Social Security Disability benefits are the lifeline of millions of people with disabilities across the United States. Every year, many more apply for these benefits. The application process is somewhat complex and many people end up submitting incomplete or incorrect applications. This and many other reasons can lead to a denied disability claim by the Social Security Administration (SSA).

According to SSA, only about 28% disability claims are awarded at the initial level on average. After subsequent appeals, this number goes up to 45%. So a large number of claims are initially rejected but later approved once they meet the requirements set forth by SSA. If your disability claim is denied, an experienced social security disability lawyer can help.
Here are the 7 top reasons why a disability claim is denied.

1. You Earn More

There is no limit on unearned income or assets when you are applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. However, if your earned income exceeds a certain limit, you may not qualify for the benefits. For 2019, SSA has set this limit at $1,220 for disabled persons and $2,040 for blind applicants. If your monthly earned income exceeds this amount, SSA may turn down your SSDI claim.

2. You Didn’t Provide Relevant Medical Evidence

Relevant medical evidence is the most important part of your SSDI application. This evidence is used by the SSA to judge whether or not you qualify for the SSDI benefits. Many applicants fail to provide relevant and complete medical records that pertain to their disability, and this leads to an application denial. Completeness of medical records means that they must demonstrate not only your injury but also how your injury interferes with your work. Notes, recommendations or general comments from your primary care physician can be very useful in this regard and should be included in the application.

3. You Didn’t Follow Prescribed Treatment

If you do not follow the treatment prescribed by your doctor, your claim will likely be denied. One reason is simply because it shows that either your disability is not serious enough or that you don’t need medical treatment to manage it. Another reason is that because without proper medical treatment and records, SSA is in no position to judge your disability claim.

4. You Didn’t Comply With SSA Medical Exams

SSA may require you to undergo medical examination by a recommended third-party medical expert. Once you submit your application, the examination will be scheduled at a specific day and hour. If you fail to show up for the examination, your claim will be denied. Again, SSA requires this to ascertain the nature and degree of your disability. Without this vital information, SSA is in no position to judge you and will turn down your claim.

5. Your Last Claim was Rejected

Many SSDI applicants tend to file new claims after a previous claim was rejected. If you do this, your claim will be rejected. This is simply because the SSA reviewers will see the previous claim and note that you didn’t appeal it. So the right course is to appeal the claim that had been rejected instead of filing a new one. This will significantly improve your odds of success. However, it is important to determine what caused the original rejection and then remedy the causes before you appeal the verdict.

6. Your Disability Isn’t Serious Enough

SSDI benefits are available only to those who are genuinely in need of it. SSA clearly defines what qualifies as a disability. According to the agency, your disability must be serious enough to prevent you from working for at least 12 months. It must also be serious enough to prevent you from undertaking any serious gainful activity. If these conditions are not met, your disability benefits claim will be turned down.

7. You Don’t Have Enough Work Credits

In order to qualify for SSDI benefits, you must have earned a certain number of work credits. For most applications, SSA requires that they have at least 40 credits with 20 of these credits earned in the last 10 years. In 2019, you earn one credit for every $1,360 you earn. However, you can earn a maximum of four work credits per year. If you don’t have sufficient credits, your claim will likely be denied.

How can Disability Lawyers in Columbia, SC Help You?

The disability application and claims process is fairly long and complex. As shown above, you must meet a number of requirements and follow a set procedure. It is best to hire a disability lawyer when you are filing the application. A qualified attorney will help you meet all the requirements and conform to any other requests made by SSA.

Fining Disability Attorneys in Columbia, SC

Here at J. Robert Surface law firm, we have many disability lawyers in Columbia, SC. Our attorneys can help you during the initial application process as well as when filing an appeal against a claims denial. If your claim has been denied, it is important to reach out to us and initiate the appeals process as soon as possible. Contact us today to book a FREE consultation with our attorneys and discuss your case in detail.

A child with a disabled parent has to face certain difficulties. If the disabled parent is unable to earn regular wages, the child has no means for food, education and health. This is why Social Security Administration (SSA) awards auxiliary social security benefits for children who have parents with disabilities.

If you qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), this means that your disability is recognized by the SSA authorities. Once the disability is recognized, you can further seek auxiliary benefits for your children. This is vitally important because the regular SSDI payout is only going to cover your expenses, not those of your children. To cater to your children, you must pursue the auxiliary benefits. A social security disability lawyer can help with this.

What Are Auxiliary Social Security Benefits?

Auxiliary benefits are the SSA benefits awarded to a child with disabled parents. As a disabled parent is unable to earn wages or otherwise take comprehensive care of a child, SSA benefits support the child when it comes to health, education and food.

Typically, auxiliary benefits awarded to a disabled parent’s child are 50% of the parent’s monthly SSDI benefits. For instance, if a disabled parent takes home $2,000 in SSDI payments per month, the child is awarded $1,000. The higher the SSDI payment of the disabled parent, the higher is the amount of award for the child.

If you are a disabled parent with many minor children who need support, all the children can apply for auxiliary benefits. However, the Maximum Family Benefit (MFB) cap applies in this case. According to SSA rules, MFB can’t be more than 150% of the SSDI payout of the disabled parent. If a disabled parent qualifies for $2,000 in monthly SSDI monthly, the total MFB is then $5,000. This means that in addition to the parent’s payout, the family can seek up to a maximum of $5,000 in SSA benefits.

Requirements for Auxiliary Social Security Benefits

The basic requirement for a child to qualify for auxiliary benefits is to have a disabled parent. As a disabled parent, you must be receiving SSDI payments before your child can apply for benefits. This is because SSDI payments guarantee that your disability is recognized and accepted by the SSA authorities.

In addition, a child must meet these requirements to qualify for auxiliary benefits:

• The child must be a minor. In SSA rules, this means he or she must be 18 or younger.
• If the child is a full-time student, the age limit is relaxed to 19 years.
• The child must be unmarried.
• The child must be financially dependent on the disabled parent, with no independent source of income.

Survivor Benefits

If a disabled parent receiving SSDI payments dies, a minor child can claim SSA benefits on the parent’s record. This is applicable where the minor is directly dependent on the parent. Typically, a surviving minor child can claim up to 75% of the SSDI payment received by the deceased parent. Once the claim is accepted, the child can continue to receive this payment until 18 to 19 years old.

How to Apply for Auxiliary Social Security Benefits?

You need to apply for auxiliary benefits of your child with the relevant documents. As a disabled parent applying for benefits, you will need to provide your Social Security number as well as that of your child. In addition, you also need to submit the child’s birth certificate. If you are applying for survivor benefits of a minor child, the application must include proof of the parent’s death as well.

Auxiliary benefits typically come to an end at the 18^th birthday of the child. The only exception is when the child is a full-time student at a secondary school, in which case benefits continue until the child is 19. If the latter is the case, you need to provide your child’s statement of attendance to the SSA authorities three months before your child’s 18^th birthday.

Why Do I Need an SSI Lawyer for Children?

If you are a disabled parent receiving SSDI benefits, your children may qualify for social security benefits as well. A qualified SSI lawyer can help you apply for these benefits at the earliest and receive the maximum payout. With an attorney’s help, you can prepare an application that has better odds of acceptance with the SSA authorities.

Hiring Disability Lawyers in Greenville SC

Here at J. Robert Surface Attorney at Law, we have helped countless disabled Greenville parents seek SSI benefits for their children. We understand that it is hard to support your children as a disabled father or mother. This is why our attorneys do their best to get you the benefits you and your children desperately need. Contact us today to discuss your case and let us apply for your child’s SSI benefits at the earliest. You can also book a FREE consultation with our attorneys at any time.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is one of the key government programs in the United States that helps people with disabilities. SSDI benefits help people who can’t find adequate employment due to an inability to make ends meet every month. To ensure transparency and integrity of the program, the state and federal authorities thoroughly scrutinize every SSDI application. This is done to ensure that no one defrauds the system to unfairly gain SSDI benefits. Unfortunately, this also means that many valid SSDI claims get rejected every year. One of the key reasons behind this is simply because a claimant doesn’t fulfill all the paperwork requirements. Mistakes like this can be easily remedied and you can then apply for an appeal against the denial. A disability lawyer in Columbia can help with the appeal process.

If your SSDI claim has been denied, don’t lose heart. Around 65% SSDI claims are initially denied. A huge number of SSDI claims get accepted the second or even the third time around after you appeal the denial. You should follow these steps when you face an SSDI claims denial.

Understand the Reasons for Denial

As stated above, the bulk of SSDI claims are turned down because of incomplete documentation. The medical records are incomplete, the employment records haven’t been included or you simply missed out another piece of vital documentation.

If your claim has been denied, you should seek the reasons for the denial. If the denial is because of missing information or documents, you can immensely improve your chances of success by submitting these documents. Important documents for the SSDI application include medical records, employment records as well as the Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) form.

Appeal the Decision

You may be tempted to file a second or even a third disability application. Don’t. Your claim has a far better chance of being accepted if you appeal against the initial denial. Such an appeal is made by filing a request for reconsideration of your SSDI application.

If you are unclear about the reasons of your initial denial, you should contact a qualified social security attorney before you file for appeal. The attorney will look into your case, review your application and pin down the flaws or gaps in the application. If there is missing information or other problems with the application, the attorney will also help you sort them out before filing an appeal.

Once an appeal has been filed, the next step is the hearing. Again, you have far better odds of success at a hearing if you have the help of an attorney on your side.

Attend the Hearing

The appeal against your SSDI claims denial is heard by an administrative law judge. At this appeal, you are given an opportunity to explain why you deserve disability benefits. You can bring your own witnesses to the hearing and present evidence to support your claim. You will also be cross-examined by medical and vocational experts. This examination is done to determine the extent of your medical and vocational limitations.

It is critically important to prepare for the hearing well in advance. The hearing will be your golden chance to have the initial denial overturned. This is why you will need all the legal help and advice at this stage. You should consider hiring a social security disability lawyer before the hearing.

Wait for the Verdict

After you appear before the administrative law judge, a decision is made about your SSDI claims application. The judge can either award you the benefits or uphold the initial denial. If the latter is the case, your review application goes to an Appeals Council. This Council will review your entire case and see if the administrative judge made the right decision.

Based on its assessment, the Appeals Council may then confirm the denial, overturn it or send your application back for reconsideration.  You have little role to play at this stage as the Council will not consider any new evidence or listen to new testimony.

How Can a Disability Lawyer in Columbia, SC Help You?

When you face an SSDI claim denial, you need to understand the reasons behind the denial. The next step is to resolve the causes and then appeal against the denial. This entire procedure is fairly complex and delicate. If you don’t suitably prepare for the appeal and the subsequent hearing, you may be in for a second disappointment. This is why you need the help of a disability lawyer to resolve problems with your SSDI application and prepare for the hearing.

Finding a Disability Lawyer in Columbia, SC

Here at J. Robert Surface Attorney at Law, we have been handling SSDI claims cases for years. We help SSDI applicants seek the benefits they deserve by filing well-prepared applications. If your application has been turned down, contact our experienced lawyers today. You can discuss your case in a FREE consultation with our attorneys and gear up for the appeals process.

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.