How do I apply for disability in Nevada? There are several ways, including by phone, online or in person. First, however, you must meet Social Security Disability qualifications.
The process is long and can be frustrating when you try to manage it on your own. Getting help from an experienced Las Vegas personal injury lawyer can make things easier and increase your chances of approval.
Qualifying for Social Security Disability
Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits are distributed by the Social Security Administration (SSA). There are requirements for qualifying for SSD. Eligibility factors include the nature of your illness or disability and your previous employment.
Your condition must meet the SSA’s definition for “disabled.” This means it must have lasted a year or is expected to last at least that long. It must also prevent you from performing substantial gainful activity (SGA). For example, as Nevada drivers ranked 10th worst in the nation, you might have sustained a life-changing car accident injury.
Regarding employment, you must have paid into SSA through previous work and have a specified number of work credits. The dollar amount required to acquire a work credit changes yearly as it is affected by inflation and economic trends. Workers can earn up to four credits per year.
How to Apply for Disability in Nevada
You can apply for disability in Nevada in three ways: by phone, in person, or online. Nevada has a total of four SSA offices throughout the state. They are in Henderson, Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and Reno. You can use the Social Security Office Locator to find addresses and contact information.
If you apply over the phone, you will need to call during the hours of operation and may need to schedule a phone appointment for a later date. If you wish to apply in person, you will need to call ahead to make an appointment. All application requirements can be completed online, so this method is often the most efficient. Reviewing the checklist for the online disability application will also help.
Before beginning down any of these application routes, connect with a Las Vegas personal injury attorney. Knowing how to choose the right lawyer is important to your case. When you choose us, rest assured, we know how the SSD system works and can help you prepare a complete, convincing application.
Information You Need When You Apply for Disability in Nevada
When you apply for disability in Nevada, you must provide the SSA with your personal information, extensive medical information, which must be verified by your care team or other medical professionals, and your employment history.
Personal Information
Required personal information includes:
- Your place and date of birth
- Your Social Security Number
- Your spouse’s–and any former spouse’s–name and Social Security number
- The date and location of your marriage
- The date of your divorce or your spouse’s death, if you are divorced or widowed
- The name and birthdays of your minor children
If you were born out of the country, the SSA may require a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship to certify your legal status. To have your benefits deposited into your bank account electronically, you will also have to provide the SSA with banking information.
Medical Information
Required medical information includes:
- Contact details and patient ID numbers for your doctors and facilities where you received treatment
- Treatment dates and locations
- A list of your medications and prescribing doctors
- Dates and types of all medical tests and the doctors who put in the orders
Your application submission must include complete medical documentation–doctors’ reports, test results, treatment schedules, and your prognosis.
Employment Information
Required employment information includes:
- Your work history
- Earnings for the previous and current year
- Contact details for your employer (or employers) for the previous and current years
- A copy of your Social Security statement
- A list of up to five employment situations you have had over the previous 15 years and prior to your condition’s onset, with specific dates of employment for each job
- Information detailing workers’ compensation or other benefits you have filed or intend to file for, whether the benefits are temporary or permanent, and whether they are paid in a lump sum or sent monthly
You may be asked for additional information if you served in the military or were self-employed or to address other case-specific circumstances.
What to Expect After You Apply
After you apply for disability in Nevada, the SSA will process and review your application. Timing can vary depending on your condition and other factors. The process moves more swiftly for those with pancreatic cancer, leukemia, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
The SSA conducts thorough application reviews, so you may be contacted with follow-up questions or requests for additional documentation. A Las Vegas personal injury lawyer can help you formulate responses and compile the required information.
Usually, you will receive an approval or denial from the SSA through the mail within three to six months of submitting your application. You can set up a “my Social Security” account or call the SSA during office hours to check on your application’s status.
Application Denials
Should your application be denied, we can help you appeal the decision. The denial letter will provide insight regarding your options for appeal. The options include requesting an/a
- Application reconsideration
- Hearing with a judge
- Case review from the Appeals Council
- Federal Court review
The deadline for filing an appeal is 60 days from the date you received notice of the denial. Reach out for help quickly so we can get to work and file on time. Our case results show how hard we have fought for our clients, and we will fight just as hard for you.
Get the Disability Benefits You Need
Adjusting to a disability comes with challenges reaching into all areas of your life. You have to come to terms with physical limitations and the complicated emotions that come from your physical losses. Then, you have to deal with the financial fallout–if you cannot work, you need other means of support.
A personal injury attorney from our team can help. We can handle the application process and gather the required documentation and other evidence to support your claim. The best way to apply for disability in Nevada is through a partnership with H&P Law. We are here to help you get the benefits you need.
