Virginia Social Security Disability Lawyers

At Ritchie Law Firm, our Virginia Social Security Disability lawyers have spent over 50 years helping disabled individuals throughout the Commonwealth secure the benefits they deserve. From our offices in Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Winchester, and Staunton, we serve clients across Virginia who are navigating the challenging Social Security Disability process. Our experienced attorneys understand the medical evidence required to prove disability, know how to present compelling cases to administrative law judges, and fight persistently through the appeals process to secure approvals for our clients.

Understanding Social Security Disability Benefits

The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers two primary disability benefit programs designed to provide financial assistance to individuals who cannot work due to disabling medical conditions. Understanding these programs and their requirements is the first step toward securing the benefits you need.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides benefits to individuals who have worked and paid Social Security taxes for a sufficient period and who now have medical conditions that prevent them from working. SSDI is based on your work history and the Social Security taxes you've paid over the years. To qualify, you must have earned enough work credits, typically requiring five to ten years of work depending on your age when you became disabled. Your disabling condition must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. You must be unable to perform substantial gainful activity due to your medical condition.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides benefits to disabled individuals who have limited income and resources, regardless of work history. SSI is a needs-based program designed to help disabled people who haven't worked enough to qualify for SSDI or who have very limited financial resources. To qualify for SSI, you must meet the same disability standard as SSDI, have limited income and resources below program thresholds, and meet other technical requirements regarding citizenship and residency.

Some individuals may qualify for both SSDI and SSI benefits if their SSDI benefit amount is low and they meet SSI's income and resource requirements. The disability standard for both programs is strict. The SSA defines disability as the inability to engage in substantial gainful activity due to a medically determinable physical or mental impairment expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. This is a higher standard than many people realize, and proving you meet it requires comprehensive medical evidence and careful presentation of your case.

Common Disabilities That Qualify for Benefits

Social Security Disability benefits are available for a wide range of medical conditions that prevent individuals from working. The SSA maintains a listing of impairments that describes conditions and criteria that automatically qualify as disabilities, but many other conditions can qualify even if not specifically listed.

Musculoskeletal conditions represent a significant category of qualifying disabilities. These include severe back problems including herniated discs and spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, severe arthritis affecting major joints, conditions requiring joint replacements, fibromyalgia when properly documented, and other conditions causing chronic pain and limited mobility. Mental health conditions qualify many individuals for disability benefits. Depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, and cognitive disorders all can constitute disabling conditions when they significantly limit your ability to function in work settings.

Cardiovascular conditions including heart disease, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and chronic heart failure qualify individuals who experience significant functional limitations. Neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, peripheral neuropathy, and traumatic brain injuries can prevent individuals from maintaining employment. Cancer and related conditions often qualify for benefits, particularly during active treatment and recovery periods when individuals cannot work.

Respiratory conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), severe asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, and other breathing disorders that limit exertional capacity can qualify for disability. Autoimmune disorders such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Crohn's disease cause symptoms that may prevent sustained work activity. Diabetes and its complications, kidney disease requiring dialysis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and numerous other medical conditions can form the basis for successful disability claims.

What matters is not just the diagnosis but how your condition limits your ability to function and work. The SSA evaluates your residual functional capacity—what you can still do despite your impairments. If your medical conditions prevent you from performing even sedentary work on a sustained basis, you may qualify for benefits regardless of your specific diagnosis.

Why Social Security Disability Claims Are Denied

Understanding why so many initial disability applications are denied helps you avoid common pitfalls and build stronger cases. The SSA denies approximately 65-70% of initial applications, but many of these denials are based on issues that experienced attorneys can address.

Insufficient medical evidence represents the most common reason for denials. The SSA requires extensive medical documentation showing the severity of your condition, how it limits your functioning, and that these limitations prevent you from working. Missing medical records, inadequate treatment documentation, gaps in treatment history, and lack of objective medical findings all contribute to denials based on insufficient evidence. Earning too much income disqualifies applicants from disability benefits. If you're working and earning above the substantial gainful activity threshold (which changes annually), the SSA will deny your claim regardless of your medical conditions. Even part-time work can be problematic if earnings exceed these limits.

