Filing a claim for Social Security benefits is difficult enough without having to deal with the misconceptions that surround the federal program. Authorized under the Social Security Act of 1935, benefits come in many forms, including retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. Under the Social Security Act of 1935, the federal government collects Social Security taxes to fund the federal program.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common myths associated with Social Security benefits.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers disability benefits. To get disability benefits, you must be unable to work for at least 12 months because of your medical condition.

To get the highest disability settlement, you should enlist the help of a knowledgeable disability attorney. You will need to gather supporting medical evidence and other documentation.

If you suffer from a disability such as later-stage cancer or a traumatic head injury, you cannot afford to wait for the bureaucracy at the Social Security Administration (SSA) to process your claim for Social Security disability benefits. Is there a way for you to have your claim expedited by the SSA? The answer is yes, as you have several options for getting your disability application reviewed faster than the typical claim filing process.

During your disability claims process, you may end up doing a disability interview if you reach the disability hearing level. There are some things that you should avoid saying during a disability interview process. To get the highest possible settlement, and to get your claim approved, you should enlist the help of a disability lawyer. Gather hard medical evidence and any other supporting documentation for disability claim.

Common Disability Judge Questions

Questions regarding your personal information and background

While people of all ages can suffer from disabilities and might apply for Social Security Disability benefits, age can play a factor when the Social Security Administration (SSA) is looking over an application. To help with the Disability Determination process, the SSA has set up several age categories.

Those ages 18 to 44 are considered young individuals. Those ages 45 to 49 are classified as younger individuals.