The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses specific criterion to judge your disability benefits claim. Even if you have a genuine disability, the success of your claim depends on how well you put your case. This is why it is important to know SSA requirements as well as other criterion SSA examiners may use to judge your case.

The good news is that even if your claim has been denied in the past, you can reapply for the benefits. Following are some key tips that will significantly improve your odds of getting the disability benefits you deserve.

File Your Claim as Soon as Possible

If you have a disability, you should seek social security disability benefits as soon as possible. The claims process takes a considerable amount of time. And you want to file at the earliest so that your claim will be decided upon in a timely manner. Another reason to file soonest is the expiry date on your disability insurance. Many disability benefits directly depend on whether or not you have disability insurance. This is why you want your claims process to begin before the insurance has expired.

Make an Appeal within 60 Days

SSA gives you 60 days to make an appeal against a denial of your claim. This is very small window in which you must improve on your previous application by adding the right and relevant supporting materials. At this point, it makes a lot of sense for you to hire a disability benefits attorney. When you make an appeal, it will likely be heard by an administrative law judge. If you have an attorney by your side, the process is a lot easier and you have better odds of presenting a more convincing case for your claim.

Provide Full Details of Medical Treatment

The medical treatment you have received in the past is a vital part of your SSDI application. Many applications tend to provide incomplete details of their previous medical treatment. A disability examiner may not have the time, resources or mandate to look up this information. This can cause the examiner to reject the claim or ascribe it less importance. To stay on the safe side of things, it is best to include full details of your past medical treatment. This includes the dates of the treatment, the exact name, location and address of the facility as well as the contact information of the relevant doctors.

Provide Proof of Recent Treatment

You must have received medical treatment from a doctor at least once in the three months before you file your claim. This is mandatory to qualify for SSA’s definition of a ‘disability.’ You must also visit a doctor once every two months to qualify for disability benefits in general. When you file a claim for disability benefits, it is important that you attach proof of such a recent treatment. This proof significantly improves the odds of getting your application approved by an examiner.

Report your Symptoms Accurately

A portion of the SSA disability benefits application is about the symptoms you experience. In this section, make sure you detail your symptoms as accurately and clearly as possible. The accuracy of these symptoms may help SSA match your disability with its own listing of impairments. If that’s not the case, it will still help an examiner or the judge get a vivid picture of the limitations you suffer.

Provide Medical Evidence

The medical evidence you provide with your disability claims application is used by the SSA examiners to accept or reject your claim. You must provide all the relevant evidence including history of medical problems and treatments, results of clinical exams and lab tests, current diagnosis of your disability as well as the testimony of the doctors.

Provide Details of your Work History

Your work history is another crucial part of your disability application. It is used by SSA examiners to determine the severity of your disability as well as the degree of limitations imposed by your disability. Make sure you accurately fill in the details of your work history.

Hiring a Disability Lawyer in Columbia, SC for Help Getting Disability Benefits

Whether you are filing a first-time claim for disability benefits or making an appeal against a denial, you should hire a disability attorney. An attorney can help you meet the key requirements, provide supporting materials and make sure your application is complete. The attorney will also advise you the relevant medical experts to consult. Here at J. Robert Surface Law Firm, we specialize in helping you get the maximum SSA benefits for your disability. We work closely with you to ensure that you get the benefits you deserve. Call us today to book a FREE consultation with our disability lawyers in Columbia SC and discuss your case in a one-on-one session.

If you have a disability that prevents you from working, you can file a disability claim to get social security disability benefits. These benefits offer you compensation for being unable to work and earn for yourself. They are also immensely helpful if you have temporary disability, letting you recover without worrying about making ends meet.

You can apply for disability benefits to the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, SSA has stringent requirements which must be met in order to qualify for these benefits. Many disability claims simply get rejected because they don’t consider or meet these requirements. This is why it is important to consider these requirements before you file your claim. In general SSA has a five-step process which is used to evaluate all disability claims. Each step involves a different set of requirements against which your claim is evaluated.