Failure to follow prescribed treatment can result in denial. If you're not following your doctor's treatment recommendations without good reason, the SSA may conclude that your condition would improve with proper treatment and therefore doesn't constitute a disability. However, legitimate reasons for not following treatment—such as inability to afford medications, treatment side effects, or religious objections—should be explained in your application. Non-compliance with SSA requirements and deadlines causes numerous denials. Missing appointments for consultative examinations, failing to submit requested information by deadlines, and not completing forms properly all lead to denials that might be avoidable with proper guidance.

Technical issues can derail otherwise strong claims. Mistakes on applications, failure to list all medical conditions and symptoms, incomplete work history information, and errors in reporting daily activities can all result in denials. The SSA's determination that your condition will not last 12 months ends many claims. Even serious conditions may be denied if the SSA believes you'll recover within a year. Duration of disability is as important as severity.

Conditions that don't meet listing requirements and don't clearly prevent all work may be denied even when the applicant genuinely cannot maintain employment. The SSA's vocational analysis considers your age, education, work experience, and residual functional capacity to determine whether you can perform other work existing in the national economy. If the SSA concludes you can perform some type of work, even if very limited, your claim may be denied.

Don't let a denial discourage you from pursuing benefits you deserve. Many denials are reversed on appeal with proper representation. Contact Ritchie Law Firm at 540-433-6124 today for a free consultation about your disability claim.

The Social Security Disability Application Process

Navigating the Social Security Disability system involves multiple stages, and understanding this process helps you know what to expect and how to protect your rights at each step.

The initial application is the first formal step in seeking disability benefits. You can apply online through the SSA website, by phone by calling the SSA, or in person at your local Social Security office. The application requires detailed information about your medical conditions, treatments, and providers, your work history for the past 15 years, how your conditions limit your daily activities and functioning, and other personal and financial information depending on which benefits you're seeking. The thoroughness and accuracy of your initial application can significantly impact the outcome, making experienced guidance valuable even at this early stage.

After you submit your application, the SSA reviews it for technical eligibility requirements and then sends your case to the Disability Determination Services (DDS), a state agency that evaluates medical evidence. DDS will request medical records from all providers you listed and may schedule you for a consultative examination with one of their doctors if they need additional medical information. This review process typically takes three to six months, though timelines vary. Most initial applications are denied, but this doesn't mean you don't deserve benefits—it means you need to pursue the appeals process.

If your initial application is denied, you have 60 days to file a request for reconsideration. During reconsideration, a different DDS examiner reviews your case along with any additional evidence you submit. This is your opportunity to provide new medical records, clarify information, and address the reasons for the initial denial. Unfortunately, most reconsideration requests are also denied, but pursuing this step is necessary before you can move to the next level of appeal.

If your reconsideration is denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). This represents your best opportunity to win approval for benefits. At the hearing, you appear before an ALJ who conducts a de novo review of your case, meaning they look at all the evidence fresh rather than simply reviewing the prior denial. You can testify about your conditions and limitations, present updated medical evidence, have medical and vocational experts testify, and have your attorney present your case and question witnesses. Having experienced legal representation at the ALJ hearing stage dramatically improves your chances of approval.

If the ALJ denies your claim, you can appeal to the Appeals Council, which reviews ALJ decisions for errors. The Appeals Council may grant your claim, send it back to the ALJ for another hearing, or deny your appeal. If the Appeals Council denies your appeal, you can file a lawsuit in federal district court, though relatively few cases reach this stage. This multi-level process can take months or even years, making it crucial to have persistent, experienced attorneys advocating for you throughout.

Contact Ritchie Law Firm at 540-433-6124 for help with your Social Security Disability claim at any stage of the process. We offer free consultations and can evaluate where your case stands and how we can help.

The Importance of Medical Evidence

Social Security Disability cases are won or lost based on medical evidence. The quality, completeness, and presentation of medical documentation supporting your disability claim often determine whether you receive approval or denial.

