Applying for Social Security

An overview of SSDI or SSI benefits

The two largest Federal Government programs which provide financial assistance to those individuals who are classified as disabled and cannot earn a living are the Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs.  Despite the differences in the 2 programs, both of them are still administrated and governed by the Social Security Administration (herein referred to as the SSA).

It is important to remember that only qualifying individuals who meet the medical criteria necessary to prove that they are disabled as a result of a liver disease or disorder will be afforded benefits by either of these two programs.  Here are the basic differences between the two according to SocialSecurityOnline (www.socialsecurity.gov):

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) – you and certain members of your family can be awarded benefits provided you are “insured.”  In other words, if you have worked the prescribed amount of time and had Social Security taxes deducted from your paycheck or paid into them as a self-employed person, you are considered to be insured.

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – provides benefits to those individuals who can prove a financial need for government assistance.

During the application process, the SSA collects all medical and other information regarding your liver disease or disorder, eventually making a determination of eligibility according to their definition of it.  You should investigate the “Benefits Eligibility Screening Tool” offered at the Social Security Administration’s website in order to see if you may be qualified based on your medical condition.

What if you are denied?

If you feel that you can qualify for benefits based on your liver disease or disorder, you should seek out the assistance of an experienced and qualified Social Security Disability attorney in order to determine if you have truly met those qualifications necessary for being awarded SSDI or SSI benefits.  However, what if you are initially denied benefits that you feel you deserve and need?

It is best to start at the Internet Appeal (https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/iAppeals/ap001.jsp) level for starters.  Using this tool will help you appropriate a review of the SSA’s denial of your application.  You can use this whether you were denied for medical or non-medical reasons.  However, the bottom line is that you should enlist the assistance of a Social Security Disability attorney to help you with your case.