Five Phases of Disability Claim Evaluation

A five-phase approach is used to evaluate all social security disability claims. These five steps are sequential. This means that you quality from one step to another only if you meet the requirements of the earlier step.

The first step evaluates the non-medical criteria of your claim. In the second step, the severity of your impairment is determined. The third step matches your disability with an existing list of medical conditions. In the fourth step, your present impairment is matched with your past work abilities. Finally, if you satisfy SSA requirements in all previous steps, SSA determines your present work abilities.

A more detailed breakdown of each step of the evaluation process is given below.

Step 1: Evaluating Your Financial Standing

The very first step in evaluating a disability claim is to see the financial standing of the applicant. Every year, SSA determines a figure of monthly earnings. If you are currently getting a monthly earning above this figure, your claim will be denied. For 2019, this figure is $1,220. So if your monthly earnings are above $1,220 in 2019, you can’t qualify for disability benefits. SSA also looks into the assets and resources you have. If your assets and resources are above $2,000, your claim will likely be rejected.

Step 2: The Severity of the Impairment

In this step, SSA determines how severe your impairment is. This task is generally undertaken by the Disability Determination Services (DDS) which considers many facts. DDS classifies a disability as serious if it impairs you from walking, standing, sitting, lifting and performing other chores for at least 12 months. If DDS determines that your disability meets this definition, your application proceeds to step 3.

Step 3: Matching your Impairment With the SSA List of Impairments

In the third step, your impairment is matched with an existing Listing of Impairments maintained by SSA. This is an extensive list in which SSA has defines various disabilities for different human body systems. If your disability matches a disability on this list, your claim is accepted and you qualify for disability benefits. If your disability is unique and not listed on the listing, your claim proceeds to step 4.

Step 4: Matching Your Present Work Capacity With Past Work

During step 4, your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) is determined. RFC is basically the amount and nature of work you can still perform despite your disability. Once your RFC is determined, an SSA adjudicator will check your past work activities. This is done to shortlist your Past Relevant Work. This is the work you have performed for at least a specified period anytime in the 15 years preceding your disability. Finally, the adjudicator matches your RFC with your Past Relevant Work. If, despite your disability, you are still able to perform a job you previously performed, your claim will be denied.

Step 5: Matching Your Work Capacity With Other Work Options

In the final step, the SSA adjudicator checks if you can perform any other relevant work with your existing work capacity. In so doing, a number of factors are considered. These include your age, education, past work experience, medical conditions and any work skills you can still exercise. If SSA finds that there is suitable work that you can still perform, your claim is denied. If that is not the case, your claim is accepted and you quality for disability benefits.

Why Hire a Disability Attorney in Greenville SC?

Social security disability benefits help you through a temporary or long-term disability. However, you must do the due diligence before you file a claim or it will be rejected. A qualified social security disability attorney in Greenville SC can help you prepare a solid claim. Here at J. Robert Surface Attorney at Law, we are very well acquainted with the requirements and evaluation process of a disability claim. Our attorneys help you meet the criterion at each step of the application. Contact us today for free consultation on your disability claim and our attorneys will personally discuss your case with you.

Social Security Benefits are the government’s way of supplementing the income of citizens who need financial assistance. The benefits are, however, not available to everyone due to limited resources, and there is a strict application process which many fail to scale through.

Applying for social security benefits is a strenuous task which can cost you much time and yield nothing in the end. For this reason, we advise people to hire disability lawyers in SC who have experience applying for social security benefits and know how to present cases to the Social Security Administration to get the best results.

SSI and SSDI

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a program administered by Social Security which pays monthly benefits to people who have limited income, are disabled, blind, aged 65 or older. Children younger than eighteen (18) who are blind or disabled are also entitled to SSI benefits if they meet specific requirements. Children over 18 but below 22 may also qualify for SSI if they are still in school.

To qualify for Supplemental Security Income, a child must be disabled as defined by the SSA, and the disability must meet or “equal” a listing. The child must also be unmarried and must not be the head of a household. Further, the child and members of his family must not have an income exceeding a certain sum.

When a child who has benefitted from SSI turns 18 or 22, his or her disability will be reviewed, and he or she may qualify for SSDI.

