Our Tulsa disability attorneys understand how complicated the Supplement Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) process can be. When filling out paperwork or reading information about benefits, some words may be unfamiliar.
With this in mind, below is a glossary of commonly used terms by the Social Security Administration (SSA) when describing disability benefits.
ALJ, or Administration Law Judge
When you are appealing a benefit decision, you may have a hearing before an ALJ, who can award you benefits.
Alleged Onset of Disability, or Alleged Onset Date
The date you claim your inability to work began used to determine retroactive back pay, which is discussed below.
Appeal, or Disability Claim Appeal
When applying for benefits, you will receive a letter from the SSA explaining its determination of your eligibility. If the agency determines that you are not eligible SSDI, then an appeals process exists that includes hearings before ALJs and an Appeals Council.
Application for Disability Benefits
If you were to receive SSDI, then you must complete and sign an initial application. On the application, the SSA will ask you questions about your functionality as well as your disabilities. It may also require verification or evidence of your condition.
Benefit Verification Letter
A letter that verifies the amount an individual receives each month in benefits, usually sent at the request of a beneficiary.
Claimant, or Applicant
The term used to describe the person seeking Social Security benefits.
Consultative Examination
A medical exam that the SSA may require to process a benefit claim.
COLA, or Cost of Living Adjustment
Social Security recipients may receive a cost-of-living adjustment or raise in benefits based on inflation.
Credits, or Social Security Credits
When you work, you earn credits that then count toward your eligibility for future Social Security benefits, including SSDI.
Decision Notice, or Award Letter or Denial Letter
The letter generated by the SSA informing you of a benefit decision.
Family Maximum
The maximum amount of benefits paid to an entire family on a worker’s record.
FICA Tax, or Federal Insurance Contributions Act Tax
The tax that is withheld from paychecks for funding Social Security and Medicare programs.
Income
Earnings used to determine benefit amounts including:
Listings of Impairments
Many conditions are listed in a manual known as the “Blue Book,” which contains information for about processes through which disability determinations are decided.
Maximum Earnings
The maximum amount of earnings the SSA can count in any calendar year when computing benefits totals.
Number Holder
A wage earner or person who earns Social Security credits.
OASDI, or Old Age Survivors and Disability Insurance
The SSA’s retirement program that is separate from SSDI and SSI—this can be confusing, as the program is often referred to simply as “Social Security.”
Payment Date
The day on which your payments are allotted each month depends on different factors. To view the SSA’s payment schedule, you can click here.
POMS, or Program Operations Manual System
Source of information Social Security employees use to process claims for benefits.
Proofs
Documents submitted by individuals applying for benefits and services, including birth certificates, marriage certificates, W2 forms, tax returns as well as deeds. Most documents must be original copies or certified.
Representative Payee
If someone is unable to handle their own financial affairs, then the SSA may appoint a relative, a friend or an interested party to handle payments.
Retroactive Benefits, or Back Pay
To determine back pay, the SSA uses criteria including the date at which you were disabled, the application date and the waiting period, which is the period that takes place between when you apply.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
These benefits are available to low-income individuals who have not worked or do not have credits. If you are not eligible for SSDI, then this may be an option for you.
Survivors Benefits
Benefits paid to widows, children and parents for people who died after earning sufficient work credits.
For more information and a free evaluation, then call (918) 265-1404 or fill out the case review form today. Our Tulsa SSDI lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we do not collect money unless we succeed in obtaining you benefits. Our attorney fees are regulated by the SSA and come only from the past-due disability benefits we recover on your behalf. All future monthly payments are yours to keep!
We understand that this can be a stressful and confusing time which, is why we pride ourselves on doing everything we can to keep you informed and knowledgeable about your case. Not only do we have an array of video and FAQs, but we also allow you direct access to your dedicated attorney.
Our attorneys are passionate about disability law. Everyone who works at our firm is here because they believe in helping people. We commit to representing clients through every part of the Social Security Disability claims process.
Since 1993, our attorneys have been helping people throughout Oklahoma get the Social Security benefits they deserve. Regardless of where you are in your case, our knowledgeable and experienced attorneys are here to help you obtain what you deserve.
Social Security Disability is a unique area of the law because it is about representing clients going through very difficult times. We help by getting people the benefits they have earned and deserve. Our firm is proud of the fact that disability law is all we do.
