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Are you preparing to apply for Social Security Disability, or have you already submitted a disability application and been rejected? If you live in Lenoir, our North Carolina Social Security Disability lawyers would be happy to help with either situation.
Even a small error can jeopardize your entire application. To ensure the process moves as quickly and smoothly as possible, our law office can manage your entire case while keeping you updated.
Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, has recovered over $100 million for deserving clients. Contact us today to speak to a Lenoir Social Security Disability lawyer.
Get Help From Our Social Security Disability Team
Our team goes above and beyond to provide clients with competent and effective legal representation. Andrea G. Farmer is a Certified Specialist in Social Security Disability law. She has over 20 years of experience providing people just like you with attentive and professional legal care in North Carolina.
Before you decide whether or not to retain our services, a member of our team can assess your case at no charge or obligation. It will only cost a few minutes of your time to learn how the services we offer can be applied to your case.
For example, we help clients:
- File applications: Strict deadlines and lengthy forms make it difficult for many people to apply for disability benefits on their own. We can fill out all the necessary forms for you and manage the entire application process.
- Appeal denials: Even if the Social Security Administration (SSA) had denied your claim, we may be able to convince them to look at your case again. This is especially true if the denial is founded on a clerical error or lack of evidence: we would correct the error or submit additional evidence.
- Gather and submit paperwork: The SSA only approves cases if they believe you truly need benefits. We can convince them by submitting medical records, financial documents, birth and marriage certificates, and much more.
- Understand the process: We always make time to answer client questions about disability claims, no matter how “big” or “small” those questions are.
Understanding Social Security Disability
The term “Social Security Disability” is an umbrella term that encompasses two separate types of benefits. It is very important to understand the difference between these two programs before you apply.
We can assign a Social Security Disability lawyer who serves Lenoir to your case, and they can explain these differences in greater detail.
Social Security Disability Insurance
If you worked and paid into Social Security for a certain number of years, you may be eligible to draw Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) if an injury or illness now prevents you from working.
To qualify, according to the SSA, you must:
- Meet the SSA’s definition of “disabled” or “visually impaired”
- Have worked in a qualifying position (i.e., one in which you paid into Social Security) for a length of time determined by your current age
- Be unable to work at your previous position(s)
- Be unable to earn more than $1,690/mo ($2,830/mo if blind) at any type of employment
Supplemental Security Income
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) works differently from SSDI. For example, you do not necessarily need to be disabled to receive SSI benefits. SSA qualifications for SSI disability benefits include:
- Being retirement age or older and/or having a qualifying disability or visual impairment
- Being unable to earn enough money to support yourself
- Having resources and property that are worth no more than $2,000 (or $3,000, if you are married)
Examples of Disabilities Under the Social Security Administration
The SSA Blue Book lists the types of conditions that could qualify you for disability benefits.
Examples of qualifying disabilities include:
- Organ or bone marrow transplants
- Respiratory disorders (e.g., asthma)
- Cystic fibrosis
- Cancer
- HIV
- Multiple sclerosis
- Musculoskeletal disorders (e.g., arthritis)
- Schizophrenia
- Anxiety disorders
- Amputation
- Arrhythmia
- Cardiovascular disorders (e.g., congestive heart failure)
While the list of disabilities that could qualify you for benefits is long, there are limitations. For example, partial disabilities are not covered under the SSA’s definition; you must be completely disabled for at least 12 months to receive benefits.
However, the definition does include mental disorders and neurological disorders that keep you from working.
Proving Disability
Convincing the SSA that you are truly blind or disabled requires submitting a great deal of paperwork and medical evidence. Failure to provide sufficient evidence may result in a disability claim denial.
A lawyer from our team can help you identify and collect the documents you need, including:
- Testimonial from medical professionals who examined you and can confirm your disability
- Descriptions of past jobs, when you stopped working, and why your disability prevents you from working
- Medical records that describe your condition and the medical treatments you have received
- Statements from vocational experts attesting that you cannot perform work duties
What if My Application Is Denied?
Being denied SSDI or SSI benefits is frustrating and upsetting, but it does not have to be the end. There are multiple levels of appeal that we can guide you through.
These are:
- Reconsideration: We ask the Social Security Administration to assign someone new to look at your case with fresh eyes and no preconceptions of whether you qualify or not.
- Hearing: We ask an administrative law judge (ALJ) to preside over a hearing, at which we present arguments and evidence in your favor.
- Review: We ask the Appeals Council to consider your case. They will either take up your case themselves, assign it to another ALJ, or deny our request.
- Court: We ask the Federal Court to consider your case and advocate for you in the courtroom, once again presenting evidence on your behalf.
You may not have to complete every step in the appeals process, as your claim could be approved at the previous level. However, you must exhaust a remedy before you can escalate the appeals process to the next level.
Not every denial can be overturned, but many are due to correctable mistakes or oversights. We can do everything possible to avoid such oversights. If necessary, we can take your case through as many appeals as possible to secure the benefits you deserve.
Call for a Free Consultation With a Social Security Disability Lawyer in Lenoir
At Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, we know how much you need Social Security Disability benefits and that the process for receiving those benefits is not always as straightforward as it should be. Let one of our lawyers help you so that you do not have to carry the burden alone.
Call our offices by phone or reach out online to schedule a legal consultation with a Social Security Disability lawyer in Lenoir, North Carolina.
