Common Questions About Social Security Disability

Our attorneys recognize that getting social security benefits can be difficult, but we work hard to help our clients get the help they need.

Below are a few questions we frequently hear from our clients:

• I Am Out Of Work Due To A Long Term Disability. What Do I Do?

  • If you suffer from a long term disability and can no longer work for an income, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits.
  • Social Security does not just apply to those who have retired or are survivors of deceased workers. Individuals who can no longer work because they become disabled before reaching the retirement age may qualify to receive benefits of some kind.
  • To see if you qualify for disability income, please contact our attorneys.

• I Was Denied Social Security Benefits. What Do I Do Now?

  • Appeal! The majority of applications are denied, so you are not alone. In fact, most benefits are granted after an appeal. Just keep in mind that an appeal must be filed within sixty days, so you must work quickly to file the appeal, either with an attorney or on your own.

• What Happens If I Apply For Benefits And Then Return To Work?

  • Because SSDI and SSI are long-term disability benefit programs, you may not qualify if you are not out of work for a certain amount of time. However, if, for example, your condition keeps you out of work for a year or more and then it improves to the point where you can return to work, you may still qualify for disability benefits for the period of time you were out of work.

• What Is The Difference Between Ssi And Ssdi?

  • These programs have the same medical requirements but have very different eligibility requirements.

    SSDI is the program most think of when they think about Social Security disability benefits. SSDI requires that an applicant have a certain amount of recent work credits, which means that the applicant has a relatively recent work history. SSI is a needs-based program that considers an applicant’s assets (i.e. bank account balance, property, etc.). It is meant to support individuals with very few resources and limited income.

    If you are not sure whether you are eligible for these programs, apply. An application denial letter will explain whether or not you are eligible for SSDI or SSI.

• Why Should I Hire An Attorney For Social Security?

  • The Social Security disability application, appeal, and hearing process can be confusing and time-consuming. We frequently meet applicants who have been denied for reasons that could have been avoided. Whether your application has just been denied or you just received a hearing date, call our office and talk to one of our experienced attorneys. Having someone who understands the ins and outs of the Social Security disability process will help and may be the difference between being granted benefits or not.

If you have further questions regarding social security disability, please do not hesitate to contact our attorneys. We will assist you in any way that we can.