Social Security Disability Insurance, also commonly referred to as SSDI, is a type of disability benefit that provides a monthly payment. It can be difficult to know whether or not you qualify for Social Security disability benefits, and even if you do, how to get them. Filing the claim itself can also be confusing. You may wonder, “How long does it take to get Social Security Disability in North Carolina?”
Social Security benefits for disabilities are not available to just anyone. There are certain qualifications that must be met before benefits can be received. It can be tricky to know what these are and to know how to show that you qualify. An experienced attorney can help you know what sort of information to gather and have ready to present in order to take the first step in receiving benefits for your disability.
What Is Social Security Disability?
Social Security Disability exists to help benefit individuals and their families who are not able to work because of a medical condition. These benefits extend to certain family members, including:
- Spouses who are 62 and older.
- A spouse of any age who is caring for your child who is under 16 years old.
- An unmarried child who is younger than 18 years old.
- A disabled, unmarried child whose disability started before the age of 22.
The purpose of Social Security Disability is to ensure that individuals who cannot work due to conditions outside of their control can still receive the necessary benefits to function throughout everyday life. This extends to family members who had been dependent on them and their income until their disability occurred.
How Do I Know if I Qualify as Disabled?
In order to qualify for Social Security Disability, your disability must be extensive and severe. Your condition must be hindering to the point that you are significantly limited or unable to complete basic working activities, including lifting, standing, walking, and more. Additionally, your condition must limit you from being able to function in this way for twelve months or more. Some of the medical conditions that may be considered qualifying include:
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Respiratory disorders
- Immune system disorders
- Neurological disorders
- Hematological disorders
- Skin disorders
- Digestive disorders
This is not an exhaustive list. When you apply for Social Security Disability, your condition will be reviewed to determine if it is debilitating enough to warrant you receiving benefits for it.
Applying for Social Security Disability
The process of applying for Social Security Disability can be confusing, especially because of the legal and medical terminology that is often included. It can be helpful to have the help and guidance of a lawyer who has experience in filing similar claims.
There are a variety of ways in which you may apply for disability benefits, including in person at your local Social Security Administration field office, over the telephone, or by filling out an application online. The application will be fairly straightforward and include questions about your disability or injury, the treatment you may have received, and other pertinent information.
Also, remember that to apply for Social Security Disability, you must have worked recently and long enough to qualify for disability benefits. Social Security is based on work credits you build up over time, and the number of credits you have earned over the years will impact your eligibility for benefits.
FAQs
Q: How Long Does It Take to Be Approved for Disability in North Carolina?
A: The time it takes to be approved for disability in North Carolina is different for every case because the circumstances of each case are always unique. However, approval usually takes about five months from the time you apply. Some factors that may alter or impact the timeline include how long it takes to receive medical records and other relevant documents or forms of evidence. If benefits are denied, an appeal and court hearing will significantly lengthen the time frame.
Q: Am I Eligible for Social Security Disability?
A: It can be difficult to determine on your own if you are eligible for Social Security disability. Eligibility depends largely upon the severity of your injury and how it impacts your quality of life and ability to perform normal tasks such as sitting, standing, walking, and more. If your injuries prevent you from participating in a typical work environment, you may be eligible to receive financial help.
Q: How Long Does It Take for Social Security Benefits to Start for a Disability?
A: Typically, you will begin receiving benefits from Social Security for a disability in the sixth month after it was found that your disability began. While this does not necessarily apply to every person in every situation, it is the general timeline for many cases. Payouts come in a month-by-month fashion and in the month after the month they were due. So, a benefit for March of 2023 would not come out until April 2023.
Q: Can I Speed Up the Social Security Disability Process?
A: There are some ways in which you can speed up the process of getting Social Security benefits for your disability. The first way is to ensure that you have been working for long enough and that you have actually worked enough recently to qualify for benefits. An experienced Social Security Disability lawyer can help you look into this. Another thing that can help is ensuring that you have all medical documents and information to verify your condition is ready to be reviewed.
Reach Out to a Seasoned Salisbury Social Security Disability Lawyer Today
If you have questions about your chances of receiving Social Security Disability or have been denied, do not waste time. Reach out to a knowledgeable Social Security Disability lawyer today who can answer your questions and guide you through the process of applying for disability benefits or initiating an appeal. You can find the guidance you need at M. Reid Acree, Jr., Attorney at Law.
We have been helping injured individuals for many years with their disability claims. We are dedicated to assisting those that have been denied to get the benefits they need. Contact us today to learn more about how our compassionate legal team can help you.