If you are no longer able to work due a debilitating illness or injury, you may be qualified to receive social security disability benefits in order to help you meet your financial obligations each month. However, before you decide whether or not to file a claim, there are a few facts that you should know.

There Are Two Types Of Benefits You May Qualify For

The Social Security Administration offers two types of benefits that you may qualify for -- SSDI and SSI benefits.

SSDI benefits, otherwise known as social security disability insurance benefits, are available to individuals who have paid into the disability system via payroll taxes and subsequently become disabled and unable to work. In order to qualify for these benefits, an individual will not only need to be medically disabled, but they will also need to have earned a specified number of work credits. These work credits are awarded based on a person's overall earnings each year.

SSI benefits, otherwise known as supplemental security income benefits, are available to disabled individuals who meet income guidelines. The purpose of these benefits is to help disabled individuals with limited financial resources to meet their financial obligations. In order to qualify for these benefits, an individual must be ruled disabled and must meet the income requirements. There is no need to pay into this system in order to receive benefits. Consequently, even individuals who do not qualify for SSDI benefits may be able to qualify for SSI benefits.

A Denial Does Not Mean The End Of Your Case

Unfortunately, even some truly qualified applicants will have their initial claim for benefits denied. In the event that this happens in your case, you should know that you have the right to appeal this decision. Choosing to exercise this right will not only provide you with the opportunity to finally get the benefits you deserve, but will also allow you to preserve the date of your original application. This is important since any benefits you are ultimately awarded will be retroactive based on the date your application was originally filed.

While the process of requesting an appeal hearing is quite simple, effectively presenting your case to an appeals judge may be far more complex. Therefore, before you file an appeal in your case, it is always best to seek out the expertise of a qualified disability attorney like those at the Law Offices Of Russell J. Goldsmith.

If you are worried about your ability to pay for legal representation, there is truly no need to worry. This is because most disability attorneys will work on a contingency basis, meaning that you never have to pay for these services upfront. Therefore, there truly is no reason to ever face the appeals process alone.

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