Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is not an entitlement benefit; you must pay into the Social Security system in order to be eligible.

Typically, a service member must have either served or worked five of the past ten years to qualify for a disability benefit. SSDI benefits are reserved for individuals who can no longer work full time due to a medical condition that will last at least one year.

Your chances of being approved are significantly higher with an attorney.

The approval rate of cases in which a disability lawyer is involved is greater than 60%, when compared to the 40% who are not represented.

This discrepancy is due to a few basic facts.

Disability attorneys are well versed on the basic procedures and will ensure you are prepared for each level of the process. They assist in the thorough acquisition of your medical records, preparation for a hearing, continued contact with the SSA, and more.

Seeking the assistance of an attorney as early as the initial application level has proved to be vastly beneficial for benefit approval. Victory Disability alone has won over 15 million in benefits for Veterans.

There are many reasons as to why your benefits claim may have been denied:  

1. You do not meet the basic non-medical requirements (earn too much money, have insufficient work credits)

2. You do not meet the medical requirements (your condition will not last long enough, or is not severe enough)

3. You refuse to follow your doctors prescribed treatment/therapy

4. You will not cooperate with the SSA (refuse to release medical records, do not attend the required consultative examination, etc.)

5. The SSA cannot get in contact with you

6. Your disability is due to drug or alcohol abuse

7. There is not enough medical evidence (lack of thorough documentation or a doctor’s testimony)

8. You have been convicted of a crime (you cannot receive benefits while in prison or if you were injured while incarcerated)

9. You are committing fraud.  

Along with these 9 contributors comes the basic fact that if your application is not well developed, you are at a greater risk for denial. This particular problem can be alleviated with the help of an attorney.

Yes.

VA disability benefits are awarded to those who actively served in the military and were discharged on any grounds except dishonorable.

The Social Security Disability program is based upon an individual’s capacity for gainful employment. As long as you meet the requirements for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you are eligible for both programs.

Benefit amounts vary; the maximum individual amount is $3,822 per month.

If you have children under the age of 18, they can typically qualify for additional benefits up until their 18th birthday.