Getting Social Security disability benefits when you are unable to work can be challenging. Last year, more than 2 million people applied for Social Security disability benefits. Approximately two-thirds of those applications were denied. In most cases, the applicants failed to prove that they have a disability that prevents them from working. Here are some steps you can take that may improve your application.

Get Informed

The first thing you need to find out is whether your health problem qualifies you for Social Security disability benefits. Generally, eligibility depends on if you have a health problem that is expected to prevent you from working in your current line of work (or any other line of work that you have been in over the past 15 years) for at least a year or that the health problem may be terminal.

There is no such thing as a partial disability benefit. If you are fit enough to work part-time, your application will likely be denied. If you are working your application will be denied.

Your skill set and age are factors too. Your application may be denied if your work history suggests that you have the skills to perform a less physically demanding job that your disability would not prevent you from doing.

To help you determine if your disability may prevent you from working, visit SSA.gov/planners/disability/qualify.html and go through the five questions Social Security uses to disability eligibility.

How to Apply

If you believe you have a claim, your next step is to gather up your personal, financial and medical information so you can be prepared and organized for the application process.

You can apply either online at SSA.gov/applyfordisability or call 800-772-1213 to make an appointment to apply at your local Social Security office, or to set up an appointment for someone to take your claim over the phone.

The whole process lasts about an hour. If you schedule an appointment, a "Disability Starter Kit" will be mailed to you, it should help you get ready for your interview. If you apply online, the kit is available for download at SSA.gov/disability/disability_starter_kits.htm.

It takes three to five months from the initial application to receive either an award or denial of benefits. The only exception is if you have a chronic illness that qualifies you for a "compassionate allowance" (see SSA.gov/compassionateallowances), which fast tracks cases within weeks.

If Social Security denies your initial application, you can appeal the decision. Roughly half of all cases that go the appeals process will receive benefits, but there is a large backlog for appeals of approximately 800,000 people currently waiting for a hearing. It may take 12 to 24 months for an individual to get an appeals hearing.

Get Help

You can hire a representative to help you with your Social Security disability claim. By law, representatives can charge a maximum of 25% of your past-due benefits, up to a maximum of $6,000, if they win your case.

It may be worthwhile to hire someone at the start of the application process if your disability is something difficult to prove, such as chronic pain. If, however, your disability is obvious, you may not need to work with representative. If it is necessary, you can always hire a representative at a later date.

To find a representative, check with the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR.org, 845-682-1881) or National Association of Disability Representatives (NADR.org, 800-747-6131). Or, if you're low-income, contact the Legal Services Corporation (LSC.gov/find-legal-aid) for free assistance.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living" book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization's official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

What can you tell me about geriatrics doctors? My father, who is 82, takes eight different prescription drugs for different health issues but has not been feeling like himself lately. I am wondering if he would benefit by seeing a geriatrician in place of his regular primary care physician.

If your dad is dealing with a variety of health problems and is taking multiple medications, a visit to a geriatrician may be just the antidote to help get him back on track. Here is a rundown of the different types of health conditions geriatricians treat and some tips to help you locate one in his area.

Geriatrics Doctors

For starters, it is important to know that geriatricians are family practice or internal medicine physicians that have had additional specialized training to manage the unique and oftentimes multiple health concerns of older adults. Just as a pediatrician specializes in caring for children, a geriatrician is trained to provide care for seniors – usually those over age 75.

While most doctors are trained to focus on a person's particular illness or disease, geriatricians are trained to take a holistic view of the circumstances that can affect elderly patients, not just their patient's physical symptoms. Geriatricians are trained to coordinate treatments among a patient's specialist. They often work with a team of other health care professionals like geriatric-trained nurses, rehabilitation therapists, nutritionists, social workers and psychiatrists to provide care.

Patients who may benefit from seeing a geriatrician are elderly seniors with multiple health and age-related problems. Some of these problems may be diagnosed illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, confusion, memory problems, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, diabetes, hypertension, depression, respiratory problems, osteoporosis, arthritis and chronic pain. Other difficulties may include mobility issues, incontinence, vision impairment, hearing impairment, trouble with balance or tendency to fall.

