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If you’ve finally made it through what can be a lengthy and challenging review process for receiving Social Security Disability benefits, you’ll need to know what to expect moving forward.

How Much are the Monthly Benefits?

After being awarded benefits, no matter at what stage in the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) review process you are deemed eligible, you will receive a document in the mail which is entitled “Certificate of Award”. This document will inform you of the amount of your monthly disability payment.

The processes involved in initial reviews for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits vary significantly in some ways from those that take place at an appeal hearing officiated by an administrative law judge (ALJ). There are also some aspects of the review process and appeal hearing procedure which are quite similar. Following you’ll find information on both the similarities and differences to help you understand what to expect from each stage of the disability determination process.

If an individual is initially denied Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) through the standard first or second review processes with the Social Security Administration (SSA) and wishes to continue pursuing disability benefits, he or she will be required to participate in an appeal hearing with an administrative law judge presiding.

Since 2003, March has been recognized in the US as National MS Education and Awareness Month. During National MS Education and Awareness Month, the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (MSF) and other likeminded organizations make a concerted effort to raise public awareness of Multiple Sclerosis. The MSF also raises money to help fund research and otherwise combat the disease.

Brain Awareness Week is an international campaign aimed at increasing public awareness of research related to the brain and central nervous system. It focuses the attention of participants on various fields of neuroscience.

The general purposes and directives of Brain Awareness Week are:

March has been recognized as National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month since 1987. Then-President Ronald Reagan at that time called for the American people to build understanding and encouragement, and to provide new opportunities for people who have developmental difficulties and disabilities.

People with developmental disabilities are capable to leading fulfilling, productive lives, but may need help from society and government.

If you are a current or former US military service member and are disabled, you may be entitled to expedited processing on Social Security Disability claims. Disabled service members and veterans who have served since October, 2001 qualify, whether or not their disability was a direct result of military service (or whether it even occurred during their time of service).

We all know that things are tough all around in the present economy. Unemployment has risen to and stayed at levels unheard of since the Great Depression. It would appear that the unemployment problem may be even worse than the numbers would seem to indicate.

Since yesterday February 14 was National Donor Day, now would be a good time to talk about different transplants that qualify for disability. Millions of people worldwide are waiting for a very important gift – the gift of life. Serious diseases and illnesses can cause so much damage to vital organs in the body that the only hope is for a transplant from an organ donor.

If you have filed for disability and are waiting for your hearing date to be set, it is a good idea to become familiar with the hearing process so you know what to expect and are not caught off guard by the questions you will be asked and the information you will be required to provide, since this is the most crucial stage in the disability determination process. At this stage, the majority of claims which have been denied at previous levels of the disability application process will be approved. However, this does not mean you are guaranteed an approval.