Waiting to hear a judgment on your application for disability benefits can be a stressful and anxious time. This is due to the fact that it can take anywhere between 3-5 months to hear back on a decision that will have a significant impact on your life.

Since May 1, 2011, paper checks have no longer been used to distribute funds to new recipients of Social Security Disability benefits.

Many people want to know if obtaining an education will affect their ability to get Social Security Disability benefits. That's a good question. The Social Security Administration considers numerous factors when evaluating a disability application. For example, the Social Security Administration considers age, work experience, and education when analyzing such claims.

Of course, individuals with lower educational levels have fewer job opportunities and may require more need for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) . Does this mean that an individual with a Master's degree or a doctorate won't receive SSDI? Not necessarily, although that individual may have a harder time winning a claim than someone who just has a GED. Is this fair? That depends on which side of the line you stand on.

When considering a disability claim, the Social Security Administration also considers work experience and work history. An individual who has vocational training or schooling, a higher degree education or none at all often reflects the type and number of jobs that individual may qualify for.

One of the basic determining questions that the Social Security Administration asks of disability claims reviewers is whether or not the person applying for disability is able to work 40 hours a week and eight hours a day. In essence, the Social Security Administration determines disability or impairment as well as any vocational and medical factors that hamper or prevent an individual from working or getting a job.

For example, if the individual's medical disability or impairment does not impair that person from getting a job, the disability service examiner made then refer to the person's age, educational background and work history to determine whether that individual has the capacity to engage in gainful employment within the competitive workforce.

Individuals who have received only vocational education or who may find it physically or mentally difficult to be retrained or employed within the competitive workforce, especially when caused by medical or mental conditions or impairments, may receive a greater chance of receiving disability benefits.

Age also plays a large role in the approval or denial of disability benefits. For example, individuals who are over 50 years of age and who have routinely taken sedentary jobs and have ample education to continue seeking work within a sedentary job environment may be denied benefits because they're considered more able to retrain or to learn a new job skill. However, that same individual who doesn't have an education may be limited to the number of jobs he or she may find and may be considered disabled, and thereby receive disability benefits.

Remember that each case is analyzed and evaluated separately and takes into consideration additional factors including the type of medical condition or disability that is impairing the individual, the history of treatment, short-term and long-term prognosis as well as capability of that individual to obtain work in the near or distant future. For more detailed information regarding disability benefits, visit your local Social Security Administration office and speak to a representative or caseworker regarding your concerns.

The Social Security Administration's PASS (Plan to Achieve Self-Support) is a program in place within the Social Security Administration that is designed to aid individuals with disabilities in their eventual return to gainful employment. How does it work?

The PASS program allows disabled individuals, "to set aside money and/or things he or she owns to pay for items or services needed to achieve a specific work goal." SSI eligibility as well as prospective payment amounts is based on property that an individual owns as well as their income. In allowing individuals to set aside money, applicants to the program may be able to pay for specific services or items that may help them eventually get back to work.

For example, the PASS program enables applicants to determine what type of education or training, types of items, as well as services that may be utilized to help them achieve their ultimate work goals. Such items found services may include transportation, specialized equipment, start-up business supplies and so forth.

The PASS program is designed to help individuals pay some of these costs. Individuals who are able to put some money aside are able to make installment payments or down payments on larger and more expensive equipment or tools such as wheelchairs or computers that may help in the search for gainful employment.

Accessing the PASS Program

The PASS program is often under their purview of disability organizations, advocacy organizations, and vocational rehabilitation counselors as well as networks including the Ticket-to-Work program. Individuals can also find more information regarding the PASS program at their local Social Security office.

Individuals fill out the PASS application and either mail or bring it in person to their local Social Security office. For individuals who wish to work at home or be self-employed, a well-developed business plan may also be required to accompany the PASS application.

Social Security employees trained to work with the PASS program work directly with the applicants to determine whether work goals are reasonable and that the items and services listed on the individual's application are actually needed to help that person achieve their work goals.

The PASS application is known as form SSA-545. You can download this form directly from the Social Security Administration's website. The application requires information including your work goals, and your educational background as well as medical and vocational background and information including disabling injuries, illnesses or conditions as well as limitations. You'll be asked to list the types of jobs you've been employed within the last several years as well as information regarding your school education.

Individuals filling out the PASS program application should be prepared to include a planned start date as well as steps for achieving goals. A section of the application includes proposed expenses including whether you plan on using public transportation or you need to lease or purchase a vehicle. Be prepared to explain your reasoning.

Finally, be prepared to explain how various requested items or services will help you reach your work goals and information regarding your current living expenses.

A global assessment of function, known as a GAF, is commonly used in the Social Security Administration to determine mental status. It's mainly used by mental health practitioners to document, diagnose, and offer prognosis regarding mental health.