Research shows that disabled individuals who choose to hire a Social Security disability attorney or advocate are two to three times more likely to be awarded benefits than Utah residents who go it alone. With that in mind, getting legal representation is definitely a good idea. But maybe you’re the type of person who doesn’t […]
The first question most disabled individuals in Utah ask about filing a Social Security disability application is how likely it is that they’ll get an approval. And while we wish we could say otherwise, the odds aren’t all that good. In the initial application stage, the Social Security Administration (SSA) reports an approval rate of […]
If you’re planning to apply for Social Security disability benefits and need assistance, your first thought might be to turn to an attorney. Quite a few lawyers in Utah specialize in helping disabled individuals with the claims process, and working with a legal professional can increase the odds of you being approved for benefits. However, […]
Contacting a Social Security disability lawyer in Utah may be a smart move if you’re disabled and cannot work. With an experienced attorney in your corner, you stand a stronger chance of getting approved for monetary benefits. So, how much might you have to pay for legal assistance? When you’re not able to earn a […]
If you’re disabled and unable to earn a living, filing a Social Security disability claim could provide you with the financial support you need. Residents of Utah can apply for benefits in four different ways: Online through the Social Security Administration website Over the phone with a representative from the SSA At the SSA office […]
In Utah, disabled individuals who need financial assistance may qualify to receive Social Security disability benefits through two different programs: Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Both DIB and SSI provide monthly cash payments to Utah residents who are unable to work due to a physical or mental disability, but the amounts […]
If you have a medical condition that prevents you from earning a living, hiring a Social Security disability attorney may be a smart move. Experienced Utah lawyers can often help expedite the claims process, and having representation increases your odds of being approved for benefits. That’s not just our opinion, either — research shows that […]
When filing an application for benefits, many disabled individuals in Utah choose to work with a Social Security disability advocate. But some decide to apply on their own, as the SSA doesn’t require applicants to enlist the help of an advocate or attorney. If you’re planning on applying for disability benefits, you’ll want to give […]
In a perfect world, anyone unable to work due to medical reasons could complete a Social Security disability application and receive benefits. In reality, many Utah residents – more than half of those who apply – are rejected by the Social Security Administration. Why are so many applications denied? There are several reasons, but the […]
When you file a claim for disability benefits in Utah, the Social Security Administration will look to your medical history in assessing your credibility. Including the details of any treatment you have received is essential – this helps prove that your condition is as severe as you’ve asserted and that your ability to earn a […]
If you’re disabled and planning on filing a Social Security disability claim in Utah, you’ll likely come across an array of unfamiliar terms and acronyms. For many people, the jargon used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) causes a great deal of confusion – and what you need are clear, easy-to-understand definitions of important terms. […]
While you aren’t required to hire a Social Security disability lawyer in Utah, statistics have proven that people who have professional representation – meaning either an attorney or an advocate — are more likely to get approved for benefits. This is particularly true for those whose disability claims progress to the hearing level or beyond. […]
Getting a decision on disability benefits can take several months or longer. Once approved, many Utah residents have to wait another month or two for their first monthly payment. Back pay typically takes even longer to arrive. Hearing this, you may wonder if there’s a faster route to financial assistance from the Social Security Administration. […]
Hundreds of thousands of adults in Utah are disabled and unable to work. If you have a loved one in this situation, you can file a disability claim on their behalf. The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers two financial assistance options – Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) – and your friend […]
Many disabled individuals in Utah file their initial Social Security disability application on their own, without the assistance of a lawyer. Before you to that route, however, consider the alternative. As attorneys who handle disability claims in Utah, we encourage people to get a professional involved at the beginning of the process. Hiring a lawyer […]
You’re disabled and unable to work, and well-meaning friends have suggested that you hire a Social Security Disability attorney. Having an experienced Utah lawyer on your side boosts the odds of your disability application being approved, so taking their advice certainly makes sense. But how can you afford legal assistance when you’re already under financial […]
If you become disabled and unable to earn a living, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. Utah residents can get financial assistance through two federal programs – Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) – and you can apply immediately. So, how do you do that? What do you […]
Feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of filing a Social Security disability claim in Utah? You certainly aren’t alone – many people find the process of applying for benefits to be complicated and confusing. An experienced disability lawyer or advocate is your best source for information, and most offer free consultations. In the meantime, however, you […]
You’re not required to have a Social Security disability lawyer at any stage of the claims process. However, hiring an experienced attorney – one who is well-familiar with the Utah state laws and local court proceedings – is a smart move if your initial disability application and your request for reconsideration have been denied. At […]
According to the Utah Department of Health, about one out of every five adults in the state is disabled. If you’re part of that group, you may qualify for disability benefits. Utah residents can apply for benefits through Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), both of which are federal programs that […]
Assistance from a Social Security Disability attorney or advocate can be invaluable if you’re applying for disability benefits in Utah. Either professional could guide you in navigating the SSD claims process, increasing your chance of getting an approval – so who should you hire? To make a decision, you’ll need to understand the differences between […]
Most Social Security Disability claims take a long time to process. Applicants who are approved at the initial stage typically wait several months for a decision, and those who end up filing an appeal wait at least a year – in some cases, a few years – before receiving any benefits. Because of this, just […]
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides financial assistance to disabled individuals who are not able to earn a living. But, not everyone is eligible for disability benefits under this federal program. To qualify for SSDI, you must the work history requirements – and if you haven’t been employed for quite some time, there’s a good […]
Social Security Disability advocates offer professional services to disabled individuals, helping people navigate their way through the SSD application, hearing and appeals process. That’s what disability advocates do – but before you make the choice to work with one, you’ll want to know what makes an advocate qualified to assist with your SSD claim. Read […]
Should you file a Supplemental Security Income claim? To get approved for SSI benefits, you’ll need to meet certain requirements. And one of the factors that will determine whether or not you qualify is the value of your resources. For the Social Security Administration, resources is a term used to indicate the things you own […]
If you become disabled and are unable to work, you may qualify for disability benefits. And if that’s the case, you should file your Social Security Disability claim soon. A delay in filing isn’t in your best interests, as it could give the Social Security Administration (SSA) the wrong idea. Here’s what you need to […]
If the Social Security Administration (SSA) believes that your medical condition is no longer disabling ” and, therefore, you don’t meet the criteria to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits ” you will be notified that your monthly payments will stop. Fortunately, you can appeal a cessation of disability benefits, asking the SSA to […]
If you’re thinking about filing an application for Social Security disability benefits, you may be wondering what happens if you receive an approval. Will you continue getting monthly payments for the remainder of your lifetime? Or will that stop at some point? No one is guaranteed to receive lifelong payments, but many people do. In […]
After you apply for Social Security Disability benefits or appeal an SSD claim denial, you’ll eagerly await a decision. And, of course, you’ll be hoping for an approval. However, approval comes in one of two forms – and the judge may grant either a fully favorable or partially favorable decision. What’s the difference? For an […]
If you’re injured on the job in Utah, the financial help you need to might come through Social Security Disability or workers’ compensation. And depending upon your specific circumstances, you may be awarded benefits from both programs. SSD is funded at the federal level, while workers’ comp is a state-administered program. The qualifications for determining […]
Should you choose to have a Social Security Disability advocate assist you with your claim? Or is hiring an attorney a smarter plan? As advocates, we’re obviously in favor of the former. But we do have good reasons for recommending our professional services. Here, we explain what you have to gain by working with an […]
If you currently receive Social Security Disability benefits or have filed an SSD application, getting married could cause a change in your monthly amount. Whether or not that happens depends mainly upon the type of disability benefits you are awarded. Here, the Mountain West Disability team explains how marriage may or may not affect those […]
In an ideal world, Social Security disability benefits would be easily available for everyone in need. In reality, most claims are initially denied – and while many applicants are able to successfully appeal the decision, the process can take years. No one can guarantee that your application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Disability Insurance […]
Many people who file Social Security Disability claims continue to use social media while they await a decision. But is doing so a bad idea? Not necessarily. Posting on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn or any other platform may not affect your chances of approval – if, that is, you take care to guard your privacy. […]
