When you suffer from a disability that prevents you from working, you may be entitled to Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. The types of benefits you could receive may depend on your financial situation or your work history. We assist with various SSD programs, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Disabled Widows and Widowers Benefits, and Disabled Adult Child Benefits
In all cases, our Auburndale Disability Lawyers help you to prove that you meet the Social Security Administration’s definition of “disability.”
Your Auburndale Disability Lawyers at Brooks Law Group
Proving that you qualify for SSD benefits can be a complicated and time-intensive process. That is why it is critical that you have the assistance of a compassionate and knowledgeable SSD lawyer. They can help you put together a persuasive application that gives you the best chance of receiving the benefits you need.
The knowledgeable team of Auburndale Disability lawyers at Brooks Law Group is standing by to help. Contact our team today to schedule a free consultation.
For a free legal consultation with a Personal Injury lawyer serving Auburndale, call 800 529 3030
Types of SSD Benefits
The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides four different benefit programs for individuals with disabilities:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) – Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, are benefits for qualifying disabled individuals. These individuals need to have worked for a certain minimum amount of time over a certain period. In general, this means at least five out of the last 10 years. Younger applicants may have lower thresholds since they have shorter work histories.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, are benefits that are paid to disabled individuals who have lower levels of income and little or no assets, regardless of whether the individual has worked in the past.
- Disabled Widows and Widowers Benefits – Disabled widows and widowers are entitled to receive Social Security benefits. The amount is based on their deceased spouse’s earnings record, starting at age 50. A provision is that their disability started before or within seven years of their spouse’s death.
- Disabled Adult Child Benefits – A disabled adult child is entitled to receive benefits. They are based on their parents’ earnings records, provided the child was disabled before age 22 and continues to remain disabled.
The requirements to prove disability are the same for each of the four programs.
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What Is the Difference Between SSDI and SSI?
While it may seem like there is little distinction between SSDI and SSI, the primary difference between the two programs is that SSDI is available to workers who have accumulated sufficient work credit to be eligible for that program. It is not means-tested, meaning you can qualify even if you have money in the bank.
Conversely, SSI is available to individuals who have never worked or have not earned sufficient work credit to be eligible for SSDI. However, applicants for SSI must have less than $2,000 in assets and limited or no income. Disabled individuals who receive SSI are also eligible for Medicaid and, in most states, food stamps.
Under SSDI, a recipient’s spouse and dependent children can receive partial benefits, sometimes called auxiliary benefits. Finally, in general, SSDI applications have a higher approval rate than SSI benefits, since SSDI applicants are more likely to have regular access to healthcare that allows them to demonstrate their disability.
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Social Security’s Definition of Disability
The SSA defines disability as being unable “to engage in any substantial gainful activity (SGA) because of a medically-determinable physical or mental impairment that is expected to result in death or that has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months.”
The SSA has a separate definition of disability for children, considering a child disabled if he or she is under the age of 18 and “has a medically-determinable physical or mental impairment or combination of impairments that causes marked and severe functional limitations, and that can be expected to cause death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.”
The SSA uses the term “substantial gainful activity” to describe a qualifying level of work activity and earnings. The SSA considers work to be “substantial” if “it involves doing significant physical or mental activities or a combination of both.” Work does not need to be performed on a full-time basis, as part-time work can also qualify as SGA. Work is considered “gainful” if it is one of the following:
- Work performed for pay or profit
- Work of a nature generally performed for pay or profit
- Work intended for profit, regardless of whether profits are earned
The SSA uses baseline monthly earnings to create a presumption of SGA. As of 2018, for a disability other than blindness, average monthly earnings of at least $1,180 could generally demonstrate SGA. For blindness, average monthly earnings of at least $1,970 could meet this threshold.
The SSA further defines a “medically-determinable impairment” as an impairment that results from “anatomical, physiological, or psychological abnormalities that can be shown by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques.”
