So, your Social Security Disability Insurance benefits have been approved. That’s great news. But now what? What is expected of a person who receives Social Security Disability Insurance benefits?
The Approval Letter
You will receive communication from the Social Security Administration about your disability claim. If approved, your award letter – and online account if you have one – may contain important information about your case. Your approval letter may contain keys. Online accounts also.
First, everyone who receives the award letter will be classified in one of the following three categories:
- Medical improvement expected,
- Medical improvement possible, or
- Medical improvement not expected.
The letter will show your Established Onset Date, the date on which the Social Security Administration feels you became disabled.
Someone from Social Security may have a follow-up interview with you. They may discuss signing up kids for benefits, bank information, and so on. However, your disability has already been established.
Your Checklist
Once you know you’ve made it through the difficult application process, it’s recommended and, in some cases, required that you do the following:
- Disability Payments. Watch for your first payment. Contact the Social Security Administration if you haven’t received your checks within 90 days of your approval. Make sure your lawyer’s fees were taken out of your benefit check.
- Income and Work Activity. Report Any Income You Receive and Changes in Work Activity. For example, you must report all income, including salary, pensions, sick pay, vacation pay, workers’ compensation, and interest on investments. If you start or stop working, report it.
- Medical Condition. Report changes to your medical condition, especially improvements.
- Mistakes. Return any payments you receive in error.
- Taxes. Some people who receive disability payments are required to pay taxes. Make sure you know your status.
- Contact Information. Keep your address current. Tell the Social Security Administration if you move. Let them know if you change your name for any reason.
- Financial. Keep banking information up to date.
- Family. Report any changes to your family status including: marriage, divorce, birth, death, or adoption.
- Legal Activity. You must report outstanding arrest warrants for certain felony charges, criminal convictions, and violations of parole or probation.
- If you leave the United States, contact the Social Security Administration. They are not able to send payments to people living in certain countries.
- Death or Incapacity. Someone must tell SSA immediately you if pass away or become incapacitated.
- Medical Reviews. Have your medical condition reviewed when SSA requires it. This may vary according to your level of disability.
It’s important to manage your Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. Stay on top of things and comply with requirements. You may improve the chances your status will remain unchanged.
Do You or Someone You Know Need to Apply for Disability?
The Social Security Disability Insurance application process can be long and frustrating. You need someone on your side who understands the system.
The attorneys at The Law Offices of Martin Taller have helped many clients receive the disability benefits they deserve. For a free consultation, call us at 714-385-8100. Though our office is located in Anaheim, we assist clients throughout Southern California.
