Disability in Missouri

It is important that if you are suffering from a disability in Missouri that you have certain rights that may be afforded to you under the Americans with Disabilities Act that was put into law in 1990. This act was written to make sure that no one with a disability who lived in America would be discriminated against or denied their basic human rights because they suffered from a physical or mental handicap that could affect or limit major life activities. This includes a range of things like right to employment and right to not be discriminated against for housing and other services. If you have had any problems in these areas and you have a disability in Missouri, then you should contact the Governor's Council on Disability to make sure that your rights are upheld.

Filing for Assistance

As a person who has a disability in Missouri you are also entitled to assistance from the Social Security Administration (SSA) for assistance if you cannot work enough to earn a livable wage for at least a year after the point of your disability. Once you have filled out the paperwork and turned it in, you will have to wait while a separate state entity reviews the claim and decides whether or not you are eligible to receive such benefits. Sometimes this process can take a long time, so you should be prepared to wait for a decision. During this time it is important that you follow your doctor's orders and take all of you recommended prescriptions. It's also a good idea to avoid working at all. Even if you are just doing a couple of odd jobs here and there to try and get by, the SSA could determine that you are capable of working and not eligible for benefits.

Applying for Reconsideration

If your claim is denied on the first application, do not worry too much at this point. As in many other states, those who are applying for disability in Missouri have the opportunity to resubmit their claim to be considered again. Sometimes this is necessary to fix errors in the first application or to update the status of a disability on a claim. If you do need to reapply, then you might consider seeking help from a professional attorney who deals primarily in disability claims in the state.