Do you suffer from a physical or mental disability that prevents you from working to support yourself? If so, you may qualify for social security disability benefits. These benefits can help you to meet your monthly financial obligations. However, before you rush down to your local office to file an application, there are a few things facts that you should know.

The Social Security Administration Offers Two Types of Disability Payments

There are currently two different benefit programs that disabled individuals may be able to qualify for. The first of these benefits is known as social security disability or SSD benefits. These benefits are awarded to disabled workers who have earned a required number of work credits and are able to meet all of the medical criteria concerning their disability.

The second type of benefits that you may qualify are known as supplemental security income or SSI benefits. These benefits also require that you meet all medical criteria set forth by the Social Security Administration. However, you are not required to meet any work requirements in order to receive these benefits. Instead, you must simply meet the income guidelines set forth by the program.

It is currently possible to receive both SSD and SSI benefits each month.

Your Benefits Will Be Back-Dated to the Day Your Application Was Filed

The Social Security Administration used to make retroactive payments dating back to the date your disability started. However, this practice is no longer used and payments are now back-dated to the day your application for benefits was filed. This is especially important to remember if your original application for benefits is denied.

If your application is denied, you will have the right to appeal this decision. When requesting an appeal prior to the deadline listed on you denial notice, you will be preserving your original application date. This means that you will still receive benefits dating back to the date of your original application, providing that you are able to win your case at appeal. If you allow this filing deadline to pass, you will be required to submit a new application. The date of this new application will then be used to process your benefits if your case is ultimately approved.

You Never Have to Face This Process Alone

The process of filing for disability benefits can be confusing and time consuming. With so many medical documents to submit, questions to answers, and guidelines to meet, it really is no wonder that so many people find that a simple mistake in the filing of their application ultimately leads to the denial of their benefits.

If you find that you are overwhelmed by the application process or feel as though your claim was unfairly denied, you can get the help you need by contacting a social security disability lawyer. If you are worried about your ability to pay for legal counsel, there truly is no need to worry. These lawyers typically work on a contingency basis, meaning that you will never need to pay anything upfront in order to secure their services. Furthermore, you will only be required to pay legal fees in the event that the lawyer is able to win you case.