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Cannon Disability Law > FILING FOR DISABILITY IN COLORADO

FILING FOR DISABILITY IN COLORADO

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HOW TO FILE FOR DISABILITY BENEFITS IN COLORADO

Filing for SSDI and SSI benefits in Colorado is a task that Cannon Disability Law can help you with. Especially if you have a physical or mental condition that keeps you from working for over 12 months. You may need help filing for Social Security benefits in Colorado. We are there for you. You do not have to file for benefits on your own.

There are two federal SSA programs that you can apply for.

The first program is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). SSD benefits require you to have a lengthy work history. You must also have paid your taxes. SSD benefits come with Medicare. Learn about Medicare benefits.

The second program is Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI benefits are very different from SSD benefits. For example, SSI benefits are for those who have never had a job. They are also for children. Or, they are for those who made very little money when working. Additionally, the benefits are extra money for those with a low monthly SSD payment. SSI benefit comes with Medicaid. If you win SSI benefits, then Medicaid starts on the date you filed your SSI application. Learn more information about Medicaid benefits.

Each of these programs requires you to have a physical or mental condition that keeps you from working for over 12 months. Learn more information about what you need to know to file for SSD benefits.

OTHER COLORADO BENEFITS

Colorado, unlike California, does not have a short–term disability (STD) insurance program. However, your employer may offer STD insurance through a private insurance company.

This means you would pay for STD insurance benefits through your employer. You buy a private policy. If you can’t work due to a severe medical condition, then the policy pays you benefits. Additionally, if you lose a job and are able to return to work, then you can apply for unemployment benefits.

Your employer may also offer parental leave benefits or long term benefits. Additionally, there are federal benefits available through an employer, like the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

SSD insurance is not the same as workers’ compensation. In the case of Social Security insurance benefits, injury or illness does not have to be the result of a work incident orevent.

Colorado does have a program covering temporary disabilities for state employees and other government workers. Workers gain access after five years with the Public Employee Retirement System. Additionally, Colorado does require private employers to buy into the Worker’s Compensation program.

TWO TYPES OF PRIVATE INSURANCE IN COLORADO

Privately, in Colorado, there are two types of private insurance that you can buy: short term and long term. Short term will usually replace a portion of your salary from three to six months after you become unable to work due to your medical condition.

Long-term benefits will normally begin six months after your medical condition prevents you from working. This type of benefit can last a few years until you are able to return to work. Likewise, it can also pay out until retirement age. It all depends on the type of policy you buy.

Typically, private insurance limits mental health payments to a two year term. This is not true across the board. But, most insurance companies put a limit of two years on any payment of benefits due to mental health reasons. For example, if you claim benefits for anxiety, then that would trigger a two year payment limit.

Therefore, if you have a combination of medical conditions, like a severe back condition and anxiety, you should make sure the insurance company pays you based on your back condition. Because, if they base payments on your mental health condition, then there will be a time limit on the payout period. Once private benefits end, you would need to return to work.

THREE WAYS TO FILE FOR SSD BENEFITS IN COLORADO

There are three easy ways to apply or file your application for benefits in Colorado.  First, the easiest way to file an application is to file online. If you don’t have a computer or access to one, then you go with the second choice:  apply over the telephone. Remember, you can always go to the library and use a computer for free. Finally, you can apply in person.

Benefits begin from the date you file your application, so the longer you wait to file, the more money you lose. If you cannot work due to a medical condition, then file for benefits today. Here are three ways to file:

  1. Online: You can apply online at the Social Security website.
  2. Telephone: You can apply over the telephone by calling the SSA’s customer service line at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778)
  3. In-person: You can apply in person at your local Social Security field office.

Additionally, if you need help getting a doctor and medical records for your case, then we have a list of Colorado’s free and low cost health resources. We also have a list of cities we serve.

COLORADO DDS REVIEWS YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS

After filing for benefits, your case will transfer to the Colorado office of Disability Determination Services (DDS). DDS reviews medical records to assist the SSA in making prompt decisions regarding SSD and SSI claims.

The DDS office assists with both SSI and SSDI claims in Colorado. They can also request more medical records if they do not have enough information to make the correct decision about your case.

Below you will find the address and phone number of DDS:

Colorado Disability Determination Services
3190 S. Vaughn Way
Aurora, CO 80014

Other important numbers:

DDS front desk 303.368.4100
SSA information line 800.772.1213
TDD – SSA – National 800.325.0778
DDS TTY/TDD 303.752.5650
State of Colorado general information 303.866.5000
Colorado Department of Human Services 303.866.5700
Welfare 303.727.3666

 

If you have questions or need to submit medical records, then you can submit information to the Colorado DDS. The DDS worker decides whether or not to pay you SSD or SSI benefits at the initial level of your case. If you are denied, then you file a request for review. If the DDS worker denies your case at the next level, then you will need to file a Request for a Hearing with the SSA.

At each stage of the five step SSA review process, it is important to file any appeals on time. Typically, you only have 60 days in which to appeal an decision from the SSA. Learn information about women and Social Security benefits.

WHO MAKES THE DECISIONS AT THE SSA?

DDS is fully funded by the Federal Government. However, it is a Colorado state agency. DDS is responsible for getting all of your medical evidence.  However, you need to tell them which doctors have your medical records. DDS also makes the initial decision about whether you should get benefits.

