Social Security Disability (SSD) is a type of insurance that provides financial assistance to those are disabled. If you’ve worked long enough and paid into Social Security taxes, these benefits should be available to you and certain family members. However, getting approved for SSD is unfortunately quite difficult in Bainbridge.
Even if you have a disability and have been working for years, it’s not uncommon to get your application rejected. This could be due to the need for more documentation, paperwork mistakes, or errors on the Social Security Administration’s part.
No matter the reason, getting denied the assistance you need and deserve to support yourself and your family can be frustrating and extremely stressful. There is an appeals process you can start after getting denied, but appealing alone is usually not enough.
Whether you’ve applied yet or not, your best bet is contacting a Bainbridge personal injury lawyer who can ensure you submit the details most needed for approval.
At John Foy & Associates, our mission for over two decades has been simple: helping people who are left with less than they need due to injuries or other circumstances.
We’re know how to navigate SSD benefits cases and help our clients provide proof the government is looking for to approve applicants. We can help you put together your application and/or take on your case for an appeal.
If you need help surrounding your Social Security Disability benefits, contact us today for a FREE consultation to talk about the details. Call us at 404-400-4000, or fill out the form to the right to get started with your free consultation.
I’ve Heard It’s Hard to Get Approved for SSD Benefits. What Are My Odds?
Unfortunately, you heard right. But it doesn’t mean you can’t get approved—you just need to go into your application with the right knowledge and legal assistance.
Under the federal Social Security Act, those who have been employed and paid into the Social Security system but are not able to work anymore are guaranteed a Social Security Disability income.
This is known as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and can help the recipient pay for living costs like rent or mortgage, utilities, foods, car payments, and other expenses.
Many people who receive this SSDI are retired, but it also provides benefits to those who can’t work due to a medical condition. When looking to get approved for SSD because of a disability, there are a couple of points to consider:
You Earned SSD Benefits
The payments from Social Security Disability Insurance come from the same place as income received by retirees. You earned these benefits and have a right to SSD if you:
- Worked
- Paid into Social Security taxes
- And can no longer work
You are required to have obtained a certain number of “work credits” within a certain amount of time to qualify: At least 40 total lifetime work credits and at least 20 of those credits must have been earned over the past 10 years.
Work credits depend on income, but you can earn up to four per year. But if you’ve worked much at all within the last 10 years, chances are you meet the requirements. Even if you were unemployed for certain periods or worked part-time, the total work credits are what matter most, so you still may be able to get benefits in these situations.
(That being said, even if you haven’t worked but are disabled, you may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is a separate program).
Benefits Aren’t Limited to one Type of Medical Condition
Any type of disability can qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance. The important is that the disability must prevent you from working. And it doesn’t matter whether the disability happened as a result of an injury, accident, or separate medical condition.
It’s up to the Social Security Administration (SSA) to decide if your condition meets the standard of preventing you from working. They will consider most conditions to be a gray area, with a few exceptions like certain types of cancer or end-stage kidney disease.
If you have what’s considered a “disabling conditions” that leaves you unable to work but you can continue with your normal life, you’ll likely need to provide a lot of information to get approved. Your application will need to demonstrate three main things:
- The condition you have will go on for at least a year or is terminal
- You can’t return to your old job because of the condition
- You aren’t able to do any other type of work with your condition
The bottom line is, what matters most is demonstrating (1) your disability prevents you from working and (2) that you worked enough to claim SSDI benefits.
Atlanta Roots, Nationwide Reach.
Distance is no obstacle. We work with clients across the country and make sure every one of them feels taken care of, no matter how far the call travels.
How does the Social Security Disability Application Process Work?
You apply for Social Security Disability benefits through the SSA. When you apply, you’ll need to include documentation and information about the disabling condition. This includes documents like:
- The diagnosis from your doctor
- A statement from your doctor about your inability to continue work
- Evaluation from an occupational specialist, if applicable
You should also know it’s very common to get your application denied on the first try. Don’t let this discourage you or stop you from applying again. After getting a denial letter, you have the right to appeal.
When appealing, you’ll need to read the reasons for the denial on the letter you receive. This will give you a chance to build a stronger case with more detailed documentation.
A Social Security Disability lawyer can help you prepare and present your appeal as thoroughly and professionally as possible. It’s important to present the best case as soon as you can, since the appeals process can take months. The sooner you can get an approval, the sooner you’ll get your benefits you require.
Talk to a Bainbridge Social Security Disability Lawyer for Free
At John Foy & Associates, we want to help you get approval for the SSD benefits you need to survive and help support yourself and your family. For a FREE consultation with one of our attorneys, contact us today and we’ll discuss your disability case.
Call us at 404-400-4000, or by filling the form to the right of this page to get started with your free consultation.
100% Confidential 
