You absolutely can get help with filling out your application for short-term disability benefits. In fact, you almost definitely should seek assistance to ensure you cross all the T’s and dot all the I’s. Incomplete and incorrect paperwork derails more disability claims than any other problem.

Almost Anyone Can Help

Federal and state laws guarantee disability benefit applicants’ right to receive advice and representation while requesting benefits. Family members, friends, caregivers acting on your behalf, and short-term disability attorneys can all collect information, complete forms, submit doctors’ reports and accident reports, and follow up with case workers.

Reasons to Ask for Help

Filing your short-term disability application soon after you become unable to work is important. Administrators for disability programs offered by Ohio Workers’ Compensation, the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System, the State Teachers Retirement System, the School Employees Retirement System, and private insurance companies can take months to decide on an application. The quicker you get your paperwork in, the sooner you can receive the monetary assistance you need to pay bills and support your family.

Of course, doing paperwork is not always possible for an injured or ill person. Even a physical problem that won’t keep you out of work forever can leave you unable for weeks or months to hold a pen, type, or concentrate long enough to process legal forms and navigate bureaucracy. Relying on a caring and committed ally throughout the application process lets you overcome such limitations.

Also, the shear amount of paper an applicant for short-term disability benefits must submit is daunting. Enlisting a helper to ensure each form and supporting document reaches the right desk before deadlines expire makes sense strictly from a workload perspective.

Assistance From an Ohio Short-Term Disability Attorney

Asking a lawyer to help you fill out and file your disability claim application can spare you a great deal of frustration and hardship. An attorney who has helped many other people secure disability benefits will save you from omitting essential information, put a legal expert in your corner should appealing an initial rejection become necessary, and give you access to a network of health care providers and social services built up by the attorney.

A Brief Note on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

A short-term disability is generally defined as an illness or injury that keeps a person out of work for up to six months. When the problem is expected to persist for a year or longer, or to lead to death within a short time, applying for long-term disability benefits makes more sense. SSDI, which is administered by the federal government and funded by paycheck deductions flagged as F.I.CA., is the long-term disability benefits provider for most people. Qualifying for SSDI can significantly affect your ability to draw benefits from a program like workers’ comp.

The disability attorneys in the Columbus, Ohio, offices of Agee Clymer Mitchell and Portman welcome questions about short-term and long-term disability cases. Request a no-cost consultation by calling (800) 678-3318 or completing this online contact form.