Social Security Disability Insurance is a payroll tax-funded insurance program administered by Social Security. It is a disability benefit given to people who are disabled and have sufficient work credits. To benefit from SSDI, a person must have had qualifying employment for several years. Qualifying employment is any job which contributed to the payroll tax for SSDI.

A child (under 18 or 19 if he or she is a full-time student) can receive SSDI benefits based on the earnings of his or her parents. An adult can also benefit from SSDI through his or her parent’s work credits. To qualify to receive benefits under SSDI, one of his or her parents must:

1. Have Social Security retirement or disability benefits or
2. Have died and got enough work credits to qualify for Social Security.

As a dependent SSDI beneficiary, an adult child must:

1. Be unmarried or married to someone who qualifies for and received SSDI benefits.
2. Be disabled by the SSA’s adult standards

How Child Disability Lawyers Can Help You

To apply for SSDI benefits for your dependent adult child, you have to get in touch with the SSA via their toll-free number 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local field office. You would need your child’s birth certificate and social security number as well as yours or the parent whose earnings the child is claiming under. To begin the process, fill out an Adult Disability Report online and authorize your doctors to disclose information to the SSA.

You would also need to provide:

1. Proof of the worker’s marriage to the child’s natural or adoptive parent
2. Proof that the child is a US citizen or lawful alien
3. W-2 forms or self-employment tax returns if the child worked in the last year
4. Proof of death, if the worker is deceased

You would also need to answer a myriad of questions listed on the SSA website. The questions can be tricky, and how you answer them would determine whether or not your child’s claim is approved. You need to be able to respond to the questions in a way that shows why your child should get SSDI benefits.

Hiring an experienced child disability lawyer will give you the insight you need to ensure your claim is approved. Your child disability lawyer has experience dealing with cases just like yours and knows how to present your case to the SSA to get the most favorable results. Your child disability lawyer would liaise with you and your doctors and other caregivers to ensure that all documents presented to the SSA present your child’s case in a way that meets SSA’s standards.

When to Get in Touch with Children Disability Lawyers

It would be best if you got in touch with a child disability lawyer once you decide to file for SSDI benefits. If you already filed and faced rejection, no need to fret; contact a child disability lawyer at J. Robert Surface today to help you prepare your next application.

The process of applying and getting approved for social disability claims is generally smooth. However, there are times when the application is rejected. Unfortunately, the Social Security Disability claim department often does not provide clear reasons as to the reasons for this rejection. In most cases, the application is rejected because the individual used the wrong form to complete the initial application or did not provide sufficient health information regarding the disability.

So what should one do?

Most people have no idea how the Social Security Administration agency works. In an effort to ensure that there are no fraudulent applications, there are many rules and regulations that all applications must abide by. It is thus always a good idea to seek the services of a social security disability lawyer as they can help you understand the process of applying as well appealing in case of a rejection.

Here are some reasons why you should have a social security disability attorney to help you with your social security disability claim:

1. Experience: Selecting the right disability lawyer with experience in dealing with denied social security disability claims is vital. Social security disability lawyers often handle such cases regularly and know what is required and what can be done to help ensure an application is approved or reversed in case it has already been rejected. Disability lawyers know the appeal process and can save you a lot of time and effort.

2. Completing the right forms: Applying for government benefits generally involves the filling out of forms and providing detailed documentation. A mistake in completing the form or using the wrong form altogether can easily result in an application being rejected. When you hire a social security disability attorney, they will guide you with the right forms, which can save time as well as reduce the chances of rejection.

3. The hearing: Many people who appeal their case at the Social Security Disability court have no idea what they will be asked and what they are supposed to bring. By hiring a disability lawyer, you will be better prepared for the appeals process, and will know how to answer the questions and what relevant forms you need to bring to court.

Most people hesitate to hire a disability lawyer because they feel that the cost would be too high. But it is important to understand that a social security disability lawyer cannot simply charge large sums of money to represent you for an SSD case. The fees are set by the social security administration, and they cannot be altered without express written permission by the agency.

