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Applying for your Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits in Cumming is complicated, and many people turn to a lawyer to help them get approved. But not all lawyers do an equal job. Many small time attorneys say they will take on SSDI claims just to drum up extra business—even if they have little or no experience working through the complex Social Security process. If you truly need to get your SSDI benefits approved, you should speak to a dedicated Social Security disability lawyer.
At John Foy & Associates we employ some of the most experienced Social Security disability attorneys in the Cumming area. We have spent more than 20 years representing individuals who were disabled through no fault of their own, and helping them get the benefits they are entitled to. We believe that Social Security disability payments are a right that’s guaranteed to you by law—one that you have paid for out of your own paycheck. We will use our experience and legal knowledge to do everything possible to get your claim approved.
Don’t let your claim get denied when you need it most. Call us at 404-400-4000 and get your free consultation today.
How does Social Security Disability work in Cumming?
SSDI is like an insurance policy. It is guaranteed to all workers by the US government, and was first established in the federal Social Security Act. That law states that if you develop a disability that prevents you from working, you will be given benefits in the form of a payment that helps you pay your bills and take care of those who are dependent on you. It doesn’t matter how the disability happened—it does not need to be work related. If you have worked in the past and can no longer work, you qualify.
But that doesn’t mean the government is quick to hand over your benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is the agency in charge of handling disability claims, and the offices in the City of Cumming are notorious for turning down claims on technicalities or paperwork errors. The SSA requires extensive documentation to approve any claim, and subjects each one to lengthy review process. This is why it’s so important to have a good lawyer help you with your claim.
Who qualifies for SSDI benefits?
In general, any worker who can no longer work because of a medical disability qualifies. The disability can be physical or psychological. But the SSA will want you to prove that you have worked in the past and that your condition qualifies. Some of the factors they will ask you to prove include:
- That you earned enough “work credits” (worked enough hours) under SSA guidelines
- That you have worked recently (20 work credits or more in the past 10 years)
- If you didn’t work enough, or not recently enough, they will ask you to prove you have a low income
- That you have a diagnosed medical condition
- That your medical condition is either terminal, or is likely to last more than 1 year
- That you cannot perform your previous job because of your condition
- That your condition prevents you from adjusting to other work
You will need precise documentation supporting each of these claims.
Are there specific conditions that count as disabilities?
Any condition can qualify, as long as it prevents you from working. It can be an injury or a disease, mental or physical. No matter what condition it is, the SSA will want to determine whether it is a real medical condition and whether it truly prevents you from working. This is where many people run into trouble. Some conditions are easier to prove than others.
Some conditions are already recognized as potentially causing disability. The SSA calls these “disabling conditions.” If you have one of these conditions you will still have to prove that you cannot work, but the process is easier. Examples of disabling conditions include:
- Serious back problems
- Heart problems such as heart failure
- Low vision and hearing loss
- Multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and other neurological conditions
- Mental disorders like clinically diagnosed depression or anxiety disorders
- Severe asthma
- Irritable bowel syndrome
There are many others. You can see a full list here. There are also some very serious conditions, such as terminal cancer or Parkinson’s disease, that get a “compassionate allowance.” Simply being diagnosed with these conditions means you qualify for disability.
However: you don’t have to have any of these listed conditions to qualify. Any illness or injury that prevents you from working can count.
What if my Social Security Disability claim was already denied?
This is extremely common in Cumming. If your claim was already denied, there are two things you should do:
- Speak to a lawyer who has extensive experience with SSDI claims.
- Remain optimistic. Many claims that were initially denied can get approved on a second try.
The SSA offers an appeals process so that claims that were wrongly denied can get approved. This is your “second chance” to get your claim filed correctly. But to be successful on appeal, you will have to fix whatever the SSA believes was wrong with your initial claim. In many cases, claims are turned down simply because you filed the paperwork wrong or left something out. In other cases they want additional proof about your diagnosis, how it affects your work, or both.
When you bring your claim to us, we will find out the reason it was denied and make sure we correct everything. We know how to guide a claim through the appeals process to maximize its chances of being approved.
But remember—if you take your claim through the appeals process on your own and get denied again, you may lose your chance to appeal the claim forever. Speak to a lawyer before you file your appeal.
Speak to a Cumming Social Security Disability Lawyer for Free
If you can’t work, your SSDI benefits could be the difference between keeping a roof over your head and losing it. Don’t get denied for benefits you’ve already earned. The lawyers of John Foy & Associates can help you file your claim correctly and get the money you’re owed. Call us at 404-400-4000 or fill out the form to your right and get your FREE consultation today.
