The Social Security Administration (SSA) is responsible for two of the country’s most important safety net programs for people with disabilities—Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). While SSI is a needs-based program, SSDI is available for people who have acquired the necessary number of work credits.
If you have a disability that prevents you from maintaining a stable income, you can apply for Social Security Disability benefits. However, this process is notoriously complicated and frustrating for most applicants. A Belpre Social Security disability insurance lawyer can help you understand your odds of having your claim approved, whether you should appeal a denial, and what the appeals process entails.
SSDI differs from SSI in that there is no asset test to qualify for SSDI. As long as the person has earned sufficient work credits, including the requirement for credits in the last few years, and they have a qualifying disability, then they will likely qualify for SSDI.
SSDI may not have an income or asset test, but it is still income-driven. In other words, the payments are partially based on the applicant’s income prior to the disability. That is because income determines the accrual of work credits. If someone worked on a part-time or temporary basis, but did not earn enough work credits to qualify, then they will be ineligible for SSDI.
There are many disabilities (both mental and physical) that could qualify someone for benefits, but it must have a proper diagnosis and it must prevent him or her from maintaining employment. The disability cannot be short-term – it must either last more than a year or be expected to result in death. A Belpre, Ohio lawyer could assist an SSDI applicant with confirming they pass the eligibility requirements.
The SSA is notorious for denying many applications for SSDI, many of which would be approved if they were done correctly or had proper evidence. Understanding the guidelines for disability can help an applicant ensure they have the necessary documentation to prove the claim. Disability eligibility requires proving that the applicant has a medical condition that prevents them from working. The disability does not have to prevent someone from doing any work; it only needs to prevent “gainful employment” as defined by the SSA.
If a claim is denied for whatever reason, a Belpre SSDI lawyer could analyze it and determine if it makes sense to file an appeal. The appeals process can add months to the timeline, but the SSA ends up approving many appealed claims that it previously denied.
Disabilities can impact a person’s ability to work, but they do not have to strip you of your dignity or your financial independence. SSDI can be a huge help to people who cannot work, but it is not as simple as filling out a form or two. There is a lot involved with getting approved and you need to be careful that you cover all your bases.
A Belpre Social Security disability lawyer can help you with securing appropriate documentation, addressing all requirements, and appealing a potential denial. Schedule a consultation today with the largest female-founded law firm in the country, and check out our SSDI eligibility quiz to see if you might qualify.
To Schedule an Appointment, Call Us Toll Free at 1.877.873.8208 or Email Us for a Prompt Response.
Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law
