Social Security Lawyer
If you have been receiving social security disability benefits and are now ready to apply for social security retirement benefits, you may be feeling overwhelmed by the paperwork and the process as a whole. However, social security disability benefits and social security retirement benefits aren’t as different as they seem, making it easier to apply for social security retirement if you already know how to apply for social security disability. A lawyer can help make the application process easier and go over your options when deciding whether to apply early or late. Here are a few tips from social security lawyer in Buffalo NY from Hurwitz, Whitcher & Molloy, LLP on how to apply for social security benefits.
1) Take Your Time
The first tip is to take your time when you apply for social security. This process can be overwhelming, and it’s important to make sure that you have all the information you need before moving forward. Including everything from how much of a benefit amount you’ll receive to how long you’ll be eligible.
For example, an individual who has reached full retirement age (born in 1937 or earlier) will not be eligible for any type of benefits based on his or her own work record. However, those who were born in 1938 or later may still be eligible for some benefits based on their own work record if they are otherwise entitled. Furthermore, a worker may also qualify for benefits based on his or her spouse’s work record if he or she meets certain requirements and is unmarried at the time he or she becomes entitled to benefits; this includes widows and widowers whose marriage lasted 10 years or more.
2) Read the Instructions Carefully
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a lot of rules and regulations. It’s important that you read the instructions carefully when you’re applying for benefits. If you don’t, you could make a mistake that could delay your benefits or even cause you to be denied. Make sure you have all the necessary paperwork: when you apply for social security disability benefits, there are many different types of documents that may be required depending on your specific situation. Without these documents, your application will likely not be approved and you may have to wait weeks or months before reapplying with everything in order. Along with all the paperwork mentioned above, some forms need to be signed by doctors, employers, or other officials who know about your disability situation. If this information is not included in your application then it will also likely not get approved right away and could potentially set back any approvals if they are needed in the future because new requests will have a backlog. A social security lawyer can help you better fill out this paperwork.
3) Get Help From Others
You don’t have to go through the process of applying for social security alone. There are plenty of people who can help you, including social security lawyers. In fact, hiring a lawyer may be one of the best decisions you can make; hire a lawyer today to help apply for social security benefits.