Wondering if You Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits?

You probably never thought it would happen to you. A serious mental illness , physical injury or disease can leave you in a situation where you cannot work. This circumstance can create a lot of uncertainty and worry, as you wonder how you are going to make ends meet.

The Social Security Administration offers disability insurance benefits that usually start on your sixth month of disability. These benefits can provide the much-needed income to pay your household bills and come in the form of monthly cash payments. Benefits will continue until your condition improves. Your condition will be reviewed periodically, but you are also responsible to notify the Social Security office if your condition gets better.

In order to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you will need to have worked in jobs that are covered by Social Security. You also must have worked long enough and recently enough under Social Security. If you don't qualify under the SSDI program, you could still be eligible under Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Your condition must meet Social Security's definition of disability. According to the Social Security Administration's website, a disability is based on your inability to work. The agency considers you disabled under Social Security rules if:

• You cannot perform the same work that you did before;

• It is decided that your medical condition prohibits you from adjusting to other work

• "Your disability has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year or to result in death."

There are some medical conditions that are automatically considered a disability, which include everything from mental disorders to neurological problems.

If you are applying for Social Security benefits or if you have already applied and been turned down, you should contact a Jacksonville, Florida Social Security lawyer at the law firm of Sullivan & Hepler at (904) 384-8808 or (800) 295-4193. We can help you with any step of the process, from the initial application to assisting you with an appeal.