How to File for Social Security in Kentucky

The key to having your SSD application approved is usually ensuring that you have enough relevant medical records included in your application. Remember that a person must be unable to work for at least one year to receive SSD benefits.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) encourages people to apply for SSD benefits as soon as they become disabled. You can apply for SSD benefits online through the SSA website, over the phone, or by visiting your local Social Security office.

CNBC reported that over 11 million Americans receive $143 billion in Social Security Disability (SSD) Insurance claims each year. The approval rate for SSD benefits, however, has remained quite strict with only 36 percent of claims being approved on the first application.

Do you need help completing an application for SSD benefits in Kentucky? You should get talk to a qualified disability lawyer for assistance with some of the issues that may arise.

The Paul Baker Law Office handles SSD claims for clients in Barbourville and surrounding areas of Kentucky. You can have one of our attorneys review your case and help you understand all of your legal options as soon as you call us or fill out an online contact form to set up a free consultation.

Gathering Information for Social Security Disability Benefits

The SSA states that a person can apply online for SSD benefits if they are “18 years of age or older, are not currently receiving benefits on their own Social Security record, are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, and have not been denied disability benefits in the last 60 days.” The SSA uses two different checklists depending on whether a person is applying online, or in person or by telephone.

Whether you have an appointment in person or by telephone, the SSA recommends printing and reviewing the Adult Disability Checklist. The checklist includes the following items:

• Medical records already in your possession.
• Workers’ compensation information, including the settlement agreement, date of injury, claim number, and proof of other disability awarded payment amounts.
• Names and dates of birth of your minor children and your spouse.
• Dates of marriages and divorces.
• Checking or savings account number, including the nine-digit routing number for direct deposit.
• Name, address, and phone number of a person to can contact if the SSA is unable to get in touch with you.
• If a medical release Form SSA-827 (Authorization to Disclose Information to the Social Security Administration) was included with this package, complete (sign and date with witness signature) and return it as directed.
• Completed Medical and Job Worksheet – Adult.

The Medical and Job Worksheet for an adult seeks information relating to medicines, medical tests, and job history.  It begins by requesting that up to five disabling medical conditions be listed. Then it asks when you stopped working, your height and weight measurements without shoes and lists of doctors, hospitals, clinics, therapists, or emergency rooms you visited because of your conditions.f

The SSA checklist for an online adult disability application lists all of the following information as being needed to file for benefits online:

• Date and Place of Birth — People born outside the United States or its territories need the name of their birth country and Permanent Resident Card number if they are not a U.S citizen.
• Marriage and Divorce — Name of current spouse and prior spouse when the marriage lasted more than 10 years or ended in death, the date of birth and Social Security number for the spouse(s), and the beginning and ending dates of marriage(s), place of marriage(s).
• Names and Dates of Birth of Children — For children who became disabled prior to age 22, are under age 18 and are unmarried, or are 18 to 19 years of age and still attending secondary school full time.
• S. Military Service — Type of duty and branch, service period dates.
• Employer Details for Current Year and Prior Two Years — Employer name, employment start and end dates, and total earnings.
• Self-Employment Details for Current Year and Prior Two Years — Business type and total net income.
• Direct Deposit — Account type, number, and bank routing number if it’s a domestic bank, bank name, code, and currency as well as bank country, account type, number, and branch or transit number if it’s an international bank.
• Alternate Contact — Name, address and phone number of someone SSA can contact who knows about your medical condition(s).
• List of your Medical Conditions — Information about doctors, health care professionals, hospitals, and clinics such as names, addresses, phone numbers, patient ID numbers, and dates of examinations and treatments as well as names and dates of medical tests and names of medications, reason for medications, and who prescribed them.
• Information About Other Medical Records — May include vocational rehabilitation services, workers compensation, public welfare, prison/ jail, an attorney, or another place.
• Job History — Date your medical condition began to affect your ability to work, the type of jobs (up to five) that you had in the 15 years before you became unable to work because of your condition, and the type of duties you did on the longest job you had.
• Education and Training — Highest grade in school completed and date, school name, city, and state for any special education, name of special job training, trade school or vocational school and date completed.

Keep in mind that the SSA may require you to provide certain documents in order to prove your eligibility. Some of these documents may include birth certificates, proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status, U.S. military discharge papers, W-2 forms or self-employment tax returns, and award letters, pay stubs, settlement agreements or other proof of any temporary or permanent workers’ compensation-type benefits you received.

Get Help Filing from an SSD Claims Attorney Today

Applying online is usually preferable because it eliminates the need to wait for an appointment. An experienced lawyer can identify the most advantageous application method for your particular situation.

After you apply, the SSA will review your application and may request additional information. The SSA will then mail its decision to you, and it will typically notify you if other people are able to obtain benefits on your record or if you can receive benefits on another person’s record.

If you want to apply for SSD benefits in Kentucky, it is in your best interest to work with an experienced lawyer. SSD applications can be extremely confusing, and people who do not submit all of the necessary information are more likely to have their applications denied and experience numerous delays in attempting to obtain benefits.

The Paul Baker Law Office has decades of experience helping people all over the greater Barbourville area. Call us or contact us online to have our lawyers provide a complete evaluation of your case during a free consultation.