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If your doctor tells you that your medical condition is keeping you from being able to work, you may be wondering how you can obtain financial assistance to make ends meet.
You do not have to be overwhelmed with the SSDI application process. You need an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer to assist you in these matters.
A Kings Mountain Social Security Disability lawyer from Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC can work diligently to guide you through the Social Security Disability claim process. We can also help you appeal a denial of your SSDI application.
When we work for you, you can focus on your daily needs and your health.
Call (704) 482-1112 for a free case evaluation with a representative of Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC today.
Types of Social Security Disability Benefits Available in North Carolina
You may have several options when filing to receive financial assistance if you cannot work due to a long-term disability or terminal disease. Under the Social Security Administration (SSA), claimants may file for two different programs. Those include:
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Disabled workers may be able to receive monthly benefits that are based on their work history, if they suffer from a physical or mental impairment that prevents them from engaging in full-time work activity. The physical or mental impairment must last or be expected to last for a period of 12 months or be expected to end in death. A claimant’s benefits are based on their average lifetime earnings.
When someone has a disability, their families may be suffering as well. Because the SSA recognizes this, individual members of the claimant’s family may be eligible for benefits in certain circumstances, including:
- Minor children of the claimant
- The claimant’s spouse, including a divorced spouse that did not remarry
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
If the claimant does not have a sufficient work history, he or she may be eligible to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, based upon his or her disability. SSI recipients may also qualify for assistance through Medicaid.
If you or a loved one were initially denied for SSDI or SSI and would like assistance with a claim, a Kings Mountain Social Security Disability lawyer from Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC may be able to assist you.
Call our firm at (704) 482-1112 for a free case evaluation with a member of our team.
How to Apply for Social Security Disability Benefits in North Carolina
Three different ways to apply for Social Security Disability Benefits are available regardless of your location in North Carolina. They include:
- Over the phone by calling (800) 772-1213
- In-person at a Social Security office in your area
- Filling online for SSDI
What to Expect Next After Filing a Claim
The SSA determines if you qualify under their basic eligibility requirements, which includes your work history. If you have sufficient work credits, then SSA transfers your claim file to the Disability Determination Services (DDS) agency.
The Department of Health and Human Services is the administration for DDS. This office is responsible for making the initial decision about whether or not a claimant has a disability.
How Social Security Disability Claims Are Decided
Often, Social Security Disability claims are denied initially. Reasons for denials may include:
- Technical errors: an application could be denied if the claimant does not have the paperwork filled out correctly or does not have all of the information required
- Work history requirements: an application could also be denied if a claimant does not meet the work history requirements set by the SSA.
- Qualifying disability: an application could be denied if the SSA determines that the claimant did not have a qualifying disability
Claims must go through a five-step process before claimants are determined to be disabled by Social Security’s standard of disability. These steps include:
- Earnings: First, SSA determines whether a claimant is working by looking at an earnings record to see if a claimant is engaged in substantial gainful activity. Annual earning guidelines are set to determine substantial gainful activity levels 3211(different guidelines are in effect for blind individuals). If a claimant earns less than the set amount, the application proceeds to the next step,
- Severity of condition: Next, SSA reviews all doctor’s statements and medical records to determine whether a claimant has a severe impairment. If it is determined that one’s condition is not severe, the claim will be denied. If it is determined that one’s condition is severe, then the application proceeds on to the next step.
- Impairments The SSA lists impairments that are grouped into 14 categories. If the claimant’s symptoms are equal to or match these impairment’s severity, then they meet SSDI eligibility requirements, and their claim moves on to the next step.
- Ability to return to work: A claim will be denied if the SSA determines that the claimant can return to work as they did before. If they cannot, then their claim moves on to the next step.
- Ability to conduct any other type of work: If SSA determines that a claimant cannot return to their past work, it will then consider whether there is other work in the economy that they can do. If not, then a claimant will be considered disabled.
A Kings Mountain Social Security Disability Lawyer May Be Able to Help You
If your doctor determined that you are disabled and can longer work, you could receive Social Security Disability benefits.
Call Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC for a free case evaluation with a member of our team at (704) 482-1112.
