Are Both Physical Injuries And Mental Health Issues Going To Be Covered Under Social Security Disability In North Carolina?

Given that the social security disability system is a federal system, the claims that are approved in North Carolina are the same as any other state. Because of this, our firm will take social security cases from Virginia, South Carolina, or any areas close to North Carolina.

It is fairly common that someone’s physical disability will also affect their mental status. Quite often, not being able to work, as well as being in constant pain, will lead to some level of depression and anxiety. It is important that when you file a social security disability claim, you list all of your impairments, not just the physical impairments. This includes any problems that a doctor has diagnosed or is treating you for, which certainly includes any kind of mental problem.

The foundational mental impairments include depression, anxiety, PTSD, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other similar illnesses. Whatever the mental issue may be, as long as it affects your ability to work in any way, it should be disclosed to social security to have the best chance of approval.

When Should I Apply For Social Security Disability Benefits? Is It Ever Too Early?

It is never too early to apply for social security disability benefits.

The law says that you have to be out of work (or be expected to be out of work) for one full year to be eligible for social security disability benefits. There is no disability benefit for someone who has been out of work for less than one full year. If according to your doctors, it looks certain that you won’t ever be able to work again due to the injury you suffered, it probably is not too early to apply for social security disability benefits.

If you have stopped working recently, and you feel that there’s a good chance of you returning before a year has gone by, then it may not be worth it to go through the application process. However, as soon as you know that at least one year is going to go by before you can go back to work, you need to apply sooner rather than later.

One of the big reasons for this is that it takes a long time to navigate the process. It is not uncommon for it to take 18 months, or even over two years, to resolve your claim from start to finish. That said, the quicker you get started, the quicker the resolution of your case is going to be determined. If you don’t want to wait for months or years on end to see whether or not you can even apply, then applying sooner rather than later is the safe option.

What Do I Need To Do To Prepare Before Applying For SSD And How Do I Apply For Disability Benefits?

The application process for disability is pretty straightforward, and in the wake of COVID-19, you can even do it online.

Before the pandemic, the application process used to be in person with a representative via a scheduled appointment. Now, you can do it online, or by telephone and someone will call you at a scheduled time to gather the necessary information for your claim.

In this process, there will be documents to sign, and social security can send them to you in the mail, which you will sign and send back in an envelope they provide. Luckily, the application process itself is not hard, but there is a lot of information that is required. This information would be in regards to things such as your spouse, your kids, your work history, your doctors, your medications, and the medical treatments you’ve received.

To prepare, it is recommended that you get all the information required for your application up front. Certainly, if someone was thinking about applying, it is worth it to contact an attorney’s office as they have a list that social security puts out that has all the information that they will be requesting from you over time. Collecting this information before you start the application process often makes the process go smoother and quicker.

Besides getting the documents together prior to your application process, it is helpful to discuss with your doctors their recommendations regarding your ability to work and determine if they feel that you are disabled due to the injury you sustained. The Social Security Administration puts significant weight on the opinions of your doctors, and if you know your doctors are supportive of your claim, it will make things go much smoother than if the doctor’s completely unaware of the nature of your injury. For more information on Social Security Disability in North Carolina, an initial consultation is your next best step.