Are you disabled and unable to work? Is your condition expected to last for at least 12 months?
This situation can be scary because you don’t know what the future holds. But you have options to help you get through this time. A Columbia disability attorney from our law firm can help you get the social security benefits you need to continue to provide for your family.
How can we help? You may qualify for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers two federal disability programs. You may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
We can help you file for disability benefits or appeal a denied claim.
Our Columbia disability lawyer will ensure that you submit all the necessary information to the Social Security Administration promptly, increasing the likelihood of your claim being approved.
How Do You Qualify for Disability Benefits?
While disability might not be a subject you thought about before, it’s more common than you’d think.
1 in 4 people who are 20 years old today will become disabled before they are 67.
Disability is determined by the following criteria:
- You can’t do the work that you did before.
- It’s decided that your medical conditions prevent you from adjusting to other work.
- Your medical condition is expected to last at least one year or result in death.
If all of these apply to you, the next step is to learn the basics of the programs provided by the Social Security Administration, which are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
What You Need to Know About SSDI vs. SSI
The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers two disability programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). While both provide financial assistance, they have different eligibility requirements.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
SSDI provides monthly benefits to individuals who have worked and paid into Social Security through FICA taxes. You may qualify if:
- You have a qualifying disability.
- You have worked long enough and paid sufficient FICA taxes.
- Your disability prevents you from working for at least one year.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI is a needs-based program designed for individuals who are disabled and have limited income and resources. You may qualify if:
- You have a qualifying disability.
- You have limited income and financial resources.
- You have not worked enough to be eligible for SSDI.
Can You Qualify for Both?
Yes! Some people qualify for both SSDI and SSI benefits, depending on their work history and financial situation. However, partial or short-term disabilities do not qualify for either program. If you were injured on the job, you may need to explore workers’ compensation instead.
You will need to get in touch with our Columbia disability lawyer for help navigating your legal claim.
How Do You Apply for Disability Benefits?
The Social Security Administration recommends that you file for disability benefits as soon as you are disabled. So, don’t put off contacting our law firm in Columbia to initiate your disability claim if you want to start receiving the disability benefits you deserve as soon as possible.
There’s some information you have to provide in your application that shows who you are, what happened to cause your disability, and how you are unable to work. You’ll also need the following information:
- Social Security Number.
- Birth Certificate.
- Proof of Age.
- Information about medical professionals who took care of you and when they saw you for one or more disabling conditions.
- Medication Information. List all the medications and their corresponding dosages that you’re taking.
- Any medical records from medical professionals and specialists that you saw for your disability.
- Any laboratory and test results.
- A summary of your workplace and what you did there.
- Your most recent W-2 form. If you’re self-employed, then provide a copy of your federal tax return.
What Factors Are Used to Make Decisions on Disability Claims?
Once you and your Social Security disability lawyer in Columbia have worked together on the application process, it’s up to the Social Security Administration (SSA) to look over your documents and make a decision on whether to grant you monthly benefits.
First, they check if you are working. If you’re earning above their set limit for substantial gainful activity (SGA), you likely will not qualify. But if your income is below that threshold, they will move on to the next step: determining whether your condition is severe enough to keep you from working for at least a year.
Along with that, they’ll check if your condition is on their list of disabling medical issues. If it’s not listed, the SSA will determine whether it’s severe enough to prevent you from working.
Once that’s completed, they’ll see if you can still do the job you had before. If not, then the final question must be answered: Can you do any other type of work based on your age, skills, and experience? If the answer is yes, your claim will likely be denied.
This is a complicated process. For this reason, you need to turn to a disability lawyer in Columbia.
They’ll make sure you have the best chance of getting the benefits you deserve.
Can Your Family Also Get Social Security Disability Benefits?
One detail to know is that your family can also get Social Security Disability benefits if you can’t work due to your medical condition. This can provide additional financial relief for your household, so it’s worth going through the Social Security Disability claim process with a law firm that knows how to get family benefits.
If you’re looking to get benefits for your family, you will have to provide:
- Family member’s social security numbers and proof of age for each member.
- If your spouse is applying for benefits, proof of marriage is required.
An experienced South Carolina disability lawyer can evaluate your claim, help with your initial application, and assist you with your appeal.
If your case goes to a judicial hearing in front of an administrative law judge, your attorney will ensure that you are fairly represented and will give you the best chance possible of obtaining a favorable outcome for your disability claim.
The attorneys at our law firm are knowledgeable about the rules that govern Social Security Disability and SSI.
Unfortunately, many valid claims for Social Security Disability benefits are denied because the evidence is presented in an unorganized manner, without consideration of the rules and guidelines that the SSA uses to understand and approve claims.
When you come to our law firm, you can trust that we know how to navigate the process, which you’ll find out more about during your free case evaluation with our Columbia Social Security disability lawyer.
What Happens If the Claim Is Denied?
It’s not unusual for the SSA to deny a disability claim for a variety of reasons. The good news is that just because your claim is denied doesn’t mean you’re out of options. You can appeal the initial decision, allowing your application to be reviewed again by an appeals council.
Just as with the initial application for Social Security Disability payments, it’s always a good idea to hire a law firm to help with the appeals process.
You’ll need advice on how to proceed with the appeal, and a South Carolina long-term disability attorney can do that while being an advocate for you the entire time.
How Can a Columbia Disability Lawyer Help
If you are disabled and unable to work, a Columbia law firm with experience communicating with the SSA can give you a fair chance at obtaining disability benefits. At Solomon Law Group, LLC, we truly care about the outcomes our clients get, and you can trust that our law firm has the experience to handle your case.
We have the resources to help you throughout every stage of your case. From assistance with medical care to obtaining medical records, you can rest assured that we are thorough, consistent, and competent.
It’s important that you stand up for yourself and get the coverage you need when you’re unable to work. You shouldn’t have to worry about finances when you should focus on recovery and your overall well-being.
Contact us to schedule a free consultation so we can discuss your case and what course of action is best for you as you seek benefits.
Our Columbia disability lawyer is ready to help.