Geriatricians are also particularly adept at tackling problems with medication. Because many seniors, like your dad, take multiple medications at the same time for various health conditions, and because aging bodies often absorb and metabolize drugs differently than younger adults, unique side effects and drug interactions are not uncommon. A geriatrician will evaluate and monitor your dad's medications to be sure they are not affecting him in a harmful way.

Geriatricians can also help patients and their families determine their long-term care needs. Some physicians provide opinions on how long patients can remain in their own homes safely without assistance and what type of services may be necessary when they do need some extra help.

Find a Geriatrician

Unfortunately, there is a shortage of geriatricians in the U.S. Depending on where you live, finding one may be challenging. Not all seniors need to see a geriatrician. Seniors with fewer health problems may be just fine seeing their primary care physician.

To locate a geriatrician in your area, use Medicare's online physician search tool. Just go to Medicare.gov/physiciancompare and type in your ZIP code, or city and state in the "Enter your location box" and then type in "geriatric medicine" in the Search box. Alternatively, you can get this information by calling Medicare at 800-633-4227. The American Geriatrics Society also has a geriatrician finder tool on their website at HealthInAging.org.

Keep in mind that locating a geriatrician does not guarantee your dad will be accepted as a new patient. Many doctors already have a full patient roster and cannot accept any new patients. You will need to call the individual doctor's office to find out.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living" book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization's official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

Where can I find out about alternative transportation options for my elderly mother? She needs to give up driving, but before she does, we need to figure out how she will get around.

Alternative transportation services vary widely by community. The services available to your mom will depend on where she lives.

Transportation Options

While most urban areas offer seniors a variety of transportation services, the options may be few for those living in the suburbs, small towns and rural areas. Alternative transportation is an essential link helping seniors who no longer drive get to their doctor's appointments, stores, social activities and more.

Here is a rundown of possible solutions that can help your mom get around, along with some resources to help you locate them. These solutions will vary depending on where she lives.

Family and friends: This is by far the most often used and favorite option among seniors. Make a list of all possible candidates your mom can call on, along with their availability and contact information.

Local transportation programs: These are usually sponsored by nonprofit organizations that serve seniors. These services may charge a nominal fee or accept donations. They often operate with the help of volunteer drivers.

Also check out the Independent Transportation Network, which is a national nonprofit that has 27 affiliate transportation programs in 23 states. With this program, seniors pay membership dues and fees based on mileage. Most programs will let your mom donate her car in return for credits toward future rides.

Demand response services: Often referred to as "dial-a-ride" or "elderly and disabled transportation service," these are typically government-funded programs that provide door-to-door transportation services by appointment and usually charge a small fee or donation on a per ride basis. Many use vans and offer accessible services for riders with special needs.

Taxi or car service: These private services offer flexible scheduling, but they can be expensive. However, they may be cheaper than owning a car. Some taxi or car services may be willing to set up accounts that allow other family members to pay for services and some may offer senior discounts. Be sure to ask.

Another option to look into is a ride-sharing service. Ride-sharing connects people with cars to people who need rides. The larger ride-sharing companies offer services in dozens of cities across the U.S. and must be accessed via an application on a smart phone.

Private program services: Some hospitals, health clinics, senior centers, adult day centers, malls or other businesses may offer transportation for program participants or customers. Additionally, some nonmedical home-care agencies that bill themselves as providing companionship and running errands or doing chores may also provide transportation.

Mass transit: Public transportation, (buses, trains, subways, etc.) where available, can also be an affordable option and may offer seniors reduced rates.

Hire someone: If your mom lives in an area where there are limited options or no transportation services available, another alternative may be to pay someone in the community to drive her. Consider hiring a neighbor, retiree or student that has a flexible schedule and would not mind making a few extra bucks.

Where to Look

To find out what transportation services are available in your mom's community, contact the Rides in Sight national toll-free call center at 855-607-4337 and the Eldercare Locator (800-677-1116), which will direct you to her area agency.

