If you have become unable to work and your condition is expected to last for at least one year, you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits.
TWO DISABILITY BENEFIT TYPES
Social Security Administers two types of disability benefits which are often confused by those who don’t deal with these issues regularly. First, there is the standard Social Security Disability Insurance Benefit, for which you may be qualified if you are “insured.” To be “insured” you must have worked over a certain number of years, and earned sufficient credits in each year, by virtue of paying the “FICA” tax from your earned income. Most people refer to this benefit as “SSDI” or “SSD.” Under this type of benefit, there is no limit on the resources you own, or receipt of other income (so long as it is not “earned income”).
Second, there is Supplemental Security Income or “SSI,” which is a disability benefit which is based entirely on need. There is no past earnings requirement for SSI benefits. This benefit, however, is typically much more limited in amount than SSDI. Under some circumstances, and individual may collect both SSDI and SSI benefits, where the latter supplements a minimal SSDI benefit.
SSA’s DEFINITION OF DISABLED
In order to be awarded either type of benefit, the claimant must be unable to do the work that he or she had done before (her “past relevant work”) and unable to adjust to any other work because of his or her medical condition. The claimant’s disability must also last, or be expected to last, for at least one year or be expected to result in death.
WHEN WE CAN HELP
We can represent SSDI and SSI Claimants at the following stages:
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- Initial Application
- Reconsideration Stage or Request for Reconsideration
- Hearing Stage, or Request for Hearing
- Appeals Council
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If you have either received a denial of your claim, or believe you may need to file a claim for SSDI or SSI, get in touch with us today and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have so you can determine whether our legal representation can help you ensure your rights. Call now, or complete the form above!
WHY CHOOSE US?
We have over 25 years experience handling Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) claims, at all stages: initial claims, administrative appeals, and of course, hearings before Administrative Law Judges (“ALJ’s”), Appeals Council Reviews, and federal court appeals. Our Social Security Disability claims have numbered in the hundreds, and we enjoy an excellent rate of success.
From the start our goal has been to help our clients achieve the benefits they rightly deserve. Understanding that our clients are specifically dealing with extreme financial pressure because they cannot work, we offer contingency fee agreements standard. No person should have to forego experienced representation because of a lack of money.
We believe in our clients and we recognize that their energy is better spent trying to cope with their conditions and get better, and not fighting with the government over Social Security Disability benefits–that’s where we come in. Our job is to present your claim in the most favorable light possible in order to achieve success.