In general, most lawyers fees are handled on a contingency basis, meaning you only pay if you win the case. However, if you win the award, the lawyer in most case will expect a contingency fee rate of 25% of the back pay benefits. The lawyer’s fees are capped and not dependent on the award. When you first see a disability attorney, they will tell you all about the fees so that you know where you stand.

It is true that you are free to represent yourself at the social services administration court. The agency provides a lot of information about the application and appeals process on its website. But the chance of a smooth approval is much higher when you have a social security disability lawyer by your side.

Contact a Social Security Disability Lawyer in Greenville, SC

If you need more information about SSDI benefits, contact a disability attorney in Greenville, SC. This can help ensure that your application for social security benefits is not delayed or denied. Contact our social security disability lawyers at J. Robert Surface Attorney at Law and they will be happy to assist you.

We are here to help you if you have received notification that your application for SSDI benefits has been denied. Our social security disability lawyers will ensure that your legal rights are fulfilled and you get the benefits that you deserve. Call our office today, and one of our social security disability lawyers will help you with your application. We believe that the reasons for rejection are sometimes completely preventable, such as using the wrong form, or providing incomplete or inaccurate information. When you contact our disability attorneys, they will tell you exactly what information to provide and how to provide. Call us today, and we will be happy to assist you.

Social security disability insurance (SSDI) is a program for people who have a genuine injury. However, many people apply for SSDI even though they are not eligible because of which a significant number of applicants are rejected.

Here are some common reasons why your SSDI can be denied:

1. You have a high income: SSDI is usually given to people who need it. It is a benefit for workers who have contributed to the program over many years. However, there is an income limit beyond which the agency will not pay. In order to be eligible for SSDI, your monthly income should be $1200 or lower. Your investments do not count towards the SSDI benefits. If you make more than $1500 a month, the agency may either reduce your payment or cancel the benefits.
2. You have a mild disability: In order to qualify for SSDI, the administration must be convinced that you have a severe impairment that will last at least 12 months or longer.  Injuries such as carpal tunnel, finger fracture, or whiplash usually result in rejection of the SSDI application because these injuries do not cause prolonged disability. However, each case is evaluated separately,  and the applicant must have medical evidence to back up their claims of severe impairment.
3. Faking an illness: There are some people who fake their injury claiming they are disabled and not able to work. While you may initially receive payments, if the administration finds out that your injury was faked, not only will you have to pay back all the money, but you may even be incarcerated and must pay a monetary penalty. In addition, any future applications from you will be thoroughly evaluated before you get any money. The ban on benefits is usually permanent for people who are convicted of disability fraud.
4. Missing location: When you apply for SSDI, you must have a bona fide home address. You can’t list a PO box number. The agency will contact you at home, and if they can’t find you, you will be denied the benefits. Similarly, if any of the information in your application is wrong, like your phone number, address, date of birth, marital status, etc., the benefits will be denied until the information has been corrected. If your application is being handled by a disability lawyer, make sure you keep in touch with them to get an update and also provide them with completely accurate information to avoid any hassles.
5. Missing or incomplete medical history: In order to receive SSDI benefits, you must have proof of an injury. Failing to provide health information is a common reason for denial. In some cases, the SS Administration will ask for a second opinion from another physician if they suspect that the injury is not severe. if you fail to cooperate or provide the required medical information, your application will be denied.
6. Failing to show up: In almost all cases, you will have to show up for meetings with an officer from SSA. If you regularly miss the meetings and do not inform SSA of the reasons for absenteeism, your claim will be denied. Similarly, if you have been prescribed a certain medication or treatment, you must follow up with doctors and rehabilitation, and you must attend these appointments. Failure to do so can result in denial of your claim.

Contact a Social Security Disability Lawyer in Greenville, SC

If your SSDI claim has been denied, speak to a disability lawyer who may be able to determine the reason for the rejection and the measures that can be taken to appeal this decision. and advise you with the next step.

For more information regarding SSDI benefits and the complete information that should be provided with your application, please call the social security disability lawyers at J. Robert Surface Attorney at Law.