You can contact local senior centers, places of worship and retirement communities for other possible options. Additionally, you may want to check with the state department of transportation at www.fhwa.dot.gov/webstate.htm and the American Public Transportation Association at publictransportation.org.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living" book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization's official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

If you are the kind of pet owner who would do anything for your furry family, including spending thousands of dollars on medical care, pet insurance is an option to consider. Here is what you should know.

Rising Vet Costs

The cost of owning a pet has gone up in recent years. New technologies make it possible for pets to undergo sophisticated medical treatments for many life-threatening diseases, but these treatments are not cheap. This is why pet insurance has become more popular in recent years. More than two million pets are currently insured in the U.S. and Canada, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association.

How Pet Plans Work

Pet insurance is similar to human health insurance. Pet policies typically come with premiums, deductibles, co-payments and caps that limit how much will be paid out annually. Unlike regular health insurance, with pet insurance you usually have to pay the vet bills in full then wait for reimbursement from the insurer.

Pet policies vary greatly from basic plans that cover only accidents and illnesses, to comprehensive policies that provide complete nose-to-tail protection including annual checkups, vaccinations, spaying/neutering and death benefits. You should also be aware that pet policies typically do not cover pre-existing conditions, and premiums are generally lower when your pet is young and healthy.

Costs for pet insurance will also vary by insurer and policy, but premiums typically depend on factors like the cost of veterinary care where you live and the age and breed of the pet. The average annual premium for basic accident and illness coverage was $516 per pet in 2017, while the average claim paid was $278, according to the pet health insurance association.

If you are still working, one way to pay lower premiums, and possibly get broader coverage, is to buy pet insurance through your employer, if available. According to the Society for Human Resource Management, 11% of employers in the U.S. offer pet health insurance benefits. These plans are usually discounted.

Alternative Option

Many animal advocates suggest forgoing pet insurance. They recommend putting the money you would have spent on premiums into a dedicated savings account to pay for vet care as needed. Depending on the policy, pet insurance can cost $1,500 to $6,000 over the life of an average pet. Most pet owners will never spend that much for treatment.

Ways to Save

If you cannot afford pet insurance or choose not to buy it, there are other ways you can save. For example, many local animal shelters offer free or low-cost spaying and neutering programs and vaccinations. Some shelters work with local vets who are willing to provide care at reduced prices for low-income and senior pet owners.

There are also a number of organizations that provide financial assistance to pet owners in need. To locate these programs, visit the Humane Society's website.

To save on pet medications, get a prescription from your vet (ask for generic if possible) and shop around for the best price. Medicine purchased at the vet's office is usually more expensive than what you can get from a regular pharmacy or online.

Most pharmacies fill prescriptions for pets inexpensively and many offer a pet discount savings program too. You can also save by shopping online at a verified pharmacy.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

My 70-year-old mother has become somewhat of a hoarder. Since my father died a few years ago, her house is so disorganized and messy with stuff that it is becoming a hazard. What should I do to help her?

Clutter addiction is a problem that affects up to 5% of Americans, many of whom are seniors. The problems can range anywhere from moderate messiness to severe hoarding, which may be related to a mental health condition such as obsessive-compulsive disorder. Here are some things you should know along with some tips and resources that can help your mom.

Why People Hoard

Many people hoard because they have an extreme sentimental attachment to their possessions, or they believe they might need their items at a later date. Hoarding can also be a sign that an older person is depressed or showing early signs of dementia.

Common problems for seniors who live amongst excessive clutter include tripping, falling and breaking a bone; overlooking bills; missing medications that are hidden in the clutter; suffering from the environmental effects of mold, mildew and dust; and even living among insects and rodents.

What to Do

If you find that your mom has a moderate clutter problem, there are a number of things you can do to help. Start by having a talk with her, respectfully expressing your concern for her health and safety, and offering your assistance to help declutter.

Most professional organizers recommend decluttering in small steps. If your mom accepts your offer to help, start by taking one room at a time or even a portion of a room at a time. This will help prevent your mom from getting overwhelmed.