If you’re approved for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you may not get your first payment right away. The Social Security Administration (SSA) imposes a five-month waiting period on all approved applicants, with only two exceptions. Dependents of disabled workers and those who previously received SSDI benefits and need them reinstated are the only […]
Since 1978, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has taken language barriers into account when evaluating applications for Social Security disability. The lack of proficiency in English, while not considered disabling in and of itself, has been viewed as having a significant impact on an individual’s ability to find work. As of April 27, 2020, this […]
People who apply for Social Security disability (SSD) benefits often experience frustrating delays in the process, and for some, a dire need request can help shorten the waiting time on a decision. The question is, will writing a dire need letter or DNL work to speed up your disability claim? The approach isn’t always effective, […]
The Social Security Disability claims process can be quite confusing, and most people in need of information turn to the internet. Unfortunately, much of what they find isn’t actually correct. Quite a few misconceptions about Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) are floating around, many of which sound completely believable. Below, we […]
If your income is limited and you have few resources, filing a Supplemental Security Income claim could be in your best interests. SSI, a federally funded program administered by the Social Security Administration, can provide you with the financial support you need – if, that is, you qualify to receive benefits. Here, we explain the […]
Many people apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) on their own, thinking that the cost of working with a Social Security Disability advocate is out of their reach. The truth is, most advocates – including those at Mountain West Disability – don’t charge upfront fees or ask for a retainer. […]
The Social Security Disability appeals process begins with a reconsideration, which is a complete review of your claim by examiners who were not involved with initial decision. If that fails, the next step is a disability hearing with an administrative law judge. Hearings are not open to the public, and the judge may appear in […]
If you suffer from a mental illness and the condition affects your ability to work, you may be entitled to receive Social Security Disability benefits. Mental disorders and illnesses can be seriously debilitating, and the Social Security Administration recognizes the potential for these conditions to cause long-term disability. However, as these types of claims can […]
If you are disabled and cannot work, you may be thinking about filling out a Social Security disability application. Approval for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) could put you on better financial footing and allow you to get the medical care you need. But how do you go about applying? For […]
The process of applying for Social Security disability can be confusing, as can many of the terms used. And, while a simple Google search is enough to decode the meaning of some terms, others are not as easy to understand. To help you decipher the language the Social Security Administration (SSA) uses during the disability […]
Getting through the Social Security disability claims process can be a frustrating endeavor, particularly if you don’t know what to expect. The steps to applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) are the same. However, not everyone ends up taking every step, as approval can come at any point. Below, the […]
The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers two programs for disabled individuals in need of financial assistance: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB). Both SSI and DBI provide cash benefits to people who are unable to work, but the amounts are not the same. But how much will you actually receive if the […]
The pace at which Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claims are processed and reviewed is notoriously slow. And, when you’re unable to work or earn a living because of a disability, this can place you in a perilous financial situation. The Social Security Administration (SSA) does, under certain circumstances, agree to expedite a portion of […]
If you have received a social security disability claim denial, it can feel like the end of the world. You’re struggling with your health issues, unable to work or bring in an income. You have been counting on an approval for your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claim application. When the denial letter came, you […]
For the majority of people, the process of applying for Social Security Disability benefits is not quick or easy. In fact, it can take anywhere from 4 months to 3 years for a claim to be approved. It is important to understand the different stages of the process and what is required in each stage […]
When clients choose a Social Security Disability advocate to assist them with their SSDI claim or appeal, they are often surprised to find that they will be working with a team, rather than a single individual – as they typically might if they chose to use a SSDI lawyer instead. When you understand why SSD […]
Applying for Social Security Disability can be a very stressful process, especially if you’re unsure how you’ll be able to pay your bills or buy groceries. Many clients ask if they are able to work while applying for Social Security Disability. The answer is yes, but there are strict rules regarding working that Social Security […]
What is the difference between Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)? Many people who apply for disability benefits are not aware that there are two different types of benefits they could potentially qualify for. The biggest difference between the two is the fact that in order to get SSDI you have to […]