Our lawyers have significant experience handling people whose SSDI application has been denied. If you have received notification that this happened, please call our office today, and we will be able to determine if you have a valid case. Sometimes, applications are denied for very silly reasons, and people sometimes put in incomplete or wrong information. This can just delay the process of approval, and that is why it is best to ask a disability lawyer to prepare your paperwork so that everything runs smoothly. Call us today, and our lawyers will be happy to assist you.

People who are employed by others have tax deductions from their salary each month. In addition, some of the money from their salary is also collected as social security benefits, which they receive after they turn 65 years old. However, there are many people who are self-employed or do freelance work. How do they become eligible for social security disability benefits? How does the system work for them?

The first and most important thing to understand is that if you do not pay taxes, you are not eligible for social security benefits. People who are self-employed can qualify for social security benefits as long as they have paid self-employment taxes and worked the required number of years to become eligible for social security benefits. For example, if you have worked just four years as a freelancer or have had your own business for only two years, you will not be eligible for social security benefits. In order to be eligible for social security benefits, you need to work for at least 10 years.

The Social Security Administration determines eligibility with a credit system. Essentially, for every year you work and pay taxes, you get four credits, and you need 40 credits in total to be eligible for social security benefits.

There are some business owners who are not required to pay the self-employment tax, especially those with S-corporations. These individuals will not be eligible for social society benefits unless they have paid into the tax system through some other job or means of income. While only individuals who have worked ten years and have 40 credits are eligible for social security benefits, there are some people who may be eligible with fewer credits – especially those with a disability.

All individuals who work in the US must pay into the tax system and have money deducted for social security. The maximum number of credits you can earn in a year is 4. It does not matter in which year the four credits are collected.

How much benefit does one get from social security?

The amount of disability benefits are based on how much earnings you have reported. The work credits have nothing to do with the amount; they simply qualify you for the benefits. The Social Security Administration  uses complex formulas to determine how much benefit you will receive, but basically, it involves how much you have earned and how much tax you have paid. For example, if you paid very little tax, this means very little money was deducted for social security, and hence this also means that you will also get a very small amount of money in the form of social security benefits.

All self-employed people must file a self-employment tax form every year. The self-employment tax rate is 15.3%, and about 12.4% goes to social security and the rest to Medicaid. Therefore, if you want social security benefits, it’s best if you pay for your taxes. There is no free ride with social security. You get what you pay into the system.

Contact the Social Security Disability Lawyers at the Surface Law Firm

The determination of social security benefits is pretty simple when it comes to people who are in the workforce and pay their taxes through their employer. But when you are self-employed, you have to ensure you file your taxes every year. It doesn’t matter how much money you make. You still have to file your taxes. However, the amount of social security benefits you will receive is dependent on how much taxes you paid and how much you contributed towards the social security benefit fund.

For more information regarding SSDI benefits for the self-employed, you can talk to a social security disability lawyers at J. Robert Surface Attorney at Law.  The team of social security disability lawyers at Robert Surface have handled many cases of self-employed individuals who want to ensure they get the benefits that they’ve worked hard for throughout their professional life. If you want to make sure you don’t lose out on the benefits you also have to make sure that you are filing your taxes properly and you are declaring your business income/self-employed income properly and accurately. Lots of self-employed people make the mistake of hiding their income so that they won’t have to pay a lot of tax. But this can go against you in the long run. For more information, call us today, and our social security disability lawyers will be happy to assist you.

Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are two very different governmental programs with different eligibility criteria.

First, it is important to understand that both of these programs are managed and run by the Social Security Administration. In addition, the eligibility for disability is evaluated in the same fashion for both programs, but there are differences between the two.

The major difference between SSDI and SSI is that SSDI is only available to employees (workers) who have worked and accumulated an adequate number of work credits. On the other hand, SSI disability benefits are generally available to individuals with low income who have not earned enough work credits or have never worked to qualify for SSDI.

What is Supplementary Security Income?

SSI is a financial aid program that is based strictly on an individual’s assets and income. This program is funded from the general taxes collected. SSI has nothing to do with employment or a person’s work history. It is based solely on the financial need of the individual. To qualify for SSI, one must have assets of less than $2,000 (or $3,000 for a couple) and must have very little or no income. The majority of people on food stamps also qualify for SSI.