The SSA requires objective medical evidence from acceptable medical sources including licensed physicians, psychologists, podiatrists, optometrists, and other qualified healthcare providers. Self-reported symptoms alone, no matter how severe, are insufficient to establish disability. You need medical records that document your diagnosis, the severity of your condition, clinical findings from examinations and testing, your response to treatment, and your functional limitations.

Comprehensive medical records should include hospital records from any hospitalizations, emergency room visits, surgical reports, diagnostic test results including imaging studies, lab results, and other objective findings, treatment notes from all ongoing care, mental health treatment records and psychological testing results, and statements from your treating physicians about your functional limitations. The consistency and continuity of your medical treatment matters significantly. Large gaps in treatment raise questions about the severity of your condition. If you haven't been able to afford regular medical care, this should be explained and documented in your application.

Residual functional capacity (RFC) assessments are crucial pieces of evidence. Your RFC describes what you can still do despite your impairments—how much you can lift, how long you can sit or stand, your mental limitations, and other functional restrictions. Detailed RFC assessments from your treating physicians carry significant weight with decision-makers. Our experienced attorneys work with you to ensure your medical providers understand what information the SSA needs and to obtain comprehensive RFC assessments that accurately reflect your limitations.

In cases where medical records are incomplete or unclear, medical expert testimony at ALJ hearings can be crucial. Medical experts can review your records, explain your conditions to the judge, and opine on your functional limitations. Similarly, vocational experts testify about whether someone with your limitations and background could perform competitive work. Understanding how to effectively question these experts and challenge unfavorable testimony requires legal knowledge and experience.

Why Legal Representation Matters

While you can pursue Social Security Disability benefits without an attorney, having experienced legal representation dramatically improves your chances of success, particularly at the hearing stage and beyond.

Statistics consistently show that applicants represented by attorneys have significantly higher approval rates than those who represent themselves, particularly at the ALJ hearing level where representation makes the biggest difference. Experienced disability attorneys understand the medical evidence the SSA requires and how to obtain it, know how to present your case effectively to administrative law judges, can cross-examine medical and vocational experts, understand the technical requirements and legal standards that apply, and navigate the complex appeals process efficiently.

At Ritchie Law Firm, our knowledgeable attorneys have helped countless disabled Virginians secure the benefits they deserve. Michael L. Ritchie and Kenneth "KC" Kettler both have extensive experience handling Social Security Disability cases and understand the challenges disabled individuals face. We thoroughly review your medical records and identify gaps that need to be filled. We work with your treating physicians to obtain detailed RFC assessments and other supporting documentation. We prepare you for hearings so you understand what to expect and how to testify effectively. We present compelling cases to ALJs that emphasize the evidence supporting your disability. We persistently pursue appeals when necessary, never giving up on clients who deserve benefits.

Social Security Disability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis regulated by federal law. This means you pay no upfront costs or attorney fees unless we win your case. If we secure benefits for you, our fee is a percentage of your back benefits, capped by federal law at 25% of past-due benefits or a maximum dollar amount set by the SSA (currently $7,200 for cases decided by ALJs). This fee structure makes quality legal representation accessible to everyone regardless of financial circumstances. You have nothing to lose by seeking legal help and everything to gain.

Don't navigate the complex disability system alone. Contact Ritchie Law Firm at 540-433-6124 today for a free consultation about your Social Security Disability claim. We're here to help you secure the benefits you need and deserve.

How Long Does the Process Take?

One of the most frustrating aspects of pursuing Social Security Disability benefits is the lengthy timeline involved. Understanding realistic timeframes helps you prepare for the journey ahead.

Initial applications typically take three to six months for a decision, though this varies by location and case complexity. During this time, the DDS is gathering your medical records and evaluating your claim. If your initial application is denied and you request reconsideration, expect another three to five months for a decision. Again, timelines vary, and some reconsiderations are decided more quickly while others take longer.

The longest wait typically occurs between requesting an ALJ hearing and actually having that hearing. Currently, wait times for ALJ hearings average 12 to 18 months or longer in many locations, though some hearing offices have shorter backlogs while others have longer waits. Once your hearing occurs, the ALJ typically issues a decision within one to three months. If you need to appeal to the Appeals Council, expect another 12 to 18 months or longer. Appeals Council reviews are not quick, and this stage can be particularly frustrating for applicants who have already been waiting years.