Usually, DDS tries to obtain evidence from your medical sources first. If that evidence is not enough, then DDS will arrange for you to have a free doctor exam.  This exam is paid for by the SSA. Find out about the free SSA doctor exam.

After development of the medical evidence, DDS makes both the initial decision and the second review decision. Find out more about how to file a request for review.

If DDS finds that you qualify for benefits, then SSA does any other development needed to finish your case. Next, SSA figures your monthly benefit amount.  They do this based on the amount of money you have earned during your working life. Then, they begin paying your benefits. If, however, you do not win benefits, then your file is kept in the field office in case you decide to appeal SSA’s decision. Always appeal. Also, always appeal on time.

COLORADO DDS PERFORMANCE

Colorado’s DDS is usually in the top twenty when compared to the performance of the 52 other DDS’s in other States. Their goal is to make the best case decision possible. They also try to provide excellent customer service.

DDS states that the most important measure of “our performance –accuracy– comes from an independent review of our decisions by Social Security’s Disability Quality Branch.” SSA’s records show their overall scores to be above the national average. In fact, in Federal Fiscal Year 2018, the Colorado DDS was correct 97.2% of the time, or 2.5 points above the national norm and ranked second in the nation. This number, of course, does not count the cases that were awarded by the ALJ’s at the hearing level or by the Appeals Council.

The Colorado DDS states the second most important measure of their performance is how much work they produce. According to SSA, not making mistakes shows they are a cost effective operation. Productivity is defined by the number of cases finished in a work year. In Federal Fiscal Year 2018, the Colorado DDS ranked 18th out of 52 in and they were 3 points over the national average.

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS THAT RESULT IN SSD BENEFITS

There are a number of physical conditions that can keep you from working. If you cannot work for more than 12 months due to any of the following physical conditions, then you should apply for SSD benefits in Colorado.

FILING FOR MENTAL HEALTH SSD BENEFITS IN COLORADO 

If you have more than one physical condition, then you may win benefits because you “equal” SSA’s rules. Find out more about winning SSD benefits with medical records.

Our law firm can also help you win SSDI or SSI benefits if you have a mental condition that prevents you from working for more than 12 months. For example, you may have one mental disease or a combination of mental conditions. Either way, we can help you with your case. SSDI and SSI benefits are available for many different mental health conditions including:

In addition, mental health issues can combine with physical conditions. If you cannot meet SSA’s standards under one mental health condition, then you may have to prove you cannot work due to other factors. For example, you may need to show you can’t work due to the impact of both your mental and physical symptoms. Find out more about winning SSDI and SSI benefits in Colorado using your residual functional capacity.

WHAT DOES OUR LAW FIRM DO FOR YOUR SSD CASE?

You do not have to obtain Colorado SSD benefits on your own. We can help file your SSDI and SSI application. Also, we can help you understand the appeal stages and what evidence you must submit. We will also appeal for you.

If you leave that up to us, then you can focus on your health. Our attorneys and staff can:

If you file your application on Social Security’s website, then you have 6 months to complete it. It is best to complete the application quickly. You don’t want to run out the 6 month time limit. If you do, you might have to start over. And worse, you will lose any right to benefits on the first application.

THE BEST SSD ATTORNEYS IN COLORADO

At our law firm, we are experts at winning SSDI and SSI benefits. You can learn more about our lawyers and staff on our About Us Page. You can also review our client paperwork on our Fee Agreement and Important Forms.

For example, in the last 30 years, we have won over 20,000 SSD and SSI cases for our clients. If you need help filling out your application for benefits, then contact our office. We can also help you appeal any SSA denial. If you need more information about what it costs to hire us, then read our article, “Attorney Fees in SSD Cases.”

When you contact our office for help with your application, make sure you know some basic facts. We will need to know your date of birth. We also need to know your wedding date and divorce date. Additionally, we will need to know the date you last worked. Also, we will need to know the names of your doctors.

The Social Security application asks basic information about your family and your children. You will also need a list of where you have worked. Likewise, you will need to write about what you did at each job. The SSA needs to know this information in order to process your application.

Also, if you previously filed an application for benefits in Colorado, then don’t forget to request that the SSA reopen your old application. This is also true if you filed a prior application in any state.

WORKING WITH YOUR LEGAL TEAM TO WIN SSD BENEFITS IN COLORADO

Obviously, we cannot file for SSD and SSI benefits in Colorado without your help. That is why we say we are your legal team. A team requires working together. We may be experts at the law. However, you are the expert on the facts of your life.

We will also need to know why you cannot work. You will need to describe your symptoms. Additionally, there are forms we will need you to complete for the SSA. Forms such as the Activities of Daily Living Form or the Work History form.

First, you complete the forms. Do it in pencil. If you need help with the form, then we can answer your questions. Second, if you make a mistake, then you can erase it and fix it.

After we file your application, we collect your medical records. However, we need your help to collect your medical records. You provide the names of your doctors and counselors. If you don’t give us the information about your doctors, then we cannot contact them on your behalf. We need their address and phone number.

Additionally, after we file your Colorado SSD benefit application, we position your case to win. If your case receives an initial denial, then we appeal. At the time of a second denial, we will request a hearing.

Once you reach a hearing, we review your full SSA file. Also, we prepare you to testify about your case in court. Because we have been in so many hearing in Colorado, we know the questions the judge will ask. We can prepare you to answer their questions.

Finally, use our experience to give you a better chance of winning your SSD and SSI benefits. If you need help filing for Colorado SSD benefits, then contact Cannon Disability today.

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