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A Ranlo Social Security Disability lawyer from Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, can help you with your claim if you cannot work because of your health. When an illness or injury prevents you from making a living, you could qualify for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. We can file your claim or fight a denial if you have already applied.
A Ranlo personal injury lawyer from our North Carolina team is here to help you manage this process and get the benefits you need. We have served over 10,000 clients over the years. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more.
Our Ranlo Lawyers Help You Weigh Your Options for Social Security Disability
When you apply for SSD, you usually seek benefits from one of two programs:
Both programs fall under the SSD umbrella but have different purposes and criteria. SSDI is generally for workers who recently became ill or injured and cannot work.
SSI is for those who have little household income and few assets. SSDI does not have income limits, while SSI does not require you to have recent work credits.
Our Ranlo Social Security Disability attorneys understand the criteria for each program. They can help you determine your best option during a discussion about your history, health status, and financial standing. You could even qualify for both programs.
Our Ranlo Social Security Disability Lawyers Work on Contingency
Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC takes disability cases on a contingency basis. We do not ask clients to pay us upfront for preparing or filing their claim or appealing a Social Security Disability denial.
Instead, we receive a portion of the back pay awarded after the Social Security Administration (SSA) approves their claim. If we don’t win your claim, you owe us nothing.
We have six offices and six attorneys serving North and South Carolina, including an office in Shelby, NC.
Our team prides itself on providing the best legal representation possible and giving each client the support and advocacy they need. We have a 24/7 helpline that can answer questions about your case anytime.
Our previous clients have recommended us, giving us an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 on Google Reviews. Call us today to get started.
Our Ranlo Team Explains the Criteria for Social Security Disability Benefits
Both SSDI and SSI require you to meet the same medical criteria to qualify. When you apply, the North Carolina Disability Determination Services assesses your medical condition through a multistep evaluation process. Some criteria they consider include:
- The Listing of Impairments: The SSA compares your medical records to the criteria listed under your diagnosis in the Blue Book. This book, known formally as the Listing of Impairments, is a set of conditions that are severe enough to qualify if you have the medical evidence to meet the listing details.
- Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA): You are unlikely to qualify for benefits if you work and earn more than a specific monthly amount. This is known as the SGA limit.
- Severity of your condition: Your health condition must prevent you from performing basic work activities for 12 continuous months, be expected to prevent you from working for 12 months, or be expected to cause your death.
- Past work: If your condition does not match a Blue Book listing, the SSA will determine whether you can still do any of your past work or other work based on age, education, work experience, and functional limitations during a residual functional capacity (RFC) assessment.
Disability Determination Services will use your medical records, doctor’s notes, medical imaging, test results, and other documents to evaluate your claim. For this reason, submitting a complete and correct claim is critical to getting approved for benefits.
Let Our Ranlo Social Security Disability Attorneys Manage Your Appeal
Unfortunately, the SSA does not approve many claimants’ SSD benefits based on their initial claim. If the SSA denies your claim, contact us immediately. You only have a limited time—usually 60 days—to appeal.
After a denial, the appeals process includes four steps:
- Reconsideration: A different Disability Determination Services team member will re-examine your claim and supporting evidence.
- Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ): If your claim does not receive approval in reconsideration, you can request an ALJ review of the claim and new evidence.
- Appeals Council Review: If the ALJ denies your appeal, you can ask the SSA Appeals Council to review the decision.
- Federal Court: If the Appeals Council denies your benefits or declines to review the claim, you can file a lawsuit in federal court.
We often get our clients approved by providing evidence to show they have a qualifying disability. For example, our Ranlo Social Security Disability lawyer could provide the ALJ with compelling medical evidence while reviewing the claim.
We will fight for the benefits our client needs, regardless of how long your appeal takes.
Discuss Your Social Security Disability Claim With Our Ranlo, NC, Team
Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, provides free consultations for anyone in Ranlo, NC, with an illness or injury preventing them from working and earning a living.
If you are struggling because your health prevents you from working, a Ranlo Social Security Disability lawyer from our team will explain your options and help you file a claim.
We could also represent you during the appeals process if you have already filed and received a denial notice. Contact us today to learn more.
