What benefits are available?
There are three types of Social Security disability benefits:
Disability Income Benefits (DIB) – paid to individuals who have worked in recent years, usually 5 of the last 10 years. There are special provisions for workers under 31 years old. The amount of the benefit is based on your earnings history. When found disabled and eligible for DIB, there is a 24-month waiting period before you become eligible for Medicare coverage.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – paid to low income individuals/families and disabled whether or not the individual has worked in the past. SSI child's disability benefits are paid to children who are less than 18 years old, are disabled, and the parents or guardian are of lower income. SSI comes with Medicaid coverage.
Disabled Widow and Widowers (DWB) – paid to spouses who are at least 50 years old and disabled within seven years of the wage earners death or termination of surviving parents benefits. The deceased spouse must have worked enough to be Social Security insured.
What is the definition of disability?
The individual must have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that is expected to result in death, or has lasted, or be expected to last, 12 continuous months or more.
Am I eligible?
If you have a medical condition that is interfering with your ability to work full-time, you should consider applying for Social Security disability benefits. Each individual's case is different and the merits of your case can be discussed in a free consultation with a Bohn & Associates representative.
When should I apply?
You do not have to be off work for 12 months before you apply. An application can be filed earlier if it appears your medical condition may keep you from working for 12 continuous months or more.
How do I apply?
You can apply online at www.ssa.gov, or contacting your local SSA office, or calling SSA's toll fee telephone number, 1-800-772-1213. If you choose to have Bohn & Associates represent you, we can file your application and handle everything for you.
When should I get help?
That is up to you. You can file your application and appeals yourself. However, statistically claimants who obtain representation are more likely to be awarded benefits than those who do not. We can begin helping you at any level of the process from initial application to the Appeals Council.
What can Bohn & Associates do for me?
We will explain the disability claim process. Appeal your claim at each level through the Appeals Council, if necessary. We assist with completion of all forms. We work with your doctors to obtain medical evidence and conduct legal and medical research on issues related to your conditions. We prepare you for, and represent you at, your hearing before an administrative law judge.
How much does Bohn & Associates charge for their services?
Cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. This means we only receive a fee if your case is approved. Our fee is a portion of any past due benefits awarded by SSA. The fee is 25% of past due benefits and cannot exceed a "maximum" amount as outlined by the Social Security Administration. Currently, the maximum is $6,000. We do not ask for any money up front.
