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Cannon Disability Law > FILING FOR IDAHO DISABILITY BENEFITS

FILING FOR IDAHO DISABILITY BENEFITS

Idaho Shoshone Falls waterfalls filing for Idaho disability benefits

HOW TO FILE FOR SSDI & SSI BENEFITS IN IDAHO

Filing for SSDI and SSI benefits in Idaho is what our law firm can help you with. Especially, if you have a physical or mental illness that prevents you from working. If you are like most people, then you may be confused by the Social Security process. Therefore, you should get help to file for Social Security benefits in Idaho.

If you cannot work for more than one year, then there are two federal programs that can help you.

The first is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSD). The second program is Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSDI benefits require you to have a lengthy work history. They also require you to have paid your taxes. When you pay your taxes, for example, a portion of that money is set aside to pay you monthly benefits in case you can’t work. SSDI benefits also comes with Medicare. Learn more information about Medicare benefits. Medicare is also a benefit that comes along with retirement benefits.

SSI benefits, on the other hand, are for those who have never had a job. They are also for children who have a severe medical condition. Additionally, SSI adds to your monthly benefit for those with a low monthly SSD payment. SSI benefits come with Medicaid. Find information about Medicaid benefits.

Each of these programs requires you to have a condition that keeps you from working for over 12 months. If you need further information, then learn what you what you need to know to apply for disability benefits.

OTHER IDAHO DISABILITY BENEFITS

Idaho, unlike some states, 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 insurance benefits by buying a private policy. If you lose a job, but are able to return to work, then you can also apply for unemployment benefits.

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

Privately, there are two types of disability insurance that you can buy: short term and long term. Short term benefits, for example, will usually replace a portion of your salary from three to six months after the onset of being unable to work.

Long term benefits will usually begin six months after your medical condition made you stop working. However, long term benefits can last a few years until you are able to return to work. Likewise, those long term benefits can also pay out until retirement age. It all depends on the type of policy you buy and how long your medical condition makes it impossible for you to work.

Disability insurance is not the same as workers’ compensation. For example, in the case of private insurance, injury or illness does not have to be the result of a work incident or event. In fact, research by the U.S. Department of Education shows that the most common cause of needing long term benefits are heart disease, back injury and cancer. Shortly after that are mental conditions such as anxiety.

THREE WAYS TO FILE FOR SSD BENEFITS IN IDAHO

Here are three easy ways to apply or file your application for SSDI and SSI benefits in Idaho.  The easiest way to file an application is to file online. If you don’t have a computer or access to one, you can still apply over the telephone or in person.

Benefits begin from the date you file your application. Therefore, the longer you wait to file, the more money you lose. Here are three ways to apply:

  1. Online: You can apply online at the Social Security website.
  2. Telephone: You can apply over the telephone by calling the SSA’s toll free 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, we have a list of Idaho’s free and low cost health resources. Finally, if you need the help of a medical expert, ask your primary care doctor to refer you to an expert.

SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD OFFICES IN IDAHO

If you do not want to apply online at SSA’s website, then you can submit an application to your local SSA office. Idaho’s SSA offices can accept your application. They can also accept medical information and other important paperwork in your case.

Office Name Location Address City State Phone Number
BOISE ID SUITE 101 1249 S VINNELL WAY BOISE ID (855) 377-9316
POCATELLO ID SUITE B 861 JEFFERSON AVE POCATELLO ID (866) 643-3407
LEWISTON ID 1617 19TH AVE LEWISTON ID (877) 405-9796
TWIN FALLS ID 1437 FILLMORE ST TWIN FALLS ID (866) 748-2087
IDAHO FALLS ID 2196 CHANNING WAY IDAHO FALLS ID (866) 253-0489
COEUR D ALENE SUITE 100 7400 N MINERAL DRIVE COEUR D ALENE ID (866) 931-2523
CALDWELL ID 1118 SOUTH KIMBALL AVE. CALDWELL ID (877) 836-1560

THE LOCATION OF IDAHO DDS OFFICES

After filing for benefits, the local office will transfer your case to the Idaho office of Disability Determination Services (DDS). Next, DDS reviews your medical records and other forms of medical evidence. Their review assists the Social Security Administration to make prompt decisions regarding SSDI and SSI claims.

