Social Security Disability Insurance Attorney
Leading Social Security Disability Insurance Lawyer Based in Philadelphia
As we go about our daily routines, most of us do not think about the possibility of becoming disabled and being unable to work. Shockingly, statistics show that a 20-year-old worker has a 30 percent chance of becoming disabled before reaching retirement age. Fortunately, when the unthinkable happens, the federal government provides assistance to disabled workers and their families through its Social Security Disability Insurance or “disability” program. If you or a loved one is unable to work due to injury or disability, it is important to investigate whether you are entitled to Social Security Disability Insurance or “SSDI” benefits.
How Do I Receive SSDI Benefits?
A worker may receive SSDI benefits if he or she becomes unable to work due to a physical or mental impairment that is expected to last or has lasted for 12 months, or is terminal. However, being unable to work or having a doctor say that you are unable to work does not automatically entitle you to benefits. To receive benefits, you must complete the very detailed and cumbersome Social Security application processes and meet certain employment and medical requirements, which may require you to be evaluated by one of social security’s own doctors.
Unfortunately, less than half of all claims are approved upon application. This makes it critical to seek the aid of a skilled attorney who will help you present your application in the best possible way. At Stampone O’Brien Dilsheimer Holloway, our caring lawyers can help you apply for SSDI, develop your case, and handle your appeal should your application be denied. It is important to understand that while most claims are denied at the initial level, a large portion of those claims are later approved during the appeals process, particularly when an attorney is involved.
How Do I Qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance?
Sadly, social security only pays for total, long-term disability. This is because the federal government assumes that you and your loved ones can rely on other sources of income, such as Workers’ Compensation, insurance, and savings, during periods of short-term disability. The Social Security Administration (“SSA”) not only requires you to prove that you can’t perform your current or prior job(s) but that you are unable to perform any job available in the national economy.
To receive benefits, you must also have worked in the recent past (typically, five out of the last 10 years) and earned enough work credits during the course of your life (typically 40 credits). This is because the SSDI program is funded by taxes on the injured or disabled workers’ earnings.
To determine whether your physical or mental impairment is severe enough to interfere with basic work-related activities, the SSA will look to see if you meet one of the “listing impairments” contained in what is known as the “Blue Book.” These listings cover approximately 100 individual impairments organized into different categories and are considered automatically disabling if you meet the listed criteria.
If your medical condition is not on the list, don’t worry, you can still receive benefits if the SSA finds your condition or conditions are equivalent in severity to one of the listings. To reach this decision, the SSA will examine a number of factors including your medical records, your age, your education, your spoken language(s), your past work experience, and more.
Contact Us to Hire a Social Security Disability Lawyer Near You
Historically, claimants who are represented by an attorney have a greater chance of being approved for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. At Stampone O’Brien Dilsheimer Holloway, our experienced team understands how to navigate the application and appeals process for SSDI claims and consultation with our office is free, so you can share everything you need to help us build your case.
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