Applying for long term disability benefits in the US is not always as simple as it might seem. You may believe that you are well entitled to benefits, but at the end of it all it is the courts which decide who the benefit schemes are awarded to. This doesn't mean to say that you are part of a 'competition', but that you are trying to attain something which thousands of other US citizens are trying to attain as well, and often there simply isn't enough to go around.

This means you need to stay vigilant when applying for long term disability benefits and jump at every chance you can. After sending the preliminary long term disability forms off to the Government organizations that deal with it, you often have to wait weeks and sometimes months for a reply. After such a time it's easy to get caught up in other aspects of life, but the minute you receive a reply you should take immediate action. The phrase 'the early bird gets the worm' is particularly relevant in these kinds of situations.

Once you do receive confirmation of your application or instructions to go further you should do so immediately. Don't, however, assume that you need to do this alone. Disability attorneys will often assist you for free or on a no-win-no-fee basis so you only pay if you do receive benefits. It's well worth doing some research and asking your local authority about disability lawyers or attorneys and how the may be able to speed up or simply assist you in the process.

At this stage it's important to remember that a huge number of applicants for long term disability benefits are actually turned down. While this can be a great disappointment you should also remember that the majority of these people appeal the decision and some go on to be awarded long term disability benefits after all. The fact is that disability benefits are sought after by people with even the most trivial of long term disabilities and the process of weeding out these people from the ones who actually need it can, and does, take time. If you do find yourself in the position where you have to appeal this is where a disability attorney should come in. You will have to have a hearing which may not come for some months, but with your attorney you should spend the time preparing a defense that is relevant, convincing and not rambling so that the jury or government organization can make a quick and informed decision.

If you are thinking of applying for long term disability benefits then your first and urgent action should be to get hold of an application form to fill out and send. Putting off this stage in the process could mean you are waiting up to a year to hear your decision, so get it done as soon as possible. It's also a good idea to visit your local council or government organization that deals with benefits for advice on how to carry out the application process most efficiently.

Stan Tian

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