National Disability Law Firm Heard & Smith Applauds New Dailyfinance.com Article Featuring 4 Must-Know SSD Facts
San Antonio, TX (PRWEB) October 31, 2014 -- Heard & Smith, a national disability law firm that concentrates on the disabled and the injured, is applauding a new article published on Dailyfinance.com entitled “4 Things Everyone Must Know About Social Security Disability.”
The article, which was written by Dan Caplinger, urges adults of all ages -- including those currently in good health who have never seriously thought about SSD benefits -- to keep the following four basic facts in mind:
1. The SSD Benefits that an individual is entitled to receive depends on how many credits they have accumulated while working.
“This is a particularly important point,” noted Joshua C. Eyestone, an experienced SSD lawyer in Heard & Smith’s Social Security Disability practice group. “Many American workers aren’t aware that they have in fact earned SSD benefits. It’s not a government handout or an extension of welfare, and any suggestions to the contrary are ignorant – and offensive.”
2. For the purposes of approving SSD Benefits, the SSA categorizes a disability as one that has lasted or is expected to last at least a year, or that could result in death. The disability must also be “total”, and not a short-term or partial disability that would still allow an applicant to work (though not necessarily in the same job prior to the disability).
“This is also vital for people to be aware of,” added Mr. Eyestone, “because what the average person defines as disabled may not be – and often isn’t – shared by the SSA. As such, applicants need to make sure that they have accurate documented evidence that establishes their disability as defined by the SSA; not them, their family, their workplace or even their doctor.”
3. The amount of SSD benefits that an applicant and her or his family will receive depends on the applicant’s work history; and in particular, average earnings that are indexed for inflation. Under certain circumstances, an applicant’s spouse may also be entitled to SSD benefits.
“The spousal support aspect of SSD benefits can also be an eye-opener for some applicants,” noted Mr. Eyestone. “However, it certainly makes sense that spouses who didn’t necessarily earn an income in the workforce shouldn’t be financially penalized when their husband or wife becomes disabled and cannot work.”
4. SSD benefits don’t automatically end when an applicant retires. Rather, they’re replaced by Social Security benefits.
“And finally, there’s some good news,” commented Mr. Eyestone. “Many people are worried that once they reach retirement, that their SSD benefits will stop and they’ll be struggling to make ends meet. It’s important for them to know that their benefit will continue, though it will be coming out of a different pool of funds.”
“As Dan Caplinger writes and I completely agree, SSD benefits are typically far more valuable than most people realize,” commented Joshua C. Eyestone, an experienced SSD lawyer in Heard & Smith’s Social Security Disability practice group. “I commend Dan on his important article, and encourage those who need further information to speak to an experienced SSD lawyer who will be able to provide them with updated information that is specific to their claim and personal health situation.”
The full text of the Dailyfinance.com article is available at http://www.dailyfinance.com/2014/09/25/social-security-disability-must-knows
For inquiries, contact Joshua C. Eyestone at jeyestone(at)heardandsmith(dot)com or 210-820-3737.
About Heard & Smith L.L.P.
Heard & Smith helps thousands of clients each year get the disability benefits they are entitled to. The national disability law practice group at Heard & Smith represents deserving clients in all 50 states. Heard & Smith specializes in representing the disabled in Social Security Disability (SSD), and Veterans (VA) Disability matters.
Learn more at http://www.heardandsmith.com/ssdi_ssi.html
Joshua Eyestone, Heard & Smith, http://www.heardandsmith.com/ssdi_ssi.html, +1 (210) 477-5516, [email protected]
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