In addition, individuals who are disabled and have no or little income are also eligible to receive Medicaid. However, the amount of SSI an individual will receive varies, depending on which state they reside in and the amount of any regular income that they have each month. If you satisfy the requirements for SSI benefits, the money will be directly deposited in your bank account, or you will be sent a check beginning on the first of the month when the application was submitted.

What Is Social Security Disability Insurance?

SSDI is strictly funded from the taxes collected while you work. Individuals who are eligible for SSDI have worked for a certain number of years and have made a contribution to the social security fund in the form of FICA social security taxes.

To be eligible for SSDI, the person has to be younger than 65 but older than 18 and must have earned a minimum number of work credits. Once a disabled individual starts to receive SSDI for 24 months, they will be eligible for Medicare.

Under the SSDI program, the spouse and dependent children of the disabled individual are also eligible to receive auxiliary benefits or what is also known as partial dependent benefits.

Once an application has been made for SSDI and is approved, there is a 5-month waiting period for the benefits to be paid. Once the waiting period has elapsed, the amount of monthly benefits one receives depend on the record of earnings. Unlike SSI, one is more likely to be approved for SSDI benefits. The key reason is that applicants for SSDI usually have a work history, have a high income and have earned a certain number of work credits. In addition, these individuals are more likely to have seen a healthcare provider to confirm and manage their health problems. It is almost impossible to get any disability without seeing a healthcare worker.

Contact a Greenville Disability Lawyer

If you are interested in obtaining more information about SSDI benefits, you should contact a Greenville disability lawyer. Keep in mind that sometimes application for these benefits can be delayed or denied. It is best to use the services of a social disability attorney so that the risk of denial is minimized. Contact a Greenville disability lawyer at J. Robert Surface Attorney at Law and they will be able to assist you.

In case you have received a denial of SSDI benefits, again, it is recommended that you speak to a Greenville disability lawyer.  Our disability lawyers can help you handle the delivery process and will also ensure that your legal rights with respect to SSDI are fulfilled. Call our office today to set up your first consultation with a Greenville disability lawyer.

There is no point in taking a risk as far as your SSDI benefits are concerned. There are certain laws in place in Greenville, South Carolina and our social security disability lawyers are here to ensure that these rights are maintained and you receive the benefits if you are eligible for them. Call us now, and our disability lawyers will be happy to assist you.

A disability lawyer in Greenville can help you through the process of securing social security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits when you have received a denial letter. Having a denial of SSDI does not mean your fight for benefits is over. A South Carolina disability attorney will help you through the appeals process. They will advise you of your legal rights as you fight for the SSDI benefits you deserve.

Your social security disability lawyer in Greenville can help you after a denial of benefits. They will guide you through the first step of the appeals process, which is the reconsideration process. Here, you will have your request for disability benefits reviewed again by a third party of the Social Security Administration.

The third party will determine, based on the evidence provided, if your case is eligible for SSDI. The will review your case independently from the decision that was previously made that denied your right to SSDI benefits.

When do I Need to Get a Lawyer Involved?

If your case is denied during the reconsideration process, you will then need your disability lawyer in Greenville, SC to appeal your case. During this process, you will need to have a hearing before an administrative law judge. Your South Carolina social security disability attorney will represent you during your hearing.

An administrative law judge will review your case and all the evidence that is presented by your social security disability lawyer in Greenville. They will make a determination if you should receive SSDI based on the information provided by your attorney.

If your case continues to receive a denial of SSDI benefits, you will need to have a review by the appeals council. During the review, the appeals council will look at your case and determine if the administrative law judge made an accurate decision. They will review all the information in your case or send it back to the administrative law judge for another review.

The last level of appeal is to go to federal court with your case. You would have your case heard before a judge, where your Greenville disability attorney will present all the evidence in your case. Your social security disability lawyer in Greenville, SC will develop a strong case that shows the extent of your disability and eligibility for SSDI.

