I began recieving SSDI in 1989 for a mental health issue. I was accepted my first try without a lawyer. I was in my mid-20's too. It came up for review in 96 and I was denied. I went through the entire appeals process with a lawyer and was still denied. I reapplied in 98 without a lawyer and again was accepted. My husband applied in 2000 for a fairly major physical disability and was approved without a lawyer. Your age will have nothing to do with it. If you are trying for SSI and not SSDI your assets will be reviewed. With SSI you are only allowed a certain amount. You need to check and make sure you don't have enough work credits to get SSDI. I started working when I was 18 and due to the disablity quit around 24 and I had enough credits for SSDI. I would suggest you try first without a lawyer and if rejected then get one. The way they get paid is a cut of your "back pay". What I mean is, at least with SSDI, they will determine when you became disabled, lets say 6/2001. They will determine what amount you will get monthly. With SSDI it depends on what you paid in, with SSI it is a fixed amount. If it has been over 17 months ( I think 17 months is right) you will get that amount multiplied by 17 as a lump sum back payment. If it is less than 17, lets say 6 months for example, you will get that amount multiplied by 6. Your monthly payments will then start. After you have been disabled for 1 year (I think) you will be able to get medicare. As long as you have records to prove a true disablilty you should have no problem. I have alot of experience with the process and alot of paper work laying around the house and can probably answer most of your questions. Please PM me any questions and I'll be happy to help or at least point you in the right direction. It can get complicated. I would strongly suggest you check and see if you have enough work credits for SSDI first and always get peoples names who you turn paperwork into and if possible some kind of receipt. You have no idea how much of my paperwork was lost and it ended up costing me almost $6000. Again PM me!!
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Re: Getting Disability Benefits (US)
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