Social Security Disability Benefits – a Lifeline for American Women who become Disabled Social security disability benefits are very significant to different strata of women, offering them a valuable lifeline to survive. Medical Record Review
With an increasing number of women in the workforce, there is a proportionate increase in the number of women becoming disabled and losing their capability of supporting their families as well. As per the 2013 edition of the Annual Statistical Supplement to the Social Security Bulletin, the number of women receiving SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) in December 2011 was approximately 4.08 million, i.e. excluding the children and spouses of disabled workers. This is a whopping 76% increase compared to the figures a decade earlier and a larger increase than one experienced by men (52%). Disabilities often result from a chronic disease or condition, an accident. Women are diagnosed with cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, depression, stroke and fibromyalgia. The unfortunate fact is that women do not realize often that they are insured for disability benefits, especially during the period before they experience a severe disability. Women who are widows or widows with young kids may also qualify for SS benefits based on their husband’s work record.
To be eligible for disability insurance on their own record, women must have a work history and certain mandatory qualifications. They should have paid payroll taxes for 5 of the last 10 years. It is on the basis of one’s earnings that the SSA determines the amount of SSDI benefit to be paid to one. The process of claiming disability insurance may be lengthy and some cases may take 2 to 4 years because of the existing backlog. In this regard, women can seek the services of a social security disability lawyer who will represent them at all levels of the application process right from the initial application through the hearing before an administrative law judge if that is needed. Any disability determination is made on www.mosmedicalrecordreview.com
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the basis of a detailed medical record review of the applicant’s medical records by the Social Security Administration. Lawyers representing clients also request the relevant medical documents for evaluation to ensure that the case is genuine. Typically, a reliable medical review company would take care of the entire review process for the legal team, right from record retrieval, through organization, indexing, review, and summarization.
The SSA provides disability and life insurance benefits that are very significant to women of color and their families. Statistics prove that minority women excessively depend on SS disability benefits. 26 percent of black women 21 percent of other women of color who receive SS benefits receive them as disabled workers whereas only 12 percent of white women who receive SS benefits receive them as disabled workers.
Women with serious diseases such as breast cancer and HIV/AIDS are medically eligible for SSDI or SSI disability benefits. Those who are found eligible may receive the benefits as compassionate allowance; they should meet the requirements of the official disability listing for cancer; or show that their limitations are too great for them to work at their old job or do any new type of work. The SSDI program is for those who have paid social security taxes, and the SSI program is for those who have only few resources and little income. If an applicant’s social security benefits are very low and she has only limited other income and resources, she may qualify for benefits from both programs. If the application is approved, the first SS disability benefit will be paid for the sixth full month after the date the disability began. The amount of monthly benefits
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depends on how much one earned when working. One also qualifies for Medicare after getting the disability benefits for 24 months – this will pay for lab tests, hospital and hospice care, home health care and other medical services. Women, who have not worked long enough to get SSDI benefits, may qualify for SSI payments provided their total income and resources are low enough. With this, they will be eligible for food stamps and Medicaid, the latter taking care of the medical bills in hospital and outpatient settings. In some U.S states, Medicaid recompenses hospice care, a private nurse and prescription drugs used to fight HIV disease.
Each person’s situation may be distinctive and that is why it would be advisable to talk to a disability attorney who can provide all details about the insurance program and help understand it better.
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