Social Security Disability Claims Pending At Initial Level To Increase in 2014, Allsup Reports

Belleville, IL (PRWEB) March 24, 2014

Social Security ended fiscal year 2013 with 698,000 people waiting for a decision on their initial applications for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, indicating the importance of preparing before applying for SSDI benefits, according to Allsup. The company, based in Belleville, Ill., has helped more than a quarter-million people to receive their SSDI benefits.

Data provided in the Social Security Administration's (SSA) FY 2013 Agency Financial Report also projects the number of pending initial disability claims may reach 900,000 in fiscal year 2014, which ends Sept. 30, 2014.

"After a few years of seeing improvement, the wait time for initial Social Security disability claims may once again be increasing because of the government shutdown late last year and reductions in Social Security's staff," said Mike Stein, assistant vice president of claims at Allsup. He pointed out that the SSA has cited a loss of 11,000 employees in the past three years.

SSDI is a federally mandated disability insurance program overseen by the SSA and operates separately from the retirement and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. It provides monthly benefits to people under full retirement age (65-67) who can no longer work because of a severe disability. The impairment must be expected to last for more than 12 months or be terminal. Workers and their employers pay FICA taxes to fund the program.

"The SSA only approves one out of three initial SSDI applications, and countless people simply give up after that," Stein explained. "Many SSDI claims are denied because of technical errors and missing information. The best way to improve your chances for SSDI approval is to have professional help like Allsup from the beginning."

Apply For Social Security Disability Benefits
Stein offered the following tips when first applying for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits:

1. Do some homework. People usually can get a good idea if they're eligible for SSDI benefits before beginning the paperwork. There are age and work history requirements because someone must have worked long enough, and paid enough FICA taxes, to qualify. The best way to check eligibility is to call Allsup at (800) 678-3276 for a free Social Security disability evaluation.

2. Gather the paperwork. It's important to know and document work and medical histories. Someone's chances for approval are significantly reduced without this documentation.

3. Be accurate. Applicants can lose credibility for their claim if their application paperwork contains simple errors or lists information differently from one form to another.

4. Be patient. After filing the application, keep in mind that many thousands of people are ahead in the SSDI line. Expect several months for the application to be reviewed. Even then, it probably will be denied, so be prepared to immediately file an appeal.

5. Get help. It's very difficult for a layman to fully understand the complexities of the disability system. Experienced professionals such as Allsup can navigate the complicated forms, help gather the proper work and medical documentation, and ensure that timely filing requirements are met. Allsup's success rate is 97 percent for those who complete the SSDI process with them, and more than half are granted benefits at the application level.

Click here to learn more about filing a Social Security disability appeal if the application was denied. Find more information about the benefits of a representative on http://www.Allsup.com.

For answers to specific questions about eligibility for SSDI benefits, contact an Allsup SSDI specialist for a free evaluation at (800) 678-3276.

ABOUT ALLSUP
Allsup is a nationwide provider of Social Security disability, veterans disability appeal, Medicare and Medicare Secondary Payer compliance services for individuals, employers and insurance carriers. Allsup professionals deliver specialized services supporting people with disabilities and seniors so they may lead lives that are as financially secure and as healthy as possible. Founded in 1984, the company is based in Belleville, Ill., near St. Louis. For more information, go to http://www.Allsup.com or visit Allsup on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Allsupinc.

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