The Social Security Disability program works differently than other types of disability benefits in Peachtree City. To get approved for benefits, you will need to meet certain qualifications and provide enough information to demonstrate those qualifications. Since many applicants get denied benefits on the first try, it’s best to improve your chances by working with a Peachtree City Social Security Disability (SSD) lawyer from the beginning.
Many lawyers may say they take on SSD cases, but you’ll want to be sure you’re working with someone who truly understands these claims. At John Foy & Associates, we have 20 plus years of experience helping disabled individuals get the benefits they desperately need to support themselves and their families. We can help you, too, starting with a FREE consultation today.
To get started with your FREE consultation and discuss the details of your case, call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online today.
How the Social Security Disability Program Works in Peachtree City
If you become unable to work because of a medical condition or illness, you might have a lot of questions and concerns, including how you will continue to pay your bills if you cannot earn an income anymore. Thankfully, these are the types of situations Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSD/SSDI, was created for.
SSDI is a type of insurance provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA), an independent government agency. SSDI was officially created in 1956, but there was a long history of discussion about this type of system for many years before.
The purpose of SSD is to provide an ongoing, regular income to those who become disabled and unable to continue working. SSD is not a handout; it is provided by Social Security taxes that you’ve likely paid into for all of your working years. Receiving these benefits can help you continue paying for living expenses for you and your dependents.
Two Things Your Peachtree City SSD Application Must Prove
Before you can receive SSDI benefits, you must meet to main qualifications:
- You must have earned enough work credits through Social Security taxes on your income.
- You must have a disabling condition that has prevented or is expected to prevent you from working for at least one year (or is expected to result in death).
In your application, you’ll need to prove each of these criteria. The SSA follows a strict procedure to evaluate each application and ensure an applicant meets the qualifications. Let’s look more closely at each one.
1. Your Work Credits
To qualify for benefits at all, you must have worked jobs that were covered by Social Security. That means a portion of each paycheck would have been taken as Social Security taxes. In addition, you must have earned enough work credits through Social Security.
Work credits you can earn are based on your wages or self-employment income each year. The amount of wages you must earn per credit varies slightly per year. In the year 2020, for example, $1,410 earned one credit. You can earn up to four credits per year.
The number of credits you need to be eligible for SSD depends on how old you were when you became disabled. Most adults need 40 credits with 20 of those earned in the last 10 years before becoming disabled. Younger people will typically qualify with fewer credits. If you need help figuring out your credit requirements, contact a Social Security Disability lawyer in Peachtree City.
2. Your Disabling Medical Condition
You must have a total disability to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. That means that:
- You cannot perform work that you did before.
- You are unable to adjust to another type of work.
- Your disability will last (or has lasted) for at least 12 months or it will result in death.
The SSA has a Listing of Impairments that include conditions they have recognized as disabling. Having one of the conditions on this list does not automatically mean you qualify, but it does mean that the SSA understands it can be disabling enough to prevent you from working.
In addition, if your condition is not on the list, it doesn’t necessarily mean you cannot receive benefits. The SSA would simply see if your condition is as severe as another similar medical condition on their list.
When evaluating your condition, the SSA will ask the following questions:
- Are you working?
- Is your condition considered to be “severe”?
- Can your condition be found on the listing of impairments?
- Are you able to do any work you did before?
- What about performing other types of work?
You will need to pass each question before your application will be considered.
What a Peachtree City SSD Lawyer Can Do for Your Claim
There are many ways a Social Security Disability lawyer can be helpful to your case. In fact, applicants have a better outcome on average if they work with an experienced lawyer. That’s because SSD lawyers know what the SSA is looking for to approve a claim.
A lawyer can help you if:
- You are unfamiliar with the SSD claim process.
- Thinking about the entire process is stressful or overwhelming.
- You have already been denied benefits and need help appealing the denial.
- You’re confused about why your application was denied.
- You want to increase your odds of approval.
- There are certain documents or information you need help obtaining.
A disability can happen to anyone—at any time. The Social Security system was set up to help those who become disabled and suddenly unable to earn the income they desperately need. Don’t miss out on the benefits you have paid into for so many years.
To get help today, speak with an SSD lawyer in the Peachtree City area.
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Talk to a Peachtree City Social Security Disability (SSD) Lawyer for Free Today
Our attorneys are John Foy & Associates have been helping individuals get the Social Security Disability benefits they deserve for the past 20 plus years. Contact us today and we’ll give you a FREE consultation to discuss your situation and how we can help. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get started today.
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