Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are the two benefit programs that the Social Security Administration (SSA) offers qualifying Americans with conditions that prevent them from working and earning a living. These benefits may be available to you if you have a medical condition that has:
- Left you unable to work your previous job
- Prevented you from working other jobs
- Persisted for at least one year or is likely to cause your death
The vetting process required to get these benefits may seem extensive and complicated if you have applied or plan to apply for either of these Social Security Disability programs. If you would like to learn about how a lawyer could assist you in applying for disability benefits or appealing a denied claim, we may be able to help. Call our team from Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, today at (828) 286-3866 for a free consultation.
In This Article
Applying for SSDI or SSI Benefits
If you believe that you meet the above criteria, you may want to apply for benefits under one or more programs funded by the Social Security Administration. Some reasons why you may seek benefits could include:
- Recurring medical costs related to your disability
- An inability to earn a living to support your basic needs
- You have dependents who are harmed by your inability to work and earn a living
- It is your right, if you qualify, to receive benefits under programs such as SSDI and SSI
America has social safety nets for those who are unable to support themselves because of an illness or injury. If you fall into this category, it is your right to pursue disability benefits. With this in mind, applying for SSDI or SSI benefits – let alone obtaining them – is not always easy or straightforward.
Navigating the Claims Process
The Social Security Administration provides digital instructions for applying for such benefits. You could face several hurdles and concerns as you attempt to apply for SSI or SSDI benefits, potentially including:
- The language on the application forms is dense, confusing, or unclear.
- You are not sure how to gain access to the information required to complete your application.
- You do not have the mental or physical wherewithal to complete the application process.
- You are unclear about the precise information being requested or whether your answer will be adequate, and you are concerned that incorrect or missing information could result in a denied claim.
- You lack the necessary resources to obtain the information requested in the application.
Any concerns you have about your application being denied would not be unfounded. Data from the Social Security Administration shows that a majority of SSDI benefit applications are denied, at least initially. Many must rely on the appeals process to fight for and obtain the benefits they need to help them pay for their family’s basic needs.
An SSD Lawyer Can Guide You
In order to give yourself a chance at obtaining SSDI or SSI benefits on your first attempt, or at all, it is important that you are able to fill out your application accurately. A lawyer may be able to assist you in filing your initial application and may also assist you with any follow-up actions that prove necessary, such as providing additional information, attending a consultative examination, or appealing a denial.
Call our team at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, today at (828) 286-3866 to speak about how we may be able to assist you in applying for SSDI or SSI benefits.
For a free legal consultation with a social security disability lawyer serving Lincolnton, call 828.286.3866
What to Expect When You Apply for SSDI Benefits
As you (and possibly your lawyer) move through the process of applying for benefits through Social Security Disability Insurance, you may get a better idea of benefits that you could be entitled to. There are a number of considerations that could impact the amount of benefits you may receive, such as:
- Your age at the time that you suffered a disability
- The precise nature of your medical condition(s)
- How severe your injury is determined to be
- What documentation you can provide in support of your medical condition
- Whether you have dependents who depend on you
There may be other factors that the SSA uses to determine not only your eligibility for benefits but the dollar amount of benefits that you could be entitled to. According to the SSA, the average Social Security disability payment was $1,234 per month in 2019.
SSDI Eligibility Requirements
Such a benefit could make a significant difference in your life, especially if you are unable to earn income through other means. However, there are specific criteria you must meet to qualify. This includes:
- Having a qualifying disability based on the SSA’s Blue Book listing or your residual functional capacity
- Having enough – and recent enough – work credits
- Earning wages, if any, below the current substantial gainful activity limit
If you are having difficulty filing a claim, anticipate difficulty filing a claim, have been denied benefits, or want to learn more about the claims process, a lawyer may be able to assist you.
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What to Expect Filing an SSI Claim
The SSI monthly payment for most people was $794 for individuals and $1,191 for couples in 2021, according to the Social Security Administration. Like other states, North Carolina adds additional funds for some qualifying recipients under the State/County Special Assistance program.
While there are no work credits required for SSI, this program does have very strict asset and income limits. SSI was created to help those most at-risk meet their basic needs, such as heat, food, and clothing. Our attorneys can review your financial records to help you understand if you meet the criteria.
Occasionally, it is possible for an applicant to qualify for both SSDI and SSI. We can also help you understand if this may be a possibility for you.
A Lawyer Can Represent You Through the Application Process
The Social Security Administration allows SSDI and SSI applications to submit information through a representative, and you have the right to choose a lawyer as your representative. A lawyer may be equipped to serve in this role because:
- They are used to reading and understanding dense, text-heavy documents in the course of their work.
- They are familiar with the process of applying for SSDI and SSI benefits.
- They may be able to understand and explain wording that could be confusing or easily misconstrued.
If you choose one of our lawyers to assist you in the SSDI or SSI application process, they may:
- Correspond directly with the SSA and other relevant agencies as your direct representative
- Obtain the medical documentation that is necessary or beneficial to your application for benefits, should you give them permission to do so
- Access your Social Security file if necessary
- Accompany and represent you in any in-person interviews or other processes necessary to complete the application or appeals process
A lawyer may serve the role of sounding board, legal representative, and administrative assistant as you aim to secure any benefits that you may need.
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We Also Handle SSDI and SSI Appeals
Our North Carolina Social Security Disability attorneys can also help claimants who applied on their own or with someone else’s help and now need to appeal a denial. Denials are common and occur in more than two-thirds of initial claims.
If you received a denial from the SSA based on your SSDI or SSI application, you only have a short time to act. Generally, you may have up to 60 days to begin an appeal. The appeals process has four steps:
- Reconsideration, when a new disability examiner takes a look at your record on file
- An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing
- An Appeals Council review
- Taking the case to the federal district court
Most strong applications where there is evidence to document a qualifying disability receive approval during the earliest steps of this process. We rarely need to go in front of the Appeals Council or to federal court, but we have the experience and knowledge necessary to do so if necessary to get your claim approved.
Call Our Team at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, Today
Applying for disability benefits of any sort can be a daunting, drawn-out process, and the SSDI and SSI benefit application processes are no exceptions. If you would like assistance with this process or need help with your appeal, call our team at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, today at (828) 286-3866 for a free consultation.
Call or text 828.286.3866 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form