If you are unable to work due to a disability, you may be considering filing for Social Security disability benefits. These benefits help many Americans support themselves and their families when they are unable to work. If you believe you qualify for Social Security benefits and want to apply, check out these three facts first.

Your Claim Will Likely Get Denied Without Help

A lot of people file for benefits, making it difficult for employees to take a lot of time with each initial claim. Therefore, if you are missing information or have incorrect information, your claim is likely to be denied. They simply don't have time to track down the missing information via you or your doctor. Unfortunately, it's easy to forget to include a few doctor notes or have incorrect information. In fact, about 70 percent of disability claims are initially denied, and many of them are only denied because of missing or incorrect information.

A Social Security disability attorney will know what information is necessary to best have your claim approved the first time. If you have already submitted a claim and it has been denied, don't file a new one. The best next step is to file an appeal. Otherwise, your claim may likely be denied again. If you are filing an appeal, it is even more essential you find an attorney.

It Only Covers Long-Term Disability

There are two types of disability: long-term and short-term. To qualify for long-term, a disability must last at least a year. If you have a short-term disability, you'll need to have short-term disability through your employer or with a personal policy because Social Security disability benefits only cover long-term disability.

You do not, however, have to wait a full year before you can file benefits. Even if your disability is new, and you only recently stopped working, you can file for benefits and get approved. As long as you can prove the disability will last more than a year, your claim may be approved. If your disability is new, hire an attorney to help you choose when to file. If you file too soon, there may not be enough medical proof to show your disability will be long term.

You Can Earn Some Money While Receiving Benefits

In most cases, people receiving disability benefits don't earn any money. This is usually because they can't work. However, you are actually allowed to make a certain amount of money each month without losing your benefits. Depending on how much you earn, however, your benefits will be reduced to repay some of the disability. If you fail to report this money, or make more than the allowed amount, you will likely lose your benefits.

The advantage to being able to earn some money is not financial. Instead, it allows recipients (who can) to earn some money on their own or see if they can get back into the work force. They can do this without the fear of losing their benefits and having to start the entire process over again. If you are planning on earning some money while receiving benefits, speak with your attorney, so you aren't working too many hours or accidently earning too much money and end up losing your benefits or having your claim denied.

Social Security disability benefits help many Americans who can't work because of a long-term disability. If you are having a hard time working or if you had to stop working completely, you may qualify for benefits. Get started today by contacting a Social Security disability attorney in your area today and ask for a consultation regarding your case.