Being unable to work due to a medical condition can be very difficult.  Not being able to work can take a huge financial toll.  Individuals who have a medical condition that prevents them from working may be eligible to receive Disability benefits through the Social Security Administration.

In order to apply for benefits you will need to fill out an application and present documents verifying your medical condition, identity and work history. Before applying, be sure to gather all important documents to submit with your application.

You may also want to understand how the Social Security Administration determines who is disabled and who is not.  The program pays only for what they classify as "total disability".  Their definition may be different from other programs. They consider an individual disabled if that person either cannot continue to carry out the work that they did previously, they cannot adjust to new or different work because of a medical condition, or that individuals disability has remained or will be expected to last for a minimum of one year or if it will eventually result in death.  When you apply for benefits some of the questions that will need to be answered in order to determine if you qualify include:

1. Are you working?
2. Is your condition "severe"?
3. Is your condition found in the list of disabling conditions?
4. Can you do the work you did previously?
5. Can you do any other type of work?

Once you have been awarded Social Security benefits, you will be required to have your case reviewed periodically to verify your disability.  You are also responsible for notifying the program if your get better or return to work.

If you apply for Disability benefits through the Security Administration and your claim is denied you have the right to file an appeal.  Often times many disability applications are often denied and individuals have the option of going through the appeals process.

There are different levels involved in the appeals process.  When a case is denied, you will receive a letter notifying you that your claim was denied.  Once this occurs, you have 60 days to file an appeal.  You can file the appeal yourself or work with an advocate or attorney to assist you with the appeals process.

An advocate or lawyer can help you to get information from your Social Security file, collect important information such as medical records that will help to support your disability claim, and accompany you with any meeting or hearing with the Social Security Administration.  You may choose any lawyer or other person as your representative.