Sandy Springs
Social Security Disability Lawyer

When a medical condition leaves you unable to work in Sandy Springs, your financial situation can fall apart quickly. And you may be feeling frustrated because your application for Social Security Disability benefits (SSD) has been denied. You are not alone. 

SSD applications in Sandy Springs are routinely denied because there isn’t enough documentation, there’s a mistake in the paperwork, or the people evaluating the application simply don’t understand your condition. But you don’t have to endure months with no benefits. A Sandy Springs Social Security disability attorney can help.

At John Foy & Associates, we know what the government wants to see in an SSD application. We know how to assemble the documentation and present your case – and we’ve been doing it successfully for over 20 years. We can help with your initial application, appeals, and hearings. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your application.

Is It Easier to Get Social Security Disability with a Lawyer in Sandy Springs?

Yes, in most cases, hiring a Social Security Disability lawyer in Sandy Springs will make your claim easier. Gathering the right documentation and making sure everything is in order can be a very difficult task. Having an attorney to help you through every step of your application could make the difference between a denial and an acceptance.

If your claim has already been denied and you need to appeal it, then that’s even more reason to hire a lawyer. The process of appealing the Social Security Administration (SSA)’s decision is incredibly difficult without a lawyer present to represent you.

If you’re not sure whether it’s worth getting an SSD attorney in Sandy Springs to help you with your claim, you can always get a free consultation with one of our lawyers. Our team will listen to your story, assess your case, and tell you how they can help you secure the compensation you need to support yourself.

How Much does It Cost to Hire an SSD Attorney in Sandy Springs?

Most SSD lawyers in Sandy Springs work on a contingency-fee-basis, which means their fees come out of the initial payout that you receive from your claim. It also means that they don’t get paid unless you do, so there’s no risk of shelling out for an attorney’s fees if you’re not going to get any compensation.

Federal law states that Social Security Disability lawyers cannot charge more than 25% of your past-due benefits or $6,000, whichever is less. That’s so you get the majority of your SSD compensation and greedy lawyers don’t overcharge their clients.

At our law firm, we want to make sure that you get what you need. That’s why we’ve been representing injured clients in Georgia for over 20 years. We offer free consultations to anyone who wants to find out their options and what a Social Security Disability law firm can do for them.

How do I Get Social Security Disability Benefits in Sandy Springs?

SSD payments are part of the federal Social Security Act. The purpose of the act is to make sure that people aren’t forced into poverty simply because they can’t work anymore, whether that’s because they’re retired, injured, or ill. 

SSD payments specifically apply to people who have worked in the past, but now have medical conditions that leave them unable to hold a job. Your SSD income can help you keep a roof over your head, pay your bills, and support your family.

You are entitled to SSD payments because you earned them through working and paying Social Security taxes. Here’s what you need to know:

• SSD is not a government handout. When you were working, you had Social Security taxes deducted from every paycheck. You probably thought you would receive Social Security when you retired, but your disability has forced you to leave the workforce early – and that means you can also collect Social Security earlier than you otherwise would have.
• You can qualify based on ANY disability that keeps you from working. Disabilities include diseases, injuries, or any medical condition that prevents you from doing your job. It does not have to be related to your former job in any way.
• Work history is important. To collect Social Security, you must have paid into the system. In general, you must have worked regularly over the past 10 years, but you may qualify even if your work was part-time or there were times when you were unemployed. 
• You cannot be discriminated against for collecting SSD. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), employers cannot discriminate against those with disabilities. The Supreme Court has ruled that that includes people who are collecting Social Security benefits.

The Social Security Administration evaluates applications and administers the SSD program. In Sandy Springs, the SSA often denies applications even when the applicant should be approved for benefits. To avoid this, it’s best to get a lawyer working on your application or appeal as soon as possible.

How do I Qualify for SSD Benefits in Sandy Springs?

Anyone who used to have a job but can no longer work because of a medical condition should qualify for SSD benefits. But the process ins’t that simple: to get benefits, you must show the SSA that you are eligible. You will need to submit documents to prove the following:

• You have a medical condition that a doctor has diagnosed.
• Your condition is either terminal or expected to last a year or more.
• Because of your condition, you can no longer do your job.
• You also can’t do any other job you’re qualified for.
• Your condition would make it difficult to do other potential jobs.
• Your work history qualifies you for SSD because you have earned enough Social Security “work credits.”
• You have earned at least 20 work credits in the last 10 years.
• If you haven’t earned enough work credits, you have a low income.

Most of our SSD clients meet all of these criteria, and yet many of them have been turned down for benefits because they haven’t submitted enough documentation to convince the SSA.

Will My Condition Count as a Disability?

Many medical conditions can count as a disability, but in most cases, you have to submit documentation to show the SSA that your particular condition is severe enough to keep you from working. 

A few conditions, like kidney failure or terminal cancer, automatically count as disabilities. All you need is a diagnosis and an adequate work history to qualify for benefits.

But for most conditions, the standards are less clear. The SSA has a list of “disabling conditions” – medical conditions that sometimes cause disability, but not always. If you have one of these conditions, you will have to prove to the SSA that you have a serious enough case to prevent you from working. Common disabling conditions include:

• Heart conditions, including heart disease and heart failure
• Low vision and blindness
• Serious neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Mental health disorders
• Severe back pain
• Severe asthma

You can find a full list of conditions in the SSA’s Blue Book. You can still qualify for benefits even if your condition isn’t on the list. However, you will need to present even more documentation to show the SSA the facts about your condition and its severity.

Can I Appeal My Application After It Was Denied?

Yes. An appeal is an opportunity to have your application reviewed again after it was denied. Depending on the reason your original application was denied, we have found that you might actually have a better chance of approval on appeal. 

However, to present a successful appeal, you can’t just resubmit your original application. You must look at the reasons your application was denied and provide the documentation and evidence that will address those issues.

There are multiple levels to the SSD appeals process, and eventually, your case