DDS can assist with both SSI and SSDI claims in Idaho. They can also request more medical information if they do not have enough information to make the correct decision in your case.

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

Idaho DDS

Office location
317 W Main Street
Boise, Idaho 83735

Mailing address
P.O. Box 21
Boise, ID 83707-0021

Phone: (208) 327-7333
Toll-free: (800) 626-2681
Fax: (208) 327-2230

TDD: (800) 377-3529

Disability Determinations Service

Professional Relations Officer
P.O. Box 21
Boise, ID 83707
Phone: (208) 327-7333
Toll free: 1-800-626-2681
Fax: 1-800-742-6995
Email: DDS.PRO@labor.idaho.gov

This is where a DDS worker reviews your case. If you have questions or need to submit medical records, then you can submit information to DDS.

The DDS worker decides whether or not you should be paid benefits at the initial and also the second stage of your case. If the DDS worker denies your case at the second stage, then you will need to file a Request for a Hearing with the SSA.

At each stage of the process, it is important to file appeals on time. For instance, you only have 60 days in which to appeal a decision from the SSA.

WHO MAKES THE DECISIONS AT THE SSA?

DDS is fully funded by the Federal Government. However, it is an Idaho state agency. DDS is responsible for getting the medical evidence and making the initial decision on whether you are disabled or blind under the law.

The Idaho DDS makes the medical decision for the Social Security Administration (SSA).  However, DDS does not receive claims directly from the people who file an application. Instead, Social Security offices throughout Idaho send SSD and SSI claims to DDS for review. For instance, if you submit medical records to your local office, then they will send it to DDS.

Usually, DDS tries to obtain evidence from your medical sources first. If that evidence is not enough, then DDS will arrange for a free SSA doctor exam.  The SSA pays for the exam. You can learn about the free SSA doctor exam.

After they finish their review of the evidence, DDS makes a decision about your case. At the initial stage this can take 3 to 6 months. The second appeal stage can also take up to 6 months.

If DDS finds you should be paid benefits, then SSA will finish any other development. Next, SSA figures out your monthly benefit amount and begins paying benefits. If, however, you do not get benefits, then your file is kept in the field office in case you decide to appeal the decision. Always appeal.

FILING FOR IDAHO BENEFITS FOR PHYSICAL CONDITIONS

To win benefits your physical condition must last for more than one year and meet SSA’s rules. In Idaho, we win benefits for the following:

WE CAN WIN IDAHO BENEFITS FOR MENTAL CONDITIONS

Obtaining the medical evidence that shows you have each element of the listing is what you need to do to win benefits. If you have every element, then this is known as “meeting” the listing. Meeting the listing means the SSA should pay you benefits. If you do not “meet” the listing, then you can still win your case if you can show you “equal” the listing. Equaling the listing, for example, requires the judge to look at the combination of all of your medical conditions.

Our law firm can also help you win benefits for a mental illness. However, your mental condition must prevent you from working for more than one year. You may have one mental illness or a combination of conditions. Either way, we can help you win your case. For example, benefits are available for many mental health conditions including:

As with physical illness, mental conditions also have rules you must meet in order to win SSD benefits. Each of the above mental conditions, for example, has symptoms that you must prove. For instance, if you file for benefits for PTSD, you must show severe mental symptoms, like panic or nightmares. However, you must also show your mental symptoms keep you from working.

Therefore, in order to prove you deserve benefits, you must have mental health treatment. You must also have medical records that support your claim. If you need help finding free or low cost mental health services, then review our list of Idaho Free Mental Health resources.

