Social Security Disability (SSD) is a program that was set up to help support those who cannot work because of a disabling condition. Unfortunately, many people in Lilburn and throughout Georgia struggle to get the benefits they need. It can be incredibly frustrating after a denial of SSD benefits, but don’t give up hope. Having a Social Security Disability lawyer in Lilburn look at your claim can make all the difference.
At John Foy & Associates, we can help. We have been helping disabled individuals get the benefits they need for the past 20 plus years. Your application will go through an extensive process before it gets approved or denied. Let us take a look and make sure you have the best chance of getting approved for the benefits you so desperately need.
To get started with a FREE consultation and case evaluation, call us today at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
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How to Apply for Social Security Disability Benefits in Lilburn
Before you apply for SSD benefits, it’s important to understand what the Social Security Administration (SSA) is looking for to approve an application. The SSA is a U.S. government agency that provides Social Security retirement benefits, Social Security Disability benefits, and survivor benefits.
You can apply for benefits in one of three ways:
- Online
- At a local Social Security office
- Over the phone
Before applying, though, you’ll need to make sure your claim includes the following criteria.
Proof of Enough Work Credits
The SSA uses work credits to see if you have worked and paid into Social Security enough. Social Security taxes are taken as a portion of each paycheck, so you have paid into the system if you have worked much at all.
Most people (age 62 and over) need to have 40 work credits with 20 of those being earned in the past 10 years (starting from the year you become disabled). Younger workers will require fewer work credits and fewer years of work. To learn more about work credits for your age, see the SSA’s How You Earn Work Credits.
If you need help identifying whether you have enough work credits, contact a Lilburn Social Security Disability lawyer. They can look at your work history and make sure it is sufficiently demonstrated in your claim.
Proof of a Disabling Condition
Besides having enough work credits, you must also meet the SSA’s definition of a disability. Unlike some other programs, you cannot receive SSD for anything other than a total disability. Partial disabilities are not covered.
You meet the definition of disabled if:
- You have a disabling condition that has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year (or is expected to end in death).
- You cannot perform substantial gainful activity (SGA), which is work that brings in over a certain amount of money per month.
- You cannot do any type of work you used to perform or adjust to another new type of work.
If you meet the criteria above, you have a better chance of receiving benefits. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you will for sure be approved. You’ll also need to provide sufficient proof of your qualifications to the SSA.
Hiring an SSD lawyer in Lilburn is generally recommended from the beginning, as a lawyer will know what the SSA is looking for in a claim. They can make sure that you not only meet the qualifications but also have enough evidence to show you are qualified for benefits.
To get a FREE consultation with one of our Lilburn SSD lawyers, today, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
Information You Should Include in Your Social Security Disability Claim
Here are some of the things you’ll need to provide in your application for benefits.
Personal Information
You’ll need to include information about you like:
- Your full name
- Your Social Security number
- The date and place of your birth
- If you have a spouse (or past spouses), their name, age, birth date, Social Security number, and the date of marriage
- If you have minor children, their name(s) and birthdate(s)
- Your bank information and routing numbers (if you want to receive benefits online)
Past Work Information
To show that you have a sufficient work history and have paid enough into the Social Security system, you’ll need to provide information like:
- How much money you have made this year and the previous year
- The names and addresses of your employer(s) from those years
- Up to five of the previous jobs you had in the past 15 years (ending in the year you became disabled) and the dates you worked them
You’ll also need to include a copy of the Social Security statement you received and any other benefits you are currently receiving or have filed a claim to receive.
Disabling Condition Information
To prove that you have a disabling condition, you’ll need to provide information like:
- The details of your medical condition, including the diagnosis from your doctor
- Names, phone numbers, addresses, and treatment dates for each doctor and/or hospital where you’ve received treatment
- Prescription medications you are taking and when they were prescribed
- Each of your patient ID numbers
- All medical tests you have received and when
- The name and contact information of another person who can be contacted about your disabling condition
Obviously, this is a lot of information to provide. If you’re already dealing with a medical condition that makes life difficult, it can be hard to keep up with all the details. That’s where a Social Security Disability lawyer can be so helpful. They can handle the application details for you.
Talk to a Lilburn Social Security Disability Lawyer for Free Today
At John Foy & Associates, we know how frustrating it can be to seek the benefits you deserve and not know if you’ll be approved. We also know what the SSA is looking for to approve your application. Let us take a look at your case and discuss how we can help during a FREE consultation.
To get started with your FREE consultation, call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online today.
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