SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY
Social Security Disability is a Federal program that pays benefits to qualified individuals who are unable to work for one year. To be qualified the individual must fulfill the earnings requirements and also the disability requirement. The earnings requirement is a formula set by the Federal covenant that takes the individuals highest earnings over a period of time. The disability requirement is met only if a person is unable to do any job in the market for one year. Benefits can be paid for a closed period or for the remainder of an individuals work life, age 65. The process requires the individual to file an application. If the individual is denied there is a process called a reconsideration hearing that the individual must file within 60 days of the receipt of the denial letter.
If the individual is denied at the reconsideration level, they are eligible to file an application to appear before and Administrative Law Judge with an attorney. This final approval must also be filed within 60 days of the date of the reconsideration denial letter.
