Helping The Disabled And Injured In
Missouri Get The Support They Deserve

How do I maximize my SSDI?

Around 1 in 4 adults in the US are living with a disability. It is likely that if you have a physical or mental disability that prevents you from working, that you have eligibility for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). However, the amount that the government gives you depends on a specific calculation.

Ultimately, there are no “tricks” to increase the amounts of your SSDI checks; however, there are things you can do to ensure that you have the maximum amount of assistance possible. US News and World Report suggests being thorough when you apply, and looking into other avenues of assistance to maximize your benefits.

Be complete

You should apply for benefits as soon as you become disabled. Your disability must prevent you from working for at least one year. In the event that your impairment makes it impossible to work right away, you do not need to wait to apply.

Your physician can be a huge help when filling out disability forms. You must be specific about the nature of your impairment. For instance, it is better to specifically say that you cannot bend or open doorknobs, rather than just reference a large amount of pain.

Understand other benefits

SSDI is not the only form of government assistance you may hold eligibility for. You may be able to get a free landline, cell phone or have food stamps. These can help lower your overall monthly expenses and make living on SSDI easier. Other things to look into include the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and potentially getting help with transportation.

Living on SSDI may be a major adjustment. However, taking the right steps and understanding all of your options will make it easier.

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