If you are injured or ill and unable to work, you might be worried about how you are going to pay bills, buy groceries, and support your family or lifestyle. Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits may be available to you. However, Social Security Disability applications are usually denied the first time.
Do not give up. A Richardson Social Security Disability lawyer can help you navigate the complex process of applying for SSD benefits or appealing a denial decision.
Our team at Underwood Law Office wants to help. Our team can walk you through the benefits applications or appeals process and fight for the financial assistance you need. Let us stand by your side and advocate for you. Call our office today at 972-535-6377 to get started.
Social Security Disability Is Funded by the Social Security Administration (SSA)
According to the Texas Health and Human Services, a person is disabled when they are “limited in one or more major life activities.”
Social Security Disability is a federally funded program managed by the Social Security Administration (SSA). It provides financial assistance to people who are physically unable to work or restricted in their working capabilities. People who are seeking SSD benefits must be completely disabled to receive the benefits. In addition, you must have worked for a certain amount of time to qualify for these disability benefits. This is all dependent on your age at the time of disability. The younger you are, the less time you need to have worked to qualify for SSD benefits.
The process of getting Social Security Disability benefits is strict. In fact, a high percentage of applicants get denied the first time. In order to get these benefits, you must have a medical condition that is expected to last at least a year or a condition that is likely to lead to your death.
Get Help Applying for Benefits
Your application must be accurate if you want to be approved for SSD benefits. The SSA thoroughly checks your work history as well as your medical history. The information you provide on your application must be accurate for the application process to go as smoothly as possible. This process can be extensive and detailed.
A Richardson Social Security Disability lawyer can help you collect the information you need to prepare your application. If you are having trouble with your SSD benefits application, contact our team at Underwood Law Office to get the help you need. Call us today at 972-535-6377.
For a free legal consultation with a social security disability lawyer serving Richardson, call (972) 535-6377
The SSA Considers Several Factors Before Making a Decision on Your Application
According to the SSA, the state uses a five-step system to determine if you are eligible for Social Security Disability benefits.
You Must Be Unable to Engage in Substantial Gainful Activity
To get SSD benefits, you cannot make more than a certain amount of money, which is referred to as “substantial gainful activity” (SGA). SGA maximums change every year. When reviewing your application, the SSA will look at your current income and see if you make more than what can be considered.
Your Medical Condition Must Be Severe Enough to Qualify
You must have a medical condition that is severe enough to be considered for benefits. You must be physically or mentally unable to do work for at least 12 months. Your condition must limit the amount of work you can do. This may include:
- Lifting objects
- Standing for any period of time
- Walking
- Sitting
- Remembering basic tasks
If you are not limited to doing any of the above tasks, you might not be considered for SSD benefits.
You Must Meet the Medical Criteria
In order to get Social Security Disability, you must medically meet the criteria. Having a doctor’s note is not enough to get SSD benefits. You must have medical evidence to support their decision. The SSA also has a list of certain impairments that would qualify you for disability benefits. They will look at your medical history to determine:
- What your current medical condition is
- When your medical condition was discovered or diagnosed
- How the specific medical condition limits your daily abilities
- What the diagnostic test results were
- If you received any treatment for this condition
You Must Be Unable to Do Your Current Job
At this step, the SSA will look at your medical condition and see if it hinders your abilities to perform your current work duties. If it is reasonable to determine you are unable to do any of your previous work due to your medical condition, you may qualify for benefits. However, if you can still perform your work duties, you might not be eligible for SSD benefits.
There Must Not Be Other Jobs You Can Do
If the SSA goes through all of the previous steps and determines you qualify up to this point, they will see if there are any other potential jobs you could do. The SSA looks at your age and any education and skills you might have. At that point, they will either determine that you could be doing other work or that you are disabled.
Richardson Social Security Disability Lawyer Near Me (972) 535-6377
Underwood Law Office Can Help You File an Appeal
If you were denied Social Security Disability benefits, do not give up. In fact, most people get denied benefits after their first application. You may still be able to appeal the SSA’s decision and have them reconsider. You can appeal their decision up to 60 days after you have been denied. There are four levels to the appeal process:
- Reconsideration
- A hearing before an Administrative Law Judge
- A review by the Appeals Council
- A review by a federal court
You have four different levels to be approved for SSD benefits. You may get approved at any of these four levels. A lawyer can walk you through each of these levels if you need them to guide you.
If you are considering applying for SSD benefits or have applied for benefits and were denied, a Richardson Social Security Disability lawyer may help you. Our team at Underwood Law Office can walk you through the process of applying for benefits or appealing a decision. Call our team today at 972-535-6377 for a free consultation.
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