Workers in Sugar Hill who can no longer earn income because of a disabling medical condition can apply for benefits through Social Security Disability (SSD). While many people might meet the qualifications for these benefits, actually getting approved for them is another story. A lot of applicants slip through the cracks and struggle to get the benefits they need. If you need help with your SSD application, contact a Sugar Hill Social Security Disability lawyer today.
There are a number of reasons an SSD application might be denied even if the applicant truly qualifies. At John Foy & Associates, we can take a look at your case and help you improve your chances of getting approved. To schedule a FREE, no-obligation consultation and case evaluation today, call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
Three Points to Understand About Social Security Disability in Sugar Hill
Social Security Disability was established through the Social Security Act on August 14, 1935. It’s meant to protect workers who cannot continue working because of a disabling medication condition. Through SSD benefits, disabled workers can still receive regular payments to help cover living expenses and support themselves and their families.
Here are some of the most important things to know about the Social Security Disability program for workers in Sugar Hill.
1. If You’ve Worked, You’ve Paid Into Social Security
Some people assume that SSD is a government handout, but that’s not the case. If you’ve worked, you have paid into Social Security through taxes on your income. Your employer takes a percentage of your income to go towards Social Security taxes or, if you work for yourself, you pay regular taxes from self-employment income.
If you become unable to work because of a disabling condition, Social Security Disability is your right. You are simply applying for benefits that you have paid into for many years. It’s the same that goes for Social Security benefits you can receive during retirement.
2. You Must Have a Work History
Of course, to be eligible for SSD benefits, you must have paid into the system, which means you must have worked a certain amount in jobs covered by Social Security. We’ll get into the specifics below, but most people qualify regarding their work history if they’ve worked much at all in the past 10 years.
It also doesn’t matter if you have had periods of unemployment. As long as you have worked enough to pay into Social Security, you may qualify.
3. It doesn’t Matter How You Became Disabled
Unlike workers’ compensation benefits that you can only receive for injuries that happen on-the-job, it does not matter how you became disabled when it comes to Social Security Disability. If you have a condition, illness, or injury that has prevented you from working at all, you may qualify for benefits.
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How You Can Qualify for Social Security Disability in Sugar Hill
There are two main criteria you will need to meet before you can qualify for SSD benefits:
- You must have a diagnosed medical condition that completely disables you from working.
- You must have earned enough work credits through Social Security taxes on your income.
What Qualifies as a Disabling Condition
Unlike other programs, Social Security Disability only provides benefits for total disabilities. This means:
- You cannot perform the type of work you were doing before your disability.
- The Social Security Administration (SSA) has determined you cannot adjust to other forms of work.
- Your condition has lasted or is expected to last for at least 12 months (or result in death).
The SSA maintains a Listing of Impairments, listed by body system, that have been considered severe enough to keep someone from gainful employment. (If a child under the age of 18 is applying for benefits, the condition must cause serious limitations on basic functions.) Most of these conditions are permanent.
You do not need to necessarily have to condition listed by the SSA, but they will compare your condition to a similar one on the list when determining if it is considered disabling. You’ll also need to include proof of your medical condition, treatment, and more in your application.
A Sugar Hill Social Security Disability lawyer can help ensure you have the proper documentation to show your disabling conditions.
How to Know If You Have Enough Work Credits
To see if you have paid into Social Security long and recently enough, the SSA uses work credits. You must earn a certain number of wages to earn one work credit and the exact number changes per year. In the year 2020, for example, every $1,410 equals one work credit—up to four credits per year.
Most people aged 62 and older will need 40 work credits, 20 of which were earned in the past 10 years before becoming disabled. Younger workers will require fewer credits to qualify.
How a Lawyer Can Help with Your Social Security Disability Case
To be considered for SSD benefits, you will need to both meet the definition of disability mentioned above and have earned enough work credits. You’ll need to provide sufficient documentation to prove your qualifications, which is why someone can still get denied benefits even if they qualify.
The SSA goes through a strict process when evaluating applications. Thankfully, a Social Security Disability lawyer knows what they are looking for and how to improve applications. If you have been denied benefits or are worried about filing yours in any way, reach out to an experienced lawyer for help.
An SSD lawyer can help sure:
- You are providing the right type of documentation in your application
- There are no paperwork errors in your application
- You go through the appeal process correctly, improving your application in the correct ways
They can also be your biggest ally throughout the process, helping clear up any questions or uncertainties as you seek the benefits you so desperately need.
Talk to a Social Security Disability (SSD) Lawyer in Sugar Hill, GA for Free Today
Don’t wait to get help with your SSD application. At John Foy & Associates, we have been helping applicants get approved for the benefits they need for more than 20 years. Plus, we do not charge a fee unless we win your case.
Call us today for a FREE consultation to discuss your application and how we can help you. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get started.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form