Frequently Asked Questions About Social Security Disability Benefits

JamesDisabilityLaw.com is a one-stop resource for Social Security disability information, covering everything from your initial application for Social Security disability benefits through your appeals and your hearing, and even what to do after you’ve been awarded Social Security disability benefits.

These frequently asked questions about the four stages of the Social Security disability process touch on most of the most important issues. For more in-depth information about these or many other topics, browse our full library using the links above and to the right.

Frequently Asked Questions About Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits

1. How can I tell if I am disabled enough to apply for Social Security disability benefits?
2. How do I apply for Social Security disability or SSI benefits?
3. Do you have any advice about applying for disability benefits?

Frequently Asked Questions About Appealing a Denial of Social Security Disability Benefits

1. What happens if I am denied benefits and I do not appeal within 60 days?
2. How do I appeal?
3. What are the two biggest mistakes people make when trying to get disability benefits?
4. Should I have my doctor write a letter to the Social Security Administration and should I gather medical records and send them to SSA?
5. How much do lawyers usually charge?

Frequently Asked Questions About Social Security Disability Hearings

1. How long will it take for a hearing to be held, a decision to be issued and for benefits to be paid?
2. How will I be notified about the date of my disability hearing?
3. What happens if I get a Notice of Hearing before I get a letter from my lawyer telling me about the date?
4. Do I need to get medical records or reports for my lawyer?
5. But what if my doctor gives me a report?
6. What if the Judge sends me a form to be completed by my doctor?
7. Should I send anything to the judge?
8. Should I send my lawyer the “acknowledgment” that comes with the Notice of Hearing?
9. Will I have to fill out any forms before my hearing?
10. What will my lawyer do to prepare for the hearing?
11. What can I do to help get ready for my disability hearing?
12. Should I try to get letters from friends and relatives about my disability?
13. Should I telephone my lawyer whenever I see a doctor?
14. Under what circumstances should I telephone my lawyer?

Frequently Asked Questions After a Favorable Social Security Disability Benefits Decision

1. Do I have to do anything such as visit the Social Security Office or complete some forms in order to get paid my Social Security disability benefits?
2. How long will it take for SSA to pay me?
3. How far back will my benefits go?
4. What will the amount of my monthly benefits be?
5. Will I receive a notice from the Social Security Administration explaining my benefits?
6. When will I get the Notice of Award?
7. Should I sign up for direct deposit?
8. If l get paid first, should I wait until I receive the Notice of Award before I cash the check or spend my past-due benefits?
9. Why would there be a problem if I were overpaid?
10. When will my regular monthly benefits begin?
11. Will I be eligible for Medicare?
12. The cover sheet of the favorable decision says that the Appeals Council may review the decision “on its own motion.” What does this mean?
13. I understand that I should not spend all of my back benefits until we figure out if attorney’s fees were withheld. Does it happen very often that attorney’s fees are not withheld?
14. What’s the difference between attorney’s fees and expenses?
15. Will the check for attorney’s fees be sent out around the same time that I get my check for back benefits?
16. Will I have to pay taxes on the Social Security disability benefits I receive?
17. What is a “continuing disability review”?
18. What will I have to do for a “continuing disability review”?
19. What if the Social Security Administration finds that my disability has ceased but I’m still not able to work?
20. Is there anything that I can do now to help ensure that my benefits will continue?
21. Is the Social Security Administration going to make it as difficult to keep my benefits as it did to get them in the first place?
22. Is there anything I can do to make dealing with the Social Security Administration easier?