Social Security pays a monthly benefit to people who have worked the required number of years prior to becoming disabled and whose condition meets the criteria for disability according to the Social Security Administration. Disabled adults and children may qualify for some cash benefits if they don’t meet the work requirement but have a disabling condition and meet other criteria. Applicants may be asked to provide contact information for all professionals who treated their condition in order to process the claim in a timely manner.

The Application Process

The Social Security Administration has online and paper forms that the applicant may fill out on their own. However, for those who might not be able to do this without assistance, representatives are available to help. Those who are unsure of whether their condition makes them qualified for benefits or who were denied when they tried to apply on their own could seek the help of a Social Security Lawyer in Muskegon, MI to guide them through the application process.

Approval Time Frame

Some applicants get approved for disability benefits right away, but they tend to be the exception. Many claims are initially denied and the most common reason is missing information. This is why it’s so important to have a Social Security Lawyer in Muskegon, MI look over the forms prior to submitting them. The representatives from the Social Security Administration may request additional documentation from medical professionals to verify the information provided in the application. This could take some time, but the initial claim should be processed in 90 days. If the decision is appealed, whether by the applicant or their lawyer, the appeal should be decided in six months.

Because disability benefits provide much needed financial support for someone who cannot work due to their medical condition, it’s important to apply early. It could take months to begin receiving benefits, and most creditors aren’t going to wait to be paid while the claim is in process. Working with an experienced firm like Bleakley Law Offices P C could help expedite a disability claim by ensuring it is complete the first time it’s submitted.