Unlike other states, Florida doesn’t provide qualified employees who suddenly become unable to work short-term disability benefits. In the Sunshine State, if disabled employees satisfy the eligibility requirements, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will pay them monthly benefits if they suffer from a medical condition that’s anticipated to last a minimum of one year or cause death. These benefits are provided under the Social Security Disability (SSD) program.
You Have Three SSD Application Options
You can apply for SSD benefits in Florida online, by phone, or in person:
1. SSD Online Application
The easiest way to apply for SSD benefits is by filing an application through the SSA website. The website provides a checklist of documents and information you’ll need to provide during the application process. Besides completing the online application, you’ll need to submit a medical release form so that the SSA can access your medical information and records, which they’ll utilize for evaluating your disability claim.
By applying online, you don’t need to schedule an appointment, and you can start your claim immediately. You also don’t need to go to your local SSA office, and you can stop, save your application, go back to it to ensure that it’s complete before submitting it. Additionally, those living outside the U.S. can complete the application process online.
2. By Phone
Alternatively, you can complete an SSD application over the phone by calling the SSA’s toll-free telephone number at 800-772-1213 from Monday through Friday and between 8 AM and 7 PM. You can schedule an appointment to discuss your application with a representative and give them the information they need to complete your application. For hearing-impaired and deaf people, you can call 800-325-0778 for assistance with your SSD application.
3. In Person
You also have the option of scheduling an appointment with your local SSA office and completing your SSD application in person. Just make sure to check the SSA’s checklist so you can gather all the information and documents you need before the appointment. Applying for SSD benefits at your local SSA office could also be helpful for people who need help understanding and reading the requirements and the application forms.
Seek Legal Help for You SSD Claim
Even though the claim filing process might seem fairly straightforward, everything that follows filing can be an uphill battle. You don’t have to wait until you hit a roadblock to contact an attorney - often, having help from an SSD attorney from the very start of the process can help you file the strongest claim possible. This gives you the best chance of having benefits granted, so you can begin receiving the support you need as soon as possible. If you already filed a claim and received a denial, you should then contact an attorney immediately, as you only have a limited amount of time to prepare an appeal.
Speak to an Experienced Port St. Lucie SSD Benefits Lawyer Today
The SSD benefits application process can be very confusing and overwhelming for some people, that most applicants end up being denied SSD benefits. In fact, approximately 1.8 million people in 2020 applied for SSD benefits, but the SSA only awarded benefits to about 648,000 people. The reality is that understanding how SSD applications are assessed and how the entire process works are essential to having your application approved.
If you’re having any issues about completing your SSD benefits application, need clarifications or have questions about the process, or were denied benefits and need assistance appealing the denial, don’t hesitate to contact Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa to schedule your free case review with one of our Port St. Lucie SSD benefits lawyers today. You can reach us by phone at 866-640-7117 or complete our online form to set up your appointment.