Get Your Check Yet? What SSDI Applicants Need To Know About Payment Of Benefits

If you are trying to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you might want to gain a better understanding of how you may be paid when and if you are approved. Take steps now to become familiar with some fairly recent changes in the way the Social Security Administration (SSA) pays monthly benefits.

You Will Need a Bank Account

If you've worked almost anywhere lately, you know that most employers prefer to use direct deposit. People who got by without a bank account may have had to open an account so that they could receive their pay from employers who required it. The SSA has gotten in on that way of transferring payments too. That means that if you are approved for SSDI payments, you have to have a bank account all set up and ready to go before you can receive a penny from the SSA.

Why Bank Accounts Are Better

The SSA previously sent paper checks to those that qualified for benefits, but there were many problems with that method. Checks mailed to recipients would sometimes get lost in the mail. Mailbox theft was another issue with SSDI mailed checks. In addition, it's a lot less expensive to put the money directly into a bank account as compared to the postage cost, manpower, and cost of materials when sending paper checks.

What To Know About Direct Deposit

If you are not familiar with the way direct deposit works, the funds that would normally be provided via a check every month are now sent directly to your bank account. In most cases, the money is deposited on the same day each month. One clear benefit may be that recipients are paid faster since there is no waiting for the check to arrive in the mailbox.

Getting Turned Down

As you get your bank account set up, it's important to realize that you may need to take a few extra steps before your benefits are approved. Those who deserve benefits get turned down for SSDI help every day so it's important that you don't let that stop you from proceeding. Treat the denial as part of the process and make an appointment to speak to a Social Security lawyer. Lawyers who work with the SSA understand how things work and what the SSA needs to see from recipients. They can help you by reviewing your case and they can appeal the ruling so you can gain benefits.

To learn more, contact a disability attorney.