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Top 5 Myths About Disability Benefits In Florida Debunked

  • By: Claudeth Henry, Esq.
FACTS vs MYTHS on money, for Florida disability benefits debunked

In this article, you will discover:

  • Whether every first-time SSDI claim is denied.
  • Whether you should delay applying for disability to see if your condition improves.
  • If older applicants have a greater chance of getting approved for SSDI than younger ones.

Myth #1: Most First-Time Social Security Disability Claims In Florida Are Approved

While not every first-time claim is rejected, the majority of first-time claims do get denied. It generally depends on the nature of the disability and your age. Various factors contribute to the determination, but overall, it seems that a majority of first-time claimants get denied.

Myth #2: I Should Delay Applying For Florida Disability Benefits To See How My Condition Progresses

If you are disabled and cannot perform the duties of your occupation, you should first discuss your medical condition and physical limitations with your doctor. If your doctor suggests you go on disability, there’s no point in waiting for your condition to get progressively worse.

If you have a newly diagnosed condition, it may improve over time. You should still go through the recommended treatment modalities and the treatment plan to see whether you recover. Apart from this scenario, there’s no benefit to waiting to apply for Social Security disability, as it can take a very long time for a determination to be made.

Currently, the average wait time in Florida for an initial determination is over a year. By that time, you’d know whether your condition had progressed. You can always withdraw your claim if you get better, but delaying the claim to see if you get better would not be beneficial.

Myth #3: Applying For SSDI In Florida Will Affect My Future Job Opportunities

No, an employer will not ask you about your SSDI application. You can feel free to apply for any number of jobs and job categories in the future without worrying about any impact from applying for SSDI.

Myth #4: Age Has No Impact On Getting Approved For Social Security Disability

Part of the Social Security disability process includes your age, and there are different factors SSA considers based on your age. The closer you are to retirement age, it’s easier but not guaranteed to get disability benefits versus a younger individual with the same medical condition.

Myth #5: I Have To Be Completely Bedridden To Win A Disability Claim

This is untrue, as not all disabilities are apparent. You can’t necessarily look at an individual and see depression, and there are silent medical conditions. You may have an autoimmune disease and not appear to be disabled, but this condition can still significantly impact your ability to function.

Still Have Questions? Ready To Get Started?

For more information on Florida disability benefit myths and truths, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (352) 577-7746 today.