Before you start, designate three piles or boxes for your mom's things – one pile is for items she wants to keep and put away, another is the donate pile and the last is the throw away pile.

You and your mom will need to determine which pile each item belongs in as you work. If your mom struggles with sentimental items that she never uses, like her husband's old tools or her mother's china for example, suggest she keep only one item for memory sake and donate the rest or give to family members who will use them. You will also need to help her set up a system for organizing the kept items.

Find Help

If you need some help with the decluttering and organizing, consider hiring a professional organizer who can come to your mom's home to help you prioritize, organize and remove the clutter. The nonprofit National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals has a directory on its website to help you locate a professional in your area.

If your mom has a more serious hoarding problem (if her daily functioning is impaired or if she is having financial difficulties, health problems, or other issues because of her hoarding) you should seek professional help. A doctor may prescribe antidepressants or therapy to help address control issues, anxiety, depression and other feelings that may underlie the hoarding tendencies to make it easier for her to confront her disorder.

To learn more and find professional help see the International OCD Foundation which provides a hoarding center on their website, which offers information, resources, treatments, self-help groups and more.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living" book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization's official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

This is a Medicare issue that confuses many people. Yes, Medicare does cover emergency ambulance services. In limited cases, non-emergency ambulance services may be covered too, but only when they are deemed medically necessary and reasonable. What does that mean?

First, it means that your medical condition must be serious enough that you need an ambulance to transport you safely to a hospital or other facility where you receive care that Medicare covers. If a car or taxi could transport you without endangering your health, Medicare will not cover a ride in the ambulance. For example, it is likely Medicare will not pay for an ambulance to take someone with a simple arm fracture to a hospital. But if he or she goes into shock or is prone to internal bleeding, ambulance transport may be medically necessary to ensure the patient's safety. The details make a difference.

Second, the ambulance must take you to the nearest appropriate facility, meaning the closest hospital, critical access hospital, skilled nursing facility or dialysis facility generally equipped to provide the services your illness or injury requires. It also means that the facility must have a physician or physician specialist available to treat your condition. Thus, Medicare may pay for an ambulance to take you to a more distant hospital if, for example, you are seriously burned and the nearest hospital does not have a burn unit.

Similarly, if you live in a rural area where the nearest hospital equipped to treat you is a two-hour drive away, Medicare may pay. But if you want an ambulance to take you to a more distant hospital because the doctor you prefer has staff privileges there, expect to pay a greater share of the bill. Medicare will only cover the cost of ambulance transport to the nearest appropriate facility and no more.

Non-Emergency Situations

In limited cases, Medicare will also cover non-emergency ambulance services if such transportation is needed to treat or diagnose your health condition and the use of any other transportation method could endanger your health. Not having another means of transportation is not sufficient for Medicare to pay for services. Some examples include transportation to get dialysis or if you are staying in a skilled nursing facility and require medical care. In these cases, a doctor's order may be required to prove that use of an ambulance is medically necessary.

Ambulance Costs

The cost for ambulance services can vary from several hundred to several thousand dollars depending on where you live and how far you are transported.

Under original Medicare, Part B pays 80% of the Medicare-approved amounts for ambulance rides. You, or your Medicare supplemental policy (if you have one), will need to pay the remaining 20%.

If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, it must cover the same services as original Medicare, and may offer some additional transportation services. You will need to check with your plan for details.

How to Appeal

If an ambulance company bills you for services after Medicare denies payment, but you think the ride was medically necessary, you can appeal (see Medicare.gov/claims-appeals). Often, a lack of information about a person's condition or need for services can lead to denials.

If you need some help contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). SHIP has counselors that can help you file an appeal for free. To locate your local SHIP, visit ShiptaCenter.org or call 877-839-2675.

For more information on this topic, call Medicare at 800-633-4227 and ask them to mail you a copy of the "Medicare Coverage of Ambulance Services" booklet, or you can see it online at Medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/11021-Medicare-Coverage-of-Ambulance-Services.pdf.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living" book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization's official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.