Almost 50 million people in America are living with a disability according to the latest figures. Of those, only 14 million have successfully worked their way through the system to receive disability benefits. This leaves more than 35 million in the lurch, each of them struggling to pay bills and cover the costs of basic necessities. Being approved for disability benefits in Holland, MI isn’t a simple process by any means.
What You Need to Have in Order to Apply for Benefits
First, the Social Security Administration has a lengthy list of conditions potentially qualifying as disabilities. These include cancer, vision or hearing loss, debilitating musculoskeletal injuries, respiratory issues, and kidney disease. Mental disorders like schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety make the cut as well. Certain other conditions, such as IBD and liver disease, are also on the list. From there, a broad range of paperwork enters the mix.
- Medical Records: Documentation of your condition must be provided so the SSA can determine when the disability began and to what extent it affects your ability to earn an income. Elements in this category include records of doctor visits, therapy sessions, hospitalizations, lab test results, and paperwork from caseworkers, to name a few.
- Personal Information: Proof of identification will also be needed when applying for disability benefits in Holland, MI. Items in this category are Social Security number, date of birth, age, address, and additional identifying details.
- Employment Details: Caseworkers will need to know where you worked prior to becoming disabled, what type of job you performed, income amounts, and other information about your employment history.
- Household Information: Details must be provided regarding others in your household, such as Social Security numbers, proofs of identification, and income.
Certain other types of paperwork may also be required depending on your individual circumstances. Without these elements, a disability application can’t be processed. In truth, the majority of applications are denied at first for a wide range of reasons. Incomplete information is a major contributing factor, but plenty of other issues arise as well. Having an attorney on your side like those at Bleakley Law Offices, P. C. may improve your chances of being approved for disability benefits and speed up the application process.