Social Security Disability Lawyer in Panthersville

You’re dealing with a health condition that keeps you from working, and the bills don’t stop. If you’re searching for a social security disability lawyer in Panthersville, you want straight answers and real help with SSDI or SSI.

At John Foy & Associates, we help workers, parents, veterans, and self‑employed people in Panthersville and across DeKalb County pursue disability benefits. Our team handles initial filings, reconsiderations, hearings, and federal appeals.

Choose a Panthersville personal injury lawyer from our firm and get the support of The Strong ArmTM. We will review your case for free and there is no charge until we win your case.

Who Qualifies for SSDI and SSI Benefits

SSDI is for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes long enough to earn work credits. You must have a medical impairment that has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, and you can’t perform substantial gainful activity.

SSI is needs‑based. It has the same disability standard but focuses on limited income and resources rather than work history. Children may also qualify for SSI if a severe impairment limits age‑appropriate functioning.

Whether you seek SSDI or SSI, Social Security looks at your symptoms, medical findings, functional limits, and your past work. A disability lawyer can help you match your proof to the Agency’s rules so your file tells a clear, consistent story.

How We Build a Strong Disability Claim

A winning file is detailed, timely, and consistent. We track treatment sources, obtain records, and prompt providers for opinions that address your functional limits. Our Panthersville social security disability attorneys also help complete SSA forms so your statements don’t conflict with your medical notes.

We prepare you for consultative exams and gather non‑medical evidence, such as work records and statements from people who see your daily struggles. For self‑employed claimants, we explain how reduced productivity, extra time, or accommodations reflect work limits.

Medical Evidence That Carries Weight

• Diagnostic proof that confirms the condition, such as MRIs, CT scans, or lab results
• Longitudinal treatment notes from specialists showing persistent symptoms
• Functional capacity evaluations documenting sitting, standing, lifting, and dexterity limits
• Neuropsychological or mental health testing that quantifies cognitive or mood impairments
• Medication side‑effect records and treatment changes due to intolerance
• Third‑party statements describing day‑to‑day limitations at home and in the community

Deadlines and What to Expect After You Apply for Disability

Initial decisions often take several months. If you’re denied, you usually have 60 days to request reconsideration, and another 60 days to request a hearing if reconsideration is denied. Missing a deadline can end your claim unless you show good cause, so quick action matters.

At the hearing level, scheduling depends on the local docket, witness availability, and the completeness of your file. Georgia cases may be heard in person or by video, and both options can work well when your evidence is thorough and timely.

While you wait, keep up with treatment and follow your providers’ recommendations as best you can. Gaps in care or limited testing make it harder for a judge to see how your condition affects work tasks.

Reasons Disability Claims are Denied in Panthersville

Many denials stem from insufficient medical proof. If records are thin, missing key tests, or don’t explain how symptoms limit work, the reviewer may say you can do past work or other jobs. A social security disability lawyer in Panthersville will focus on filling those gaps with targeted evidence.

Other denials happen when earnings exceed the substantial gainful activity limit, when forms are incomplete, or when missed consultative exams leave unanswered questions. We track your file to avoid these traps.

Sometimes the Agency cites “medical improvement” or failure to follow treatment. We address those issues with context, showing barriers like side effects, access problems, or co‑existing conditions that affect compliance and outcomes.

What to Bring to Your Free Case Review

Bring a list of your medical providers with addresses, recent visits, and upcoming appointments. Include medications, dosages, and side effects that affect focus, stamina, or safety. If you have imaging, testing, or hospital discharge papers, those help us move quickly.

For work history, list job titles, duties, dates, and physical demands for the last 15 years. Describe any failed work attempts, reduced hours, or accommodations. Pay stubs or tax records are useful for SSDI; resource and income details matter for SSI.

If you’ve already applied, bring denial letters, SSA forms, and any notices with deadlines. We will map the next steps, whether that’s strengthening an initial claim, filing a reconsideration, or preparing for a hearing.

Panthersville Disability Hearings and Appeals: What’s Next

A hearing is a structured conversation with an Administrative Law Judge. The judge may call a vocational expert and, in some cases, a medical expert. We question those witnesses to make the record match real‑world limits you face in the Panthersville job market.

Before the hearing, we submit a memo tying your records to SSA rules, obtain updated evidence, and rehearse your testimony. You’ll know the flow of questions and how to answer clearly without guessing or exaggerating.

If the judge denies the case, we evaluate an appeal to the Appeals Council and, when appropriate, federal court. Each level has strict timelines, and we handle filings so your case stays active.

How Your Disability Lawyer is Paid

For SSD cases, attorney fees are set by federal rules and typically come from your past‑due benefits, subject to a cap and Agency approval. You don’t pay a fee if we don’t win past‑due benefits.

Case expenses, such as medical record charges or expert reports, are discussed up front. We keep costs reasonable and seek records efficiently so your file has what it needs without surprises.

During your consultation, we’ll explain the fee structure in plain terms. You’ll leave with a clear picture of how a Panthersville social security disability lawyer will help you with next steps and a timeline.

Choose John Foy & Associates for Your Claim

You don’t have to face the Social Security process alone. John Foy & Associates helps local residents file stronger applications, fix denials, and present clear, credible testimony.

If you’re ready to move forward, we’re ready to review your file, outline next steps, and start gathering the proof that supports your claim. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and talk with a Panthersville social security disability attorney about your benefits.