If you receive a letter from the Social Security Administration that is labeled “Notice of Award,” it means your application for Social Security disability benefits has been approved. But, if you find it difficult to understand the award letter, you should know that this is not unusual.
Social Security award letters can be 20 pages long. They are meant to explain the benefits you qualify for and how to claim them. Few people ever read every word of a Social Security award letter, and fewer still understand all of what they have read. But not responding properly to the information in a Social Security award letter can cost you money in lost benefits.
At Kraft & Associates P.C. in Dallas, Texas, members of our legal team can review and explain your Social Security award letter. Our experienced Dallas Social Security Disability lawyers help qualified individuals seek SSD benefits. We are well-versed in the Social Security Administration’s programs, requirements, and explanations of benefits. If your SSD award is not the full benefit you deserve, we can help you appeal the benefits award and seek the total amount available to you.
Call Kraft & Associates today at (214) 999-9999 for a free review of your SSD claim and awards letter.
What Your Social Security Award Letter Says
If you have worked and paid into the Social Security system but have become disabled by an injury or illness and cannot return to work, you may be eligible to receive disability benefits to make up for your loss of income. A Social Security award letter informs you that your application for disability benefits has been approved, and you are to receive payments.
A Social Security award letter:
- Confirms that you have been approved to receive benefits
- Identifies the amount of your benefit
- States when you will receive your payment each month
- Explains how much you are owed in past-due benefits, if applicable
- States what you must do next to collect benefits
- Tells you when to expect a continuing disability review if you have been awarded SSD benefits.
Your Social Security award letter is an important document you should keep on file. It can be used as proof of income for taxes, loan applications, and other benefits applications or in response to other requirements to disclose your financial resources.
How To Replace a Social Security Awards Letter
If you received but no longer have your Social Security benefits award letter, you can obtain a Benefit Verification Letter or our office can help you get one. The Benefit Verification Letter is sometimes called a budget letter, a benefits letter, a proof of income letter, or a proof of award letter. It includes more details about your benefits and can serve as proof of your income from Social Security.
To get a Benefit Verification Letter, you need to contact the SSA one of three ways:
- Online. If you do not have a Social Security account online, you can establish a “mySocial Security account” for all your dealings with the Social Security Administration. Once you enter the portal, you will see a link to “Your Benefit Verification Letter” prominently displayed on the home page. Click it to go to another page where you can download a .pdf version of the letter.
- Over the phone. Call 800-772-1213. When you hear “How can I help you today?” say “proof of income.” Expect to be asked to prove your identity, such as with your Social Security number or driver’s license number. The SSA will mail your benefit verification letter to the address they have on file within ten business days. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in English and Spanish. Call TTY at 800-325-0778if you have a problem hearing over the phone.
- In-person. You can visit a Social Security Administration office in Dallas to request a copy of your benefit verification letter. You will need to provide proof of identity, such as your Social Security number or driver’s license number.
SSD Appeals – What If You Disagree With Your SSA Award Letter?
It is possible that your SSA award letter will advise you of a benefit that is less than what you expected to receive. Most people who appeal an SSD benefits decision have been denied benefits. But you also have a right to appeal a benefit decision if the amount of benefits is less than expected.
An appeal must be filed within 60 days of the date on your awards letter. Our attorneys can help you submit new medical evidence of your disability and information about your work history. This appeal asks for a different Texas Disability Determination Services examiner than the one who initially reviewed your application to review your claim file and make a decision. There are additional appeals available to you, including an opportunity to explain your claim in person.
A Social Security disability benefits attorney from Kraft & Associates can help you appeal a benefits decision. We can review your original application and help you obtain additional records to strengthen your claim for a second or subsequent review. Many SSD claims are decided wrongly because of technical issues, such as information omitted, incomplete, or recorded incorrectly. We can resolve any of these issues and ensure your submission is complete, error-free, and filed on time. If necessary, we can represent you in additional appeals.
The law firm of Kraft & Associates, P.C., will help you to seek the full SSD benefit available based on your diagnosed disability and employment history. We have worked with disabled workers and their loved ones since 1971 and know how important disability benefit payments are to recipients. Our attorneys are dedicated to providing skilled and compassionate service to those in the Dallas community whose eligibility for SSD benefits has not been fully recognized by federal officials.
Contact Our Dallas SSD Appeals Attorneys Today
If you have received a Notice of Award letter and you have questions about the amount of benefits you have been awarded, the SSD appeals lawyers at Kraft & Associates, P.C., can help you understand the content of the letter and pursue the benefits you are due. Call us at (214) 999-9999 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a member of our legal team. There will be no fee for our services unless we recover disability benefits for you.