WE ARE THE BEST SSD ATTORNEYS IN IDAHO

Our lawyers and staff are experts at winning SSDI and SSI benefits. If you want to learn about our legal experience, then review our About Us Page. For example, in the last 30 years, we have won over 20,000 SSDI and SSI cases for our clients. So, if you need help filing for benefits, then contact our office. We can also help you appeal a denial from the SSA. We can also prove your RFC keeps you from working.

When you contact our office for help with your Social Security application, make sure you are ready to give us some basic facts about your case. We will need to know the date of your birth. Also, we need to know your wedding date and divorce date. Likewise, we need to know the date you last worked. Additionally, we will need to know the names, address and phone numbers of your doctors.

The Social Security application asks basic information about your family and your children. You will also need a list of the places where you have worked. Also, you will need to describe what you did at each job. For example, you want to describe what you did on the job, not give your job title.

One of the other things they will need to know is the heaviest weight you had to lift at your past jobs. For example, a cashier lifts 40 pounds of dog food, heavy furniture, and 50 pound cans of paint. It is what the job requires. Do not write that you lifted nothing. Even if you had special treatment from your employer, that is not what most people get. So, write about what the job requires for any worker. All jobs require lifting.  The SSA needs to know this information to process your application.

REOPENING A PRIOR APPLICATION FOR SSD BENEFITS

Also, if you previously filed an application for SSD benefits in Idaho, then make sure the SSA reopens your old application. Previous applications can be reopened under certain conditions. For example, if the SSA denied a prior application and you filed a new application within one year of that denial, then you can request the judge review the old application. This means that you can get benefits based on the first application, not just the second application for benefits.

It is also possible to reopen a prior application if your mental condition prevents you from understanding your appeal rights. For example, if you have an IQ problem, then you may not be able to understand the letter that SSA sends to you.

Another example that may require us to reopen your case is, for instance, if you are not able to read. If you can’t read, then you can’t understand your appeal rights. Likewise, some people can prove that the SSA did not send them a copy of their denial or that it was sent to the wrong location and they never got it. In those cases, benefits on a prior application should be available. Your attorney can help you reopen a prior application. If so, then you win more benefits. Finally, this is one more good reason to hire an attorney with experience.

WHAT WE DO TO HELP YOU WIN SSDI AND SSI BENEFITS 

If you have a severe medical condition, then you need help to apply for Social Security benefits. We can also help you file your application. Also, we can help you appeal every SSA denial. For example, our attorneys and staff can:

If you file your application for benefits online at Social Security’s website, then you have 6 months to complete the application. Once you submit your application online, the SSA sends you an application summary in the mail. You must sign the summary and mail it back. If you don’t send it back, then the SSA will not process your application. Sign it and send it back as soon as you can.

WORK WITH OUR LEGAL TEAM TO WIN IDAHO BENEFITS 

Obviously, we cannot file for Idaho SSD benefits without your help. That is why we say we are your legal team. A team requires team work. We may be experts at the law, but you are the expert on the facts of your life.

When you call, for instance, we need to know why you cannot work. For example, you will need to describe the symptoms of your mental and physical condition to us. Also, there are many forms you will need to complete for the SSA. Forms such as the Activities of Daily Living Form or the Work History form. Completing these forms properly is crucial to your case. If you need help with the form, then call us.

After we file your application, we collect your medical records. However, we need your help to collect your medical records. You give us the names of your doctors and counselors. If you don’t give us the information about your treating sources, then we will not be able to contact them for you.

After we file your Idaho benefits application, then we position your case to win. If you receive a denial at the initial phase, then we will appeal it. Likewise, if you are denied again, then we will request a hearing. We will represent you at your hearing. Furthermore, we will prepare you to testify in court. It is a long wait to go through the process. So, learn some tips on how to survive the wait for SSD benefits.

Once you reach the hearing stage, we review your SSA file. We then prepare you to testify. We can tell you the kinds of questions the judge will ask you at your hearing.

In conclusion, let us help you win your SSD and SSI case. If you need help filing for Idaho SSD and SSI benefits, then contact Cannon Disability Law.

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