From initial application through ALJ hearing decision, the entire process commonly takes two to three years or longer if multiple appeals are necessary. This extended timeline creates enormous hardship for disabled individuals who cannot work and need benefits to survive. Understanding this reality makes it even more important to file your application as soon as you become disabled and to have experienced attorneys working to move your case efficiently through the system.

While we cannot control the SSA's processing times, our experienced attorneys work to move your case along as efficiently as possible and to ensure you're prepared and your case is strong when your hearing date finally arrives. We also help clients understand other potential sources of support during the long wait for benefits.

Serving Virginia's Disabled Community

For more than 50 years, Ritchie Law Firm has served individuals throughout Virginia who are facing serious challenges due to disabilities, injuries, and other hardships. Our offices in Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Winchester, and Staunton position us to represent disabled individuals across the Commonwealth seeking Social Security Disability benefits. We also maintain an office in Martinsburg, West Virginia, extending our reach throughout the region.

We understand the financial and emotional toll that disability takes on individuals and families. We've seen firsthand how disability benefits can provide crucial support during impossibly difficult times. We're committed to helping disabled Virginians navigate the complex SSA system and secure the benefits they need to maintain basic financial stability.

Our attorneys handle Social Security Disability cases with the same dedication, skill, and persistence they bring to all areas of practice. We treat every client with respect and compassion, understanding that you're dealing with serious health problems and financial stress. We remain accessible when you have questions or concerns and keep you informed about your case's progress throughout the lengthy process.

If you're unable to work due to disability and need help securing Social Security benefits, don't wait to seek experienced legal guidance. Contact Ritchie Law Firm at 540-433-6124 today for a free consultation. We'll evaluate your situation honestly, explain your options clearly, and fight persistently to help you secure the benefits you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions About Social Security Disability

How do I know if I qualify for Social Security Disability benefits?

To qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, you must meet several requirements that go beyond simply having a medical condition. First, you must have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment (or combination of impairments) that is expected to last at least 12 continuous months or result in death. Second, your condition must prevent you from performing substantial gainful activity, which means you cannot engage in significant work activity due to your impairments. The SSA will evaluate whether you can perform your past work, and if not, whether you can adjust to other work considering your age, education, and work experience. For SSDI specifically, you also need sufficient work credits earned through paying Social Security taxes, typically requiring five to ten years of work depending on your age when you became disabled. For SSI, you must meet income and resource limits regardless of work history. The disability determination process is complex and considers all your impairments together, not just individual conditions. Many people with serious medical problems who genuinely cannot work still receive initial denials, which is why experienced legal guidance is so valuable. During a free consultation, our knowledgeable attorneys can evaluate your specific medical conditions, work history, and circumstances to provide an honest assessment of whether you likely qualify for benefits and what evidence will be needed to prove your disability claim.

Should I apply for disability benefits myself or hire an attorney?

While you can certainly apply for Social Security Disability benefits without an attorney, having experienced legal representation significantly improves your chances of approval, particularly if your initial application is denied and you need to pursue appeals. For initial applications, some people choose to apply on their own, and this can work if your case is straightforward and you have extensive, well-documented medical evidence clearly showing you cannot work. However, even at the initial stage, attorney guidance helps ensure your application is complete, accurate, and presents your case effectively. Where legal representation makes the biggest difference is at the hearing stage. Statistics consistently show that applicants represented by attorneys have much higher approval rates at ALJ hearings than those representing themselves. Attorneys understand what medical evidence is needed, how to obtain supportive documentation from your doctors, how to prepare you to testify effectively, how to cross-examine medical and vocational experts, and how to present compelling arguments to administrative law judges. The contingency fee structure means you pay nothing unless you win, making legal representation accessible regardless of your financial situation. Given the complexity of the disability system, the high initial denial rates, and the dramatically better outcomes with representation, most people benefit significantly from having experienced attorneys handling their claims. Contact Ritchie Law Firm at 540-433-6124 for a free consultation to discuss whether legal representation makes sense for your specific situation.

