Many people in Smyrna who have legitimate disabilities still find themselves getting denied Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. To get approved, you will need a strong application proving that you fulfill the right criteria. Your best bet is to work with a Social Security Disability attorney in Smyrna who understands the process and what it takes to get the benefits you need.
At John Foy & Associates, our lawyers have been helping disabled individuals get the benefits they deserve for more than 20 years. The SSD process can be lengthy, complicated, and confusing unless you have extensive knowledge of how it works. That’s where we can help you, starting with a free consultation.
What Is Social Security Disability?
Under the Social Security Act, workers in the United States are guaranteed certain rights if they become disabled. If you have paid into Social Security taxes, as most people who work have. you are entitled to benefits if you can no longer work.
Social Security Disability is meant to provide regular, ongoing income to disabled individuals so they can continue paying rent and other living expenses. After so many years of working, it’s the financial support you deserve to have and ensure you can continue supporting yourself and your family.
It’s important for people to understand that Social Security is not a handout, it’s a program that provides benefits you have paid into all of your working life.
Should I Get a Lawyer for Social Security Disability?
If you’re running into any issues with your SSD application, then you may want to hire a lawyer for Social Security Disability. An attorney can walk through every step of your claim and make sure that you not only understand the process but also have everything you need for a successful application.
If your claim has been denied, then that’s even more reason to hire an SSD lawyer in Smyrna. You can appeal the decision of the Social Security Administration (SSA), but it can be extremely hard if you don’t have a professional to represent you. Denial isn’t the end of the road, but it is an uphill battle.
That’s why it’s worth at least talking to an SSD lawyer about your situation. At your free initial consultation with one of our Social Security Disability attorneys, we will look at your situation and tell you how we can help you secure benefits. You pay nothing upfront, so there’s no reason not to consult with one of our lawyers.
How Much does It Cost to Hire an SSD Lawyer in Smyrna?
When you first hire a Smyrna SSD attorney from our firm, you pay nothing. That’s because our lawyers work on a contingency-fee-basis, meaning that we don’t charge anything unless you get compensation from the SSA. Our payment comes as a portion of your initial payout.
Federal law states that Social Security Disability lawyers cannot charge anything more than $6,000 or 25% of your past-due benefits, whichever one is less. That’s so you can have enough of your compensation to support yourself and your family. After the initial payout, all of your ongoing benefits will go directly to you.
When you first meet with an SSD lawyer, you’ll come to an agreement as to how much of your past-due benefits, meaning what the SSA will initially pay you for your claim, will go towards your legal fees. Once you and your lawyer agree, they will get to work to make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
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What You Need to Qualify for Social Security Disability in Smyrna
To qualify for benefits through Social Security, you must:
- Meet the minimum requirements for Social Security work credits
- Have a medical condition that disables you from working for at least 12 months
It does not matter how you were disabled, and it doesn’t have to be from a work injury. However, you do need to meet the criteria set up by the SSA and be able to demonstrate that you meet them before you have a chance of being approved.
The SSA is unfortunately quick to deny benefits for many people. This could be because the application didn’t provide sufficient evidence of a disability, there were paperwork errors, or something else. It’s best to work with a Smyrna Social Security Disability lawyer as soon as you can to increase your chances of getting approved.
Medical Conditions that Qualify for Social Security Disability in Smyrna
The SSA has a Listing of Impairments with medical criteria that have been recognized as severe enough to cause a disability. They are divided into 14 sections:
- Musculoskeletal system
- Special senses and speech
- Respiratory disorders
- Cardiovascular system
- Digestive system
- Genitourinary disorders
- Hematological disorders
- Skin disorders
- Endocrine disorders
- Congenital disorders that affect multiple body systems
- Neurological disorders
- Mental disorders
- Cancer (malignant neoplastic diseases)
- Immune system disorders
You will need to prove extensive proof of your condition and the fact that it prevents you from working. That includes the last job you did, any past work you perform, and any other lines of work that you could feasibly perform. If the SSA determines you can still work in some capacity, you will be denied benefits.
You will also need to show that your condition will last for at least a year (or result in death). A Social Security Disability lawyer can help you provide the right amount of documentation in your application.
Social Security Work Credits
Besides having a disability condition, you will also need to have earned enough work credits through Social Security to qualify for benefits. You earn work credits after earning a certain amount of wages through working. In 2019, that number is one work credit for every $1,360 in wages or income, up to four work credits per year.
The amount of work credits you’ll need to qualify depends on how old you were when you became disabled. Most people need a total of 40 work credits, and 20 of those credits must have been earned in the last 10 years.
Do Mental Health Conditions Qualify for Social Security Benefits?
You might wonder if you can qualify for Social Security Disability benefits if a mental health condition prevents you from being able to work. The answer is yes, as long as that condition causes you to have a long-term disability and you have enough work credits. There’s a reason “Mental Disorders” is an entire category the SSA recognizes as disabling.
Mental disorders listed on the SSA website include anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders, autism spectrum disorder, depressive and bipolar disorders, eating disorders, and schizophrenia spectrum, and other psychotic disorders.
As with any other disabling condition, you will have to demonstrate that the mental disorder:
- Was diagnosed by a doctor
- Prevents you from being able to work for at least a year
- And prevents you from performing any other type of work
If you are concerned about your mental health condition being taken seriously enough to qualify, contact a Social Security Disability lawyer in Smyrna right away. They can make sure you have the necessary documentation and proof that your condition disables you from working.
Talk to a Social Security Disability Lawyer in Smyrna, GA for Free Now
The Social Security Disability lawyers at John Foy & Associates understand how much you need help supporting yourself and your family. Our SSD attorneys have been helping injured workers get the benefits they need for over 20 years. Whether you haven’t filed an application yet or need to appeal, we’ll be there every step of the way. It’s risk-free to work with us because we don’t take a fee unless we win you the benefits you deserve.
For a completely FREE consultation, call us or contact us online. We’ll review your current status, answer any questions you have, and talk about how we can help you going forward.
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