Should I Speak with a Social Security Lawyer if I Have Not Yet Received Payment?
Q: When should I expect to actually start receiving benefits payments for SSDI?
A: You are not eligible to start receiving social security disability benefits until you have been injured for five months. The way the billing cycles work, though, you will not actually receive your first benefits check until six months after the date of onset of your condition. If you are awaiting back pay benefits, they are usually paid within 2 months of approval. Please note that you will not be given backpay for the 5 month waiting period after your onset date. A social security lawyer can be of valuable assistance, if you wish to apply for retroactive benefits or have not yet received your anticipated first benefits check after your 5 month waiting period.
Q: Will your dependents also receive disability payments?
A: Certain family members may be eligible to receive benefits, as well. Unmarried children under the age of 18 are eligible. If your child is a student, he is eligible until he turns 19. If your husband or wife is 62 or older, he or she might be eligible for benefits. Your spouse might qualify, regardless of age, if he is supporting your children who are 16 or younger. The payments your eligible dependents can get each month may be up to 50 percent of your benefits rate. If you are unclear about how to apply for benefits for your dependents, a social security lawyer can assist you.
Q: When you are currently receiving social security disability payments and your file is reviewed, what does it mean?
A: Social Security conducts regular reviews of all disability cases that were awarded benefits. When your claim is approved, a review schedule is set and is dependent upon the particular details of your condition. Most reviews are usually conducted every one, three, and seven years. Many state social security agencies have a bit of a review logjam right now, which means that many reviews are not happening on the one, three, seven year timeline. Because of that, you should be ready for a review at any time. The purpose of the reviews are to make sure that Social Security has the most current information about your medical and employment situation. Disability examiners are interested in determining whether your injury has improved, worsened or remains the same. If you are concerned about the results of a recent review of your file, it may be wise to seek the counsel of a social security lawyer. A social security lawyer will know how best to approach any resulting requested medical exams or reevaluation of eligibility for benefits.