Working with a social security disability lawyer in Greenville can provide you with the assurance you need to move forward with your appeal. They can help you fight for your right to SSDI benefits. They will take your case through every step of the appeals process if necessary until you do secure benefits for your disability.

Can a Social Security Disability Lawyer in Greenville, SC Fight My Denial of SSDI Benefits?

A social security disability lawyer in Greenville will take your SSDI case after you have received a denial of benefits. They know the appeals process and will represent you in each stage of the appeals process. They can help guide you through the legal process of securing SSDI and advise you of your legal rights.

You do deserve SSDI when you have a disability that is limiting your ability to work. The South Carolina disability attorneys can win your case after a denial of benefits. They know the laws for SSDI and can fight an appeal of your SSDI compensation. Let your social security disability lawyer in Greenville, SC fight for you and your right to SSDI benefits.

Contact a Disability Lawyer in Greenville, SC Now

If you have received a denial of SSDI benefits, you need a disability lawyer in Greenville, SC to take your case. The Greenville social security disability attorneys at J. Robert Surface Attorney at Law can help. They will represent you during the appeals process and fight for your legal right to SSDI. They can advise you of your legal rights and will get you the benefits you deserve for your disability. Let the South Carolina disability attorneys at J. Robert Surface Attorney at Law take your case. Contact us today to set up a consultation. We are ready to assist you now.

Social security disability insurance (SSDI) is a complex program that is difficult for most people to understand. The Social Security Administration has a variety of rules and process that are required to secure benefits. This can be confusing and challenging to understand for anyone. An SSDI attorney in Greenville, SC, can help you with the filing process for SSDI. To make it a little easier to comprehend the laws of SSDI, your Greenville disability lawyers have compiled the most important things you need to know about SSDI here.

Who Can Receive SSDI in Greenville, SC?

SSDI pays benefits to people that are unable to work because they have a disability or medical condition. These conditions need to last for at least a year or will result in death. Social Security Administration has strict definitions of disabilities. Your Greenville disability lawyers will help you understand if you qualify for benefits under the law.

The Social Security Administration also has strict policies in place to obtain benefits under the program. Having a disability lawyer in Greenville, South Carolina, on your side can help. They will help you through the filing process. They will fight to get you benefits, and they will fight an appeal if necessary.

How Do I Apply for SSDI In Greenville, SC?

There are two ways that you can apply for SSDI in South Carolina. You can apply online, or you can apply by calling your local Social Security office directly. When you apply for SSDI by phone, you will need to make an appointment for an interview. The interview will last about one hour, and there is special assistance provided for those that are deaf or hard of hearing.

When Should I Apply for SSDI in Greenville, SC?

Applying for SSDI in Greenville, SC, should happen as soon as you have a disability. The filing process does take some time to complete, and you want to make sure that you receive your SSDI as soon as possible. The Social Security Administration typically takes three to five months to process your SSDI application.

Having Greenville disability lawyers to help you with the filing process can ensure that you receive your SSDI benefits as soon as possible. They will make sure that you have all the required documents for filing and will process your application with the Social Security Administration immediately.

Do I Need to be Working to Apply for SSDI in Greenville, SC?

SSDI requires that you have worked in some capacity for a specific duration of time. During the time that you worked, you paid into the SSDI fund, and this provides you with entitlement to benefits when you develop a disability that prevents you from working.

The Social Security Administration has strict rules about their work policies. Your Greenville disability lawyers can help to determine if you qualify for SSDI based on how long you have held employment.

How Will I Know If My SSDI Benefits are Approved in Greenville, SC?

The Social Security Administration will contact you by mail once your application for SSDI has been approved. The letter from the administration will include your benefit amount as well as the effective date for when you will receive benefits. Your Greenville disability lawyers can calculate your SSDI benefits before filing.

Can a Social Security Disability Attorney in Greenville, SC Help Me?

Having a social security disability attorney in Greenville, SC, can help you receive benefits for your disability. They will walk you through the process of filing and support you if you should receive a denial of benefits.

A disability lawyer in Greenville, South Carolina, will fight for your legal right to SSDI. They will help you receive the maximum benefits for your disability. You can count on a social security disability attorney in Greenville to secure your SSDI benefits. Let your Greenville disability attorney answer all your questions related to SSDI during a consultation and provide you with the information you need to apply for your benefits.

Contact Your Greenville Disability Lawyers Now

If you need help securing SSDI, you need Greenville disability lawyers that you can trust. The Greenville disability lawyers at J. Robert Surface Attorney at Law can help. They will take your case. They will fight for your legal right to benefits. Let the Greenville, SC, social security disability attorneys at J. Robert Surface Attorney at Law take your case. Contact us today to set up a consultation. We are ready to assist you now.

Disability doesn’t just affect the ill or injured person. Loved ones also suffer, especially financially. If the disabled person is unable to earn an income, their children and spouse often struggle. Families don’t usually plan for such circumstances. They don’t even like to think about them. Luckily, your family can benefit if you are eligible for Social Security.

What is Disability Under Social Security?

Under Social Security, the definition of disability is stricter than under some other programs. Social Security only pays for total disability. It does not cover short-term disability or partial disability. The assumption is that families have access to other resources for short-term conditions. These include insurance, savings and workers’ compensation.

The Social Security Administration considers you disabled if:

• You can’t do the work you did before
• You can’t adjust to other work because of your condition
• Your disability is expected to last for at least one year or result in death

How to Qualify for Social Security Benefits, According to Disability Lawyers in Greenville, SC

You must have worked in jobs which allowed you to be eligible for Social Security. Then, you must have a medical condition which meets the above definition. Social Security generally pays monthly benefits to individuals who can’t work for a year or longer because of a disability. You get benefits until you are able to work regularly again.

You must also have worked long enough and recently enough to qualify for benefits. The SSA determines work credits based on your total yearly wages or income from self-employment. Each year, you earn up four credits. The amount of work needed for a credit changes each year. For 2018, you earned one credit for each $1, 320 of income.  You would, therefore, earn four credits when you earned $5, 280.

There is something else you need to consider. The number of work credits you need depends on your age when you become disabled. You generally need 40 credits. You should have earned 20 of them in the last ten years. Younger workers may be able to qualify even though they have fewer credits.

Benefits Your Children Can Receive Under Social Security If You are Disabled

Once you have qualified for disability benefits, your children can also receive benefits based on your record. The eligible child can be your biological child, stepchild or adopted child. If you have a dependent grandchild, they may also qualify.

In order to receive benefits, your child must be unmarried. They must also be:

• Younger than age 18
• A full-time student in grade or lower if they are 18 to 19 years old
• 18 or older with a disability that began before the age of 22

Children’s benefits usually stop at age 18 unless they are disabled or in school full-time. For those still in school, benefits continue until they graduate or two months after they turn 19, whichever comes first.

An adult who developed a disability before age 22 may be eligible for children’s benefits. They receive support when you start getting disability benefits. This is considered a child’s benefit because it is based on the parent’s record. It does not matter if the disabled adult child has never worked. The adult child can be an adopted child, stepchild, grandchild or step-grandchild. They must be age 18 or older and meet the definition of disability in adults.

If you don’t qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance, your disabled children may still be able to get support. They may be eligible for assistance under the Supplemental Security Income program. SSI is for low-income individuals who become disabled. There are specific requirements for qualification. The resources of the entire household are taken into consideration.

The child must meet specific medical requirements for eligibility. They must:

• Have “marked and severe” limitations. These limitations must severely interfere with their ability to function at the level of other children their age.
• Have been disabled for the past 12 months or be expected to be disabled for 12 months. Alternatively, they must have a disability that is expected to result in death.
• Not be working and earning over $1,200 per month.

Disabled children don’t have to prove they won’t be able to work. The SSA will determine whether the child’s limitations are so severe that they need to move to full disability.

Contact Disability Lawyers in Greenville, SC for Assistance

If you are disabled and finding it difficult to get your children covered until Social Security, you need an attorney. At J.Robert Surface, you can get all the advice, guidance and representation you need. Don’t delay in seeking assistance. Contact us today for your first consultation.