For those who can no longer earn a living wage, Social Security disability benefits are a godsend. Since the application process is fairly tedious, however, many eligible parties put off filing a claim for as long as possible. Unfortunately, waiting too long could ultimately threaten your financial security because it might take months to secure the disability benefits you deserve. Those who apply too soon, on the other hand, could end up receiving a denial because they do not have enough proof of their disability yet. Below, the knowledgeable attorneys at David W. Kapor & Associates in Cincinnati, OH, explain when it’s wise to file a claim.

When You Meet the Eligibility Requirements

There are several requirements that applicants must meet to be eligible for disability benefits. The two main ones are accumulating 40 work credits by holding positions covered by Social Security and sustaining a qualifying disability.

In certain scenarios, the work credit requirement can be waived for younger individuals, but there is no flexibility when it comes to qualifying disabilities. The condition must prevent you from performing the work you have been doing and should be expected to last for at least 12 months. As soon as you have evidence stating the disability is neither partial nor short term, you should have enough documentation to apply for benefits. 

When You Stop Working 

Applicants are eligible to apply for benefits the day after they stop working or their income drops below $1,180 per month. If you have a sizable savings account or emergency fund, you might consider dipping into it and applying for benefits only after running out of money. Although this might seem like the honorable approach, the application process can take months, and waiting until there are no funds left before applying could leave the entire family without a safety net. Therefore, individuals should apply as soon as they are eligible to do so. 

If you want to apply for Social Security disability benefits, the compassionate team at David W. Kapor & Associates will help you navigate every stage of the claims process. If your application is denied the first time around, they will also help with the appeals process. Based in Cincinnati, this firm focuses solely on Social Security law, which means they help clients just like you every day. To contact an attorney on their team, visit their website or call (513) 721-2820 today.