What should I do if my initial application is denied?

If your initial Social Security Disability application is denied, don't give up—this is unfortunately very common, with approximately 65-70% of initial applications being denied. The most important thing is to file your appeal within 60 days of receiving the denial notice. Missing this deadline can require you to start the entire process over with a new application. The first level of appeal is reconsideration, where a different examiner at DDS reviews your case along with any new evidence you submit. Use this opportunity to provide updated medical records, obtain additional supporting documentation from your doctors, and address the specific reasons cited for the initial denial. While most reconsideration requests are also denied, pursuing this step is necessary before you can move to the hearing stage. If your reconsideration is denied, request a hearing before an administrative law judge—this is your best opportunity to win approval. ALJ hearings have much higher approval rates than initial applications or reconsiderations, particularly for applicants with attorney representation. This is when having experienced legal counsel makes the biggest difference in outcomes. Throughout the appeals process, continue receiving regular medical treatment and document how your conditions limit your functioning. Keep records of all medical appointments, treatments, and how your conditions affect your daily activities. If you receive a denial at any stage, contact Ritchie Law Firm immediately at 540-433-6124. We offer free consultations and can evaluate your case, explain why it may have been denied, and discuss the best strategy for pursuing a successful appeal.

Can I work at all while applying for or receiving disability benefits?

The short answer is that working while applying for disability benefits is complicated and can jeopardize your claim. The SSA defines disability as the inability to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA), which means earning above a certain monthly threshold. For 2024, the SGA limit is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals ($2,590 for blind individuals), though these amounts change annually. If you're working and earning above the SGA limit, the SSA will generally deny your disability claim regardless of your medical conditions, because earning above this threshold demonstrates you can engage in substantial gainful activity. Even earnings below the SGA limit can be problematic because the SSA may conclude that if you can work part-time, you could work full-time with proper effort. However, circumstances vary, and some limited work may be possible. The SSA has a trial work period program for people already receiving benefits, allowing them to test their ability to work for nine months without losing benefits regardless of earnings. After the trial work period, you can continue receiving benefits for months when earnings fall below the SGA limit. Unsuccessful work attempts—situations where you tried to work but had to stop within six months due to your impairments—generally don't count against you if properly documented. Before making any decisions about working while pursuing disability benefits, you should consult with experienced Social Security Disability attorneys who can advise you about the specific impact on your case. Call Ritchie Law Firm at 540-433-6124 to discuss your situation.

How much will I receive in disability benefits if approved?

The amount of disability benefits you receive depends on which program you qualify for and, for SSDI, your work history and earnings record. For Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), your benefit amount is based on your average lifetime earnings before you became disabled. The SSA calculates this using your earnings record and determines your primary insurance amount (PIA), which is what you'll receive monthly if approved. SSDI benefit amounts vary widely depending on earnings history. As of 2024, the average SSDI benefit is approximately $1,500 per month, though individual amounts can be significantly higher or lower. You can get an estimate of your potential SSDI benefit by creating an account on the SSA website and reviewing your Social Security statement. For Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the benefit amount is standardized, though it varies slightly by state and individual circumstances. As of 2024, the maximum federal SSI benefit for an individual is $943 per month, with some states providing additional supplementation. If you live in someone else's household or have other income, your SSI benefit may be reduced. Some individuals qualify for both SSDI and SSI, receiving their SSDI benefit plus enough SSI to bring their total monthly income up to the SSI maximum if their SSDI amount is low. Additionally, after receiving SSDI for 24 months, you become eligible for Medicare regardless of age. SSI recipients are generally eligible for Medicaid immediately upon approval. While disability benefit amounts may not seem like much, they provide crucial support for individuals who cannot work, and they continue for as long as you remain disabled. During your free consultation, we can help you understand what benefit amounts you might expect based on your work history and circumstances.

What is the difference between SSDI and SSI?

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are both administered by the Social Security Administration, but they're different programs with different eligibility requirements. SSDI is an insurance program based on your work history. You qualify for SSDI if you've worked and paid Social Security taxes for a sufficient period (generally five to ten years, depending on your age when you became disabled) and you meet the SSA's definition of disability. SSDI benefits are not need-based—your income and resources don't matter. Your benefit amount is calculated based on your lifetime earnings, and benefits can extend to certain family members including dependent children and, in some cases, spouses. After receiving SSDI for 24 months, you become eligible for Medicare. SSI, in contrast, is a needs-based program for disabled individuals with very limited income and resources, regardless of work history. You qualify for SSI if you meet the disability standard and have income and resources below program limits. SSI benefit amounts are standardized (with some state variation), and recipients are generally immediately eligible for Medicaid. SSI considers household composition and other income sources when calculating your benefit amount. Some people qualify for both programs—this is called "concurrent benefits." If your SSDI benefit amount is relatively low and you meet SSI's income and resource requirements, you may receive both your SSDI benefit and enough SSI to bring your total monthly income up to the SSI maximum. The disability standard is the same for both programs, but the non-medical eligibility requirements differ significantly. Understanding which program(s) you qualify for and how they work can be confusing. Our experienced attorneys can evaluate your situation and explain which benefits you should pursue based on your work history, income, resources, and medical conditions.

Can I receive disability benefits for mental health conditions?

Yes, absolutely. Mental health conditions qualify for Social Security Disability benefits just as physical conditions do, and many individuals receive disability based on psychiatric impairments. The SSA recognizes numerous mental disorders as potentially disabling including depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia and psychotic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, and many other conditions. What matters is not just your diagnosis but how your mental health condition affects your ability to function in work settings. The SSA evaluates your mental impairments based on several functional areas including your ability to understand, remember, and apply information; interact with others appropriately; concentrate, persist, and maintain pace in work tasks; and adapt and manage yourself. If your mental health conditions cause marked limitations in one or more of these areas, or moderate limitations in several areas, you may qualify for disability benefits. Proving mental health disability requires comprehensive medical evidence including treatment records from psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health providers; mental status examinations documenting your symptoms and functioning; psychological testing results when available; medication records showing what treatments you've tried; and detailed descriptions of how your conditions affect your daily activities and ability to work. Mental health disabilities are sometimes harder to prove than physical disabilities because symptoms are less visible and more subjective, making thorough documentation crucial. Insurance companies and SSA examiners sometimes wrongly minimize mental health conditions, but these impairments are just as real and disabling as physical conditions. Our experienced attorneys understand how to present mental health disability cases effectively and have successfully helped many clients with psychiatric conditions secure the benefits they deserve. If you're unable to work due to mental health problems, contact us at 540-433-6124 for a free consultation.

What happens if I'm approved for disability benefits?

If you're approved for Social Security Disability benefits, several things happen. First, you'll receive a written notice explaining that you've been approved, your monthly benefit amount, when your benefits will begin, and other important information. For SSDI, you'll receive back benefits covering the period from when you became disabled until your approval, minus a five-month waiting period. These back benefits are typically paid in a lump sum, and if you had attorney representation, your attorney's fee (capped at 25% of back benefits or the statutory maximum, whichever is less) will be deducted from this amount. Your ongoing monthly benefits will then begin and continue for as long as you remain disabled. For SSI, back benefits are calculated from the date of your application, and you'll begin receiving monthly SSI payments going forward. After receiving SSDI for 24 months, you'll become eligible for Medicare, which provides crucial health insurance coverage. SSI recipients are generally eligible for Medicaid immediately, which provides healthcare coverage. Once receiving benefits, you're responsible for reporting certain changes to the SSA including any work activity and earnings, changes in living arrangements (for SSI), changes in marital status, and improvements in your medical condition. The SSA will periodically review your case through continuing disability reviews to determine if you're still disabled. The frequency of these reviews depends on whether the SSA expects your condition to improve. If the SSA determines during a review that you're no longer disabled, you'll receive notice and have the right to appeal. You may also be eligible to participate in work incentive programs like trial work periods that allow you to test your ability to work without immediately losing benefits. Getting approved for disability benefits provides crucial financial support and healthcare coverage, offering stability during an incredibly difficult time. If you're approved, we'll explain everything you need to know about maintaining your benefits and protecting your rights going forward.