When you work with Advocator Advantage, you have access to a group of experienced SSDI Client Advocates, working together on your behalf. You will be supported by some of the most knowledgeable and resourceful people in our industry. We have helped hundreds of thousands of clients receive Social Security Disability awards, and we take pride in our fast and favorable decisions.
Our Client Advocates use the most advanced technology in our industry and have access to a wealth of resources, allowing them to effectively respond to your questions and address your concerns about your Social Security disability application. This includes an entire organization of insurance and healthcare leaders who know how to work with the Social Security Administration and get things done.
Partner with SSDI professionals who know the disability application process inside and out. We help you understand the disability process and educate you on your rights as well as or better than local disability lawyers. We’re here with you every step of the way.
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GET A FREE EVALUATIONAs SSDI advocates, Advocator Advantage could provide you with several advantages over a local representative. First, we will assist you during every step of the disability application process, a process that is complex and can be very stressful. We are here to help you understand the procedures, educate you on the many types of paperwork you may receive, and we commit to being with you at every juncture.
Many attorneys handling disability cases don’t get involved until the hearing (which is typically the third stage of the process and can take two or more years to arrive). When you’re disabled and unable to work, it’s important to gain access to your Social Security disability benefits as soon as possible so you can take one more step toward financial well-being. This is why you should partner with SSDI advocates who know the disability application process inside and out.
Not only does hiring a local legal representative potentially leave you on your own until the hearing stage, but it also poses the risk that they will not specialize in disability issues. Therefore, a general practice attorney may not be able to provide you with the necessary guidance and education throughout the application process. With something as important as your SSDI claim, you need to rely on a team of professionals who specialize in helping people advance through the disability application process successfully.
That’s why at Advocator Advantage, we have both disability advocates and disability lawyers (should your claim move to the hearing stage) working on your claim. Working toward obtaining Social Security disability benefits for our clients is the only thing we do, and we have over 15 years of experience helping individuals like you obtain their awards.
Not only do we specialize in SSDI advocacy, but we employ a system that works; this has contributed greatly to our success in acquiring benefits for thousands of our clients over the last 15 years. We will manage your disability claim from the very beginning with the intention of seeking an early award.
Since your disability claim can take anywhere from 3 to 5 months in just the first stage alone (it could take well over two years if you ultimately need to attend a hearing where a disability lawyer becomes necessary), it’s important to start the process in an efficient manner. This means gathering all of the documentation you’ll need and filling out the application correctly, which is usually not something carefully attended to by disability attorneys.
When it comes to receiving disability benefits, months – or even weeks – can make a significant difference. Filing a successful disability claim can be difficult, and many initial SSDI claims are not approved, so it’s important to make sure you have the assistance and representation you need to help your claim progress as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Our ultimate goal is to make sure you and your family are taken care of. Whether you’re applying for the first time or appealing after you’ve been recently denied Social Security disability, our SSDI advocates have the expertise and dedication required to guide you through the process from start to finish.
Not only are we honored by the opportunities we have to enrich lives and walk alongside our clients through each step of an often long and difficult journey, but we are proud to be able to invest in meaningful technology that allows us to better meet the needs of our clients and further streamline the SSDI application process for them.
We also take pride in providing clients with education and resources throughout the claims process. We can offer or refer individuals to several money-saving resources, like our free-of-charge prescription savings card, as well as educate them on the SSDI process in general. There is a lot to learn when you apply for SSDI, and we consider ourselves experts not only on the various stages of the application process but also on any future steps to come and ways to make the process feel less burdensome. Advocator Advantage will be here to support you through every stage of your claim. Our vision is to help as many people as possible, and this does not only mean getting you an SSDI award but also includes providing you with exceptional service and making sure you feel supported and encouraged every step of the way.
Can I receive SSDI benefits for my dependent children?
Yes. Children up to 18, or those who have not graduated from high school, may be entitled to benefits if you become disabled. Generally, dependent children receive 50% of the amount of your monthly SSDI benefit, which is divided equally among all eligible dependents.
Will SSDI benefits also help me obtain health insurance coverage?
Yes. You will become entitled to health insurance through Medicare 24 months after the date that SSA determines that you first became eligible for SSDI cash benefits. When you become eligible for Medicare, Aevo Insurance Services, a subsidiary of Advocator Advantage, can assist you with your health plan selection and enrollment process.
When will my monthly benefits begin?
If your application is approved, your first SSDI monthly benefit will be paid for the sixth full month after the date that SSA determined that you became disabled (Disability Onset Date). For example, if SSA finds that your disability began on June 15, 2021, your first monthly benefit would be paid for the month of December 2021. Social Security benefits are paid in the month following the month for which they come due, so the benefit due for December would actually be paid to you in January.
What is Supplemental Security Income? Should I apply for that too?
Unlike SSDI, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a welfare program. SSI is a Federal income supplement program that is funded not by Social Security taxes but by general tax revenues. The program is designed to help aged, blind, and disabled individuals who have little or no income and provides cash benefits to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. If you have limited income and resources, you should also consider applying for SSI.
I am on a fixed monthly income. Can I get help paying for Medicare?
It’s possible. The Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) program, also known as “Extra Help,” is available to help pay a portion of Part D prescription drug costs, including premiums, copayments, and deductibles, for certain people with low income and minimal assets. Depending on your income and assets, the Extra Help program may provide a full or partial subsidy. Some people are automatically enrolled in the Extra Help program, while others must apply for the subsidy.
How will my benefits be calculated, i.e., how much will I get?
The amount of your monthly benefit is based on your lifetime average earnings covered by Social Security and is reduced if you receive other government benefits, such as workers’ compensation – including Black Lung payments – or public disability benefits.
How much will it cost to have Advocator Advantage help me?
Our fees are statutorily capped by SSA. Generally, we receive a percentage of your retroactive, lump-sum award, up to a maximum amount established by SSA. There are no hidden fees or costs associated with our services. We only earn a fee if we help you obtain an award, so you can be sure that we are working as hard as we can to get your claim approved.
How long will it take to get my first check after I am awarded?
It can take up to 60 days to receive your first check after you have been awarded. Processing time is generally faster at the initial claim and reconsideration levels, while it tends to take longer for clients who are awarded at the hearing level.
SSA can delay the processing of a claim for many different reasons and will not release any benefits until all necessary documentation is in order. This may include a copy of your birth certificate, citizenship papers, representation payee documents, or proof of other public payments such as state disability or workers’ compensation. We will help you provide these documents to SSA in a timely fashion to avoid unnecessary delays in processing your monthly payments
How long will it take for SSA to process my application?
Unfortunately, the process of applying for and being awarded SSDI benefits can be extremely long. Depending on the number of appeals needed to get your case awarded, the process can take anywhere from six months to three or four years.
If I am awarded SSDI benefits, how long will I continue to receive them?
You will continue to receive SSDI benefits as long as you continue to meet SSA’s definition of disability. SSA may find that you are no longer disabled due to medical improvement or if you return to work at a Substantial Gainful Activity level.
You are required to inform Advocator Advantage and/or SSA of changes in your work status or if your health improves. This is necessary to avoid incurring an overpayment to SSA.
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Read MoreAdvocator Advantage can help you better understand and take advantage of the many benefits of Social Security Disability to help maximize your financial well-being during your period of disability.
Even if you started the application process on your own or with a different advocate, we can help.
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