Social Security Disability Benefits for People Who Worked Overseas

People who work in another country do so for a variety of reasons. Some work abroad to pursue better opportunities for their careers while others simply want a change of environment or pace. However, in the unfortunate event that a U.S. citizen gets injured and becomes disabled while working at a company headquarters in Canada where he has been assigned in the last couple of years, the question of whether or not he is entitled to social security disability (SSD) benefits when he comes home enters the picture.

SSD Eligibility for Individuals Who Worked Abroad

To be eligible for disability insurance, an individual in another country must have worked for a company that paid taxes, also referred to as FICA taxes, to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Self-employed individuals, on the other hand, must have paid self-employment or SECA taxes to the SSA to have SSD coverage. You may also be eligible for SSD benefits if you worked in a country with totalization agreements with the U.S.

The Practicality of Totalization Agreements

Totalization agreements ensure that an employee doesn’t lose social security protection abroad. These agreements are international Social Security agreements between the U.S. and other countries, such as Canada, Germany, France, and Japan, which have similar or comparable Social Security systems. This prevents double Social Security taxation for people who have careers in the U.S. and abroad. This means that an overseas worker covered under the U.S. Social Security system is entitled to all the same disability benefits as a worker who has never been employed abroad. Coverage will depend on the terms of the totalization agreement between the foreign country and the United States.

Source:

U.S. International Social Security Agreements, SSA.gov

Social Security Disability Benefits are Available for Broken Bones

You may think that you can easily obtain Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits for a broken bone since the injury is so obvious, and you’d be wrong. The problem with bone fractures is that you can only qualify for SSDI if you’re likely to be disabled for at least a year. Unfortunately, fractures often heal in less than a year, compelling SS evaluators to deny you initially unless you can provide further proof.

Though most fractures heal without permanent injury, this might cause several complications that can lead to disability. If you’re able to prove this, then you increase your chances at getting approved. Complications that can arise from a broken bone include:

Lesson in Social Security Disability Terms: What is Technical Denial?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) issues a technical denial to an applicant who fails to meet the non-medical requirements of the disability benefit program he or she is applying for. Receiving a technical denial means that your application will not proceed to evaluation for a medical determination.

For Social Security disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, the SSA may issue a ‘technical denial’ based on the following factors:

Review Your Social Security Disability File before Appealing Your Case

It isn’t uncommon for a Social Security Disability claim to be denied on the first go-around. If this happens to you, know that your case isn’t hopeless—you can still appeal the decision on the Social Security Disability benefits that you are entitled to. 

Many people believe that it’s better to file a new SSD application than to appeal an existing claim. This is not the case, because if you simply reapply your claim, it’s likely to be denied again if you don’t make the necessary changes. For this reason  is wiser to review your application, make the needed corrections, and appeal it.

Obtain your file

To begin the appeals process on your SSD claim, you’ll need to request a copy of your file from Social Security. Once you have your file, look at your medical records, Form SSA-831, and Form SSA-4268. Check these forms for errors. Noting any inaccuracies and missing information in a case file is an important step to take in preparing to appeal a denial. 

Reconsideration request

For the SSA to take a second look at your SSD benefits application, you must first submit a letter requesting the SSA to reconsider. Normally, you’ll have 60 days from the day you receive your denial notice to file your request. If you fail to file this request within 60 days, you’ll have to file a new application again. Don’t wait for this to happen, as it will most likely decrease your chance of approval.

You can increase your chances of success even further by hiring a disability lawyer to help you navigate the appeals process for your disability claim.

Sources:

Reviewing Your Social Security Disability File Before an Appeal, disabilitysecrets.com

Tips for Success: Reconsideration Stage, disabilitybenefitscenter.org

Social Security Disability Tips—How to Make Your Application Go Faster

Naturally, you will want the approval of your Social Security disability claim to come as fast as possible. This is especially important for those who have no source of income because of their injury. Applying for Social Security disability benefits can take a long time, and winning these benefits faster is crucial to avoid losing more money. Here are some suggestions on how you can speed up the disability process.

Social Security Disability: How Does the SSA Define a ‘Disability’?

It is said that the first and foremost duty of the government is to afford protection to its citizens. However, such a duty does not only imply protection against crime, social injustices, and other dire threats, but also provides assistance in times of difficulties, particularly in the case of people who are or who become disabled. The Social Security Administration (SSA) and its Social Security Disability programs are geared toward financially assisting people with disabilities in coping with and managing their daily lives.