The SSA expressly notes that medical evidence must show a physical or mental impairment. Statements about an individual’s symptoms are insufficient to establish an impairment.
How to Apply for SSD Benefits
You can apply for SSD benefits by one of two methods. You may either file an online application at the SSA website, or you can call the SSA’s toll-free number to make an appointment at your local SSA office to fill out an application or to have a staff member call you back to take your application information over the phone.
If you choose to fill out an application at an SSA office or over the phone, the process takes approximately one hour.
Before filing for SSD benefits, you should talk with our Winter Haven disability benefits attorneys to find out how we can help you put together a strong application.
How Long Does It Take to Receive SSD Benefits?
Assuming your application is approved at the initial stage of consideration, it can take anywhere between 30 and 90 days to receive a decision on your application and start receiving SSD benefits. The exact length of time can vary depending on how long it takes the SSA office to receive your medical records, income information, and other evidence it needs to consider your application.
If your application is denied at the first stage, it can take much longer to obtain an approval of your application. Assuming you must take your claim to the end of the administrative process, it can take as long as three to five months, or even longer depending on the backlog of claims being appealed from an initial denial.
What to Do If Your SSD Application Was Denied
If your SSD application is denied, do not worry. Most applications are denied at the first stage of consideration, and many are later proven to be valid.
If your application is denied at the initial stage, your next step is to file a request for reconsideration of your application. During reconsideration, the office where you submitted your application will review your application again, along with any new information you wish to submit to the reviewer. As a result, very few applications are approved at the reconsideration stage.
If your application is denied both at the initial and reconsideration stages, your next step is to file a request for a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). The hearing is not like a trial. It is instead far more informal, where a medical expert and a vocational expert will testify as to whether you have a disability under the SSA regulations and whether you may still be qualified to perform other kinds of work. You may present your own witnesses, along with any new evidence or information that you believe has changed your situation since your initial application.
If the ALJ denies your application, you can appeal to the Appeals Council, which is a panel of other ALJs not previously involved in your hearing. The Appeals Council’s review is limited to determining whether the first ALJ’s decision has support in the record and properly applied the law. If they decide the decision was erroneous, they can either correct the error or send your case back to the ALJ to correct any errors.
If your application is still denied at this point, your last course of action is to file a civil suit in federal court.
Let Our Winter Haven Social Security Disability Lawyers Help
If you are attempting to apply for SSD benefits or appeal a denied application, you don’t have to navigate the process on your own. Many applications for benefits are approved on reconsideration or appeal when the applicant obtains the help of a lawyer who can draft a more organized and persuasive benefits application.
Having an attorney help you through the application process could give you a better chance at receiving approval and being paid benefits. Don’t go one extra day without critical SSD benefits. Contact Brooks Law Group Winter Haven SSD lawyer today to schedule a consultation and discuss your claim in further detail.
Directions to Our Winter Haven SSD Law Firm
Our Winter Haven, FL law office serves many of our Social Security Disability clients. Our office is conveniently located at 1401 Havendale Boulevard NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881.
- Coming from the north: Traveling south on U.S. 27, get onto U.S. 17 south at the interchange. Stay on U.S. 17, then turn right onto Havendale Boulevard NW. Our office is located on the right.
- Coming from the south: Traveling north on U.S. 98, get onto U.S. 17 north at the interchange. Follow U.S. 17, then take a left onto Havendale Boulevard NW. Our office is located on the right.
- Coming from the east: Traveling west on Interstate 4, take Exit 55 for U.S. 27 south. Follow U.S. 27, then go south on U.S. 17 at the interchange. Stay on U.S. 17, then turn right onto Havendale Boulevard NW. Our office is located on the right
- Coming from the west: Traveling east on Interstate 4, take Exit 41 for Polk Parkway (toll road). Take Exit 17 for U.S. 92 east, then turn right onto Havendale Boulevard. Our office is located on the left.
Feel free to contact our personal injury lawyers at Winter Haven, FL office for specific directions from your location.
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