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Are you planning on applying for Social Security disability benefits with the Social Security Administration (SSA)? If so, you’ll need to prepare certain documentation and information before applying at a disability office. This guide explains how to prepare and how an attorney may assist you.

Documents Needed When Applying for Disability Benefits At An SSA Office

When applying for Social Security disability benefits, bring the following documents to the disability office:

What Is Spinal Stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal which leads to compression of the spinal nerve roots or the spinal cord. The two types of stenosis are lumbar and cervical. In both cases these symptoms are similar.

Almost everyone gets back pay, but there are some cases when someone will not. The reason for this is because it takes so long to process applications for disability benefits. Once an application is approved payment is backdated to the initial application date. 

If you are applying for disability benefits for a mental health condition, you may be able to get help from your psychiatrist who will need to provide evidence that you are unable to work for at least 12 months due to your mental health.

If you have applied for disability benefits, the chances are that your original application was denied. This doesn’t stop you getting disability benefits, but you do need to start the appeal process with the SSA.

Many more disability benefits are approved at some stage of the appeal process, which is a series of steps.

It is worth knowing that social security benefits typically do not start immediately after submitting an application to the Social Security Administration (SSA).

There is a statutory ‘waiting period’ of five months after you develop a disability, even if you apply for a benefit immediately you stop working. This date is called the ‘alleged onset date’.

The SSA uses specific guidelines to determine what they consider to be a disability. It has compiled a list of medical conditions that may qualify for disability benefits.  This list is available to view in the SSA’s Blue Book. For anyone who is considering applying for disability benefits, it is advisable to carefully read the relevant section of the Blue Book.

To qualify for disability benefits, you need to meet both medical and non-medical disability requirements. Your application will be approved if you meet all the requirements set by the Social Security Administration (SSA). This includes your medical condition being listed in the SSA’s Blue Book, proof that you are unable to work for at least 12 months and that you have accumulated sufficient work credits when you were working to qualify for disability benefits.

There are many different mental health conditions that can qualify for Social Security disability benefits (SSD). If you are experiencing a mental illness that is keeping you from working for at least 12, then you may be able to qualify for SSD.

The SSA uses what is known as the ‘Blue Book’ to evaluate how specific conditions can qualify for disability benefits. There is an entire Blue Book section, 12.00, dedicated to Mental Disorders that are eligible for disability benefits.  Here are 5:

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has compiled what is most commonly referred to as the ‘Blue Book’, more formally known as ‘Disability Valuation Under Social Security’, in which is listed all the impairments that qualify for disability benefits. When the SSA evaluates a claim for disability benefits it refers to the listings in the Blue Book before it makes a final decision about any disability claims that have been filed.