Disability benefits, explained plainly.
Twenty short guides to the questions people actually ask us, from working out which programme is yours to what happens on the day of a hearing. No jargon, no assumed knowledge, and nothing you need to read in order.
- The basics
SSDI, SSI, VA Disability, Workers' Comp: What's the Difference, and Which One Is Mine?
A plain-language guide to the four main disability benefit programs, who each one is for, and why you might qualify for more than one.
- Getting started
Am I Actually Eligible to Apply?
More people are eligible for disability benefits than think they are. A simple way to work out whether it's worth applying.
- After you apply
I Just Applied. What Happens Now?
What actually happens to your application once you submit it, how long the quiet stretch lasts, and what to do while you wait.
- If you're denied
I Was Denied. Does That Mean I Have No Chance?
A denial is not the end of your claim. Why denials happen, and the one thing that matters most in the days right after one.
- The appeal
What Is an Appeal, and How Do I Actually File One?
The four stages of a disability appeal explained, and why the deadline matters more than anything else.
- Getting help
Do I Really Need Someone to Help Me With This?
You are allowed to handle a claim alone. What an attorney actually does, and how the fees work for Social Security claims.
- Proving your case
What Kind of Medical Proof Do I Actually Need?
The evidence that wins disability claims, and a simple test for whether your file tells the same story your body is living.
- Telling your story
What Is a Function Report, and Why Does It Matter So Much?
The Function Report is one of the only places a decision maker hears directly from you. How to answer it well.
- Your work history
Why Do the Small Details of My Old Jobs Matter So Much?
Two people with the same job title can have very different days. Why the details of your past work decide your claim.
- The hearing
What Actually Happens at a Disability Hearing?
A disability hearing is calmer and more human than most people expect. Here is what the day actually looks like.
- The hearing
What Kinds of Questions Will I Be Asked?
The questions that come up at almost every disability hearing, and a simple way to answer them well.
- The hearing
Who Is the “Vocational Expert,” and Why Are They at My Disability Hearing?
The vocational expert answers one question: is there any job left you could still do? How that exchange actually works.
- The timeline
How Long Is This Whole Thing Going to Take?
Realistic timelines for each stage of a disability claim, from the first decision through to a hearing result.
- Good news
What Happens If I Win My Case?
Award letters, back pay, and when health coverage begins. What arrives after a disability claim is approved.
- Partial wins
I Was Only Partially Approved. What Does That Actually Mean?
A partial approval can be appealed on the part you disagree with, while keeping what you have already won.
- If it happens again
What If I Get Denied Again, Even After a Hearing?
The paths that remain after a second denial, including Appeals Council review, federal court, and starting a stronger claim.
- VA claims
How Is a VA Disability Claim Different From SSDI or SSI?
VA ratings, C&P exams, and service connection, and how a VA rating can strengthen a Social Security claim.
- Workers' comp
I Was Hurt at Work. How Does Workers' Comp Fit Into All This?
Workers' comp runs on state rules and short deadlines. What to do first, and how it interacts with SSDI.
- Multiple benefits
Can I Get More Than One Type of Benefit at the Same Time?
Which disability benefits stack, which ones offset each other, and why it is worth asking rather than guessing.
- Take control
What Can I Actually Do to Help My Own Case?
Five things within your control, starting today, that genuinely strengthen a disability claim.
Not sure where you stand?
The eligibility check takes about two minutes and costs nothing. You will get a real answer about which programmes may be open to you.
See if you qualify