Your Social Security Approval Package (Finally, the Long Wait is Over!)
by:
Lala Balattan
Back and forth to the Disability Determination Services (DDS)… Arranging and rearranging data and documents for applications, appeals and motion of requests… Monthly contacts with the Social Security Administration Claims Rep and the DDS examiner… After endless consultations with your legal counsel or representatives, after many, many series of medical consultations and examinations, and finally, after too many false hopes and expectations… Your patience and determination has been rewarded! You have received the ultimate information relating the approval of your Disability Benefit claim!
So, what now?
Usually, the letter sent to you by the SSA informing you of your claim approval will show the amount of the benefits you are to receive, as determined by the Social Security Office, and when the payments will start. The benefits due to you are to be given monthly. Generally, you must be disabled for 5 full calendar months before you can receive your disability benefits for the first time.
If it had taken you so long to wait for the approval of your benefit claims, it is also likely that you will receive certain amounts for benefits past due. This will be based on how long it took to process and resolve your case and the determined actual date your disability began. These back-payments will be given to you in lump sum – the SSI give it by installment, depending on its amount size, while the social security disability back-pay are paid in a single lump sum.
Certain medical benefits will also be received. You may receive Medicaid if your benefits are derived from supplemental security income (SSI) or Medicare if it is from the Social Security Program, also called Retirement Survivors Disability Insurance. Your medical benefits will start coming 2 years after your eligibility for benefits has been established.
Ever wonder how they come up with your package? The amount of your SSDI payment is based on the worker’s lifetime average earnings covered by the Social Security. It is adjusted each year because of changes in the cost-of-living. Reduction of the amount is based from the Workers’ Compensation payments (including Black Lung payments) and/or public disability benefits, for example certain state, and civil service disability benefits. Other income or resources do not affect the payment amount.
On the other hand, the SSI payment amount is based on the amount of countable income that you receive, your living arrangement, and the State where you reside. The basic monthly payment is called the “Federal Benefit Rate” (FBR). During the year 2004, FBRs are $564 per month for an eligible individual, and $846 per month for an eligible couple. These are adjusted each year depending on the changes in the cost-of-living rates. “State Supplement” are also additional amounts paid to some by their state. The amounts and qualifications for this vary on each state.
SSI payment amount is figured by adding up your FBR and State Supplement, if any, and then subtract your countable income.
Start enjoying your benefits and remember, folks, spend wisely!
About the author:
Lala B. is a 26 year-old Communication Arts graduate, with a major in Journalism. Right after graduating last 1999, she worked for one year as a clerk then became a Research, Publication and Documentation Program Director at a non-government organization, which focuses on the rights, interests and welfare of workers for about four years.
When you are involved in an accident insurance claims may not be the
first thoughts on your mind. However, there are some procedures you should
follow in order to preserve your right to file an insurance claim. This
may be anything from hail damage to a stolen vehicle and does not refer
solely to car accidents.
The first thing you want to do is prevention. Most insurance claims can
be prevented even before the incident occurs. For instance, to prevent
auto accident’s be cautious and think about taking a defensive driving
course. To prevent stolen vehicle insurance claims, keep you vehicle
locked up and parked in a secure place. To prevent damage from the forces
of nature do not travel in bad weather and keep your car in a covered
parkway. There are many ways to prevent yourself from incurring loss. Most
ideas are just common sense. However, for more information contact your
insurance agent for ideas on prevention. Next, you will want to remain
calm. When disaster strikes people react. That is our nature. However,
sometimes people’s reactions can make things worse on their insurance
claims.
If you’re in a car accident this might mean taking the blame, leaving
the scene of an accident, or putting your self in danger. If you’re car is
stolen you may act on your reaction by accusing innocent persons. There
are a number of problems that can arise when people over react that is why
it is essential to your insurance claim for you to remain calm.
Now, the next thing you need to be aware of is time. You see, time is
not on your side when filing an insurance claim. The longer you wait the
less your chances are of recovering your loss. Most insurance companies
will not even consider a claim if it was turned in a certain amount of
time after the incident. It is also harder to prove the longer you go
before submitting an insurance claim.
Finally, you will want to follow procedures and document everything.
Insurance companies are hit with frauds all the time. In order to weed out
the actual claims from the fraudulent ones, they have to have clear cut
procedures. Unfortunately, this can sometimes be confusing to actual
victims. Yet, they are in place out of the need to protect the company.
This means that you will have to educate yourself to what the policies
are. Find out what documentation you need and what forms you will have to
file. If you need help, contact your insurance agent. That is what they
are there for. If you follow this advice, you should be able to file a
claim relatively easy and with the least amount of lag time before
payment.
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