the time in the last 10 years, you may meet this particular eligibility guideline. In order to receive these benefits, your impairment must be considered severe and cause you to be unable to work. Additionally, your impairment must be one that is expected to last one year or result in death. Short-term disabilities will not qualify you. Depending on the nature of your impairment, your age, work experience and education may also be considered.

Proving Your Case
Your St. Petersburg social security disability lawyer can discuss ways that you can help prove your case. Here are a few that he or she may highlight.

Medical Records
Your St. Petersburg social security disability attorney will likely stress the need to have a well-documented case to present to the Social Security Administration. It is vital that you be able to show the Administration that you are suffering from a serious impairment. Having a diagnosis in hand with a list of prescribed treatment can help strengthen your claim. Additionally, it is important that the person who is completing the forms required by the Social Security Administration be someone who is knowledgeable about your ability to complete work-related tasks. By having a strong relationship with your primary care physician, you may be able to get him or her to complete these forms instead of delegating the task to someone who is not familiar with your impairment and treatment history.

If you would like to learn more about applying for either program, contact Mike Murburg, PA, at (877) 774-2889.