Question #17: Does SSDI stop when I become 62 or will it continue until I become full retirement age of 66 years old?
Don Keck: You will receive the full SSA benefit to which you are entitled as long as you continue to be disabled. On attainment of age 66, your benefits will be converted from disability benefits to retirement benefits but you will not notice any change in the amount.
Question #18: What do you advise if a person can still work but not at a physical job and cannot find a non-physical job?
Don Keck: It does not matter to SSA if no one employs you, it only matters to them that you are not disabled. They are judging whether you are disabled, not whether someone will hire you.
Question #19: As we know, there is talk of privatizing Social Security. If this happens what will happen to SSDI?
Don Keck: To our knowledge they are focused on the retirement program. No mentions have been made of SSDI.
Question #20: I know that SSA has different critera for different disabilities. What do they specifically look for in rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?
Don Keck: It's a very long description. Here is a
link to our website with all the information.
Question #21: My doctors have said I am medically disabled. I haven't worked in over 10 years. My statement says I don't have enough credits in the correct time period. Any suggestions, or should I just give it up?
Don Keck: You could check with Social Security to check if you are eligible for SSI, which is based on your financial resources. You may be entitled to a retirement benefit at age 62, which has a different requirement for quarters of coverage.
Question #22: Is the same criteria used to originally award SSDI to RA patients used to determine if they remain medically disabled even if they return to work? Is it the exact criteria used?
Don Keck: They use the same medical standard that was used to establish your disability originally. SSA must show that your medical condition has improved and that this improvement is related to your ability to work.
Question #23: In addition to RA, does SSDI also still consider other health problems/symptoms, i.e. side effects of medications, bowel probems, depression, anxiety etc.?
Don Keck: Yes.
Question #24: Is the ability to work the only thing SSA looks at? I'm currently facing a situation where it is work or everything else in my life. If I work, I don't cook, clean, etc.
Don Keck: If SSA determines that you have the capacity to work, they will not use a limitation in your daily activities to change that decision. In other words, they will only look at whether you can work that 8-hour day.
Question #25: People who are having difficulty working are sometimes afraid to apply for SSDI because of the horror stories about people who were denied and there is obviously no guarantee. How do people know they are ready to apply with a good chance of a successful outcome?
Don Keck: The truthful answer is to work as long as you can, and then when you are forced to stop working, apply.
Question #26: Can you explain how Allsup can help a person achieve the successful outcome?
Don Keck: What we do is make a complex application process easier to navigate. Our representatives have hundreds of years of Social Security experience. We will walk you through the process. You stay at home and we do the work.
Question #27: Do I understand it correctly that once you apply for SSDI that you may receive it the first time around in 4 to 6 months?
Don Keck: If you are awarded disabilitiy benefits at the first application it usually takes 4-6 months.
Question #28: In the case of someone who works full time would SSDI give more weight if a person tried going to part time first or does it not really matter?
Don Keck: If a person is working at a level of income of $860 a month, SSA will deny a disability claim without considering any medical condition.
Question #29: Does having private long term disability insurance help to get approved for SSDI?
Don Keck: Not automatically. It does establish that you have a disability but the definitions of long-term disability and Social Security disability are different.
Question #30: If the application for SSDI reflects that you are working a 40 hour week, but you state you have difficulty with other daily living activities, you are still regarded as able to work, am I correct?
Don Keck: Correct.
Question #31: What are your fees for consultation? Does Allsup work in all 50 states?
Don Keck: We offer a free evaluation to determine if you may be eligible for SSDI. If we think you may qualify, and you are awarded benefits, we charge a one-time percentage of your retroactive (back) benefits. SSA sets the cap at $5,300, or 25%, whichever is less. We also do not charge for incidentals, such as medical records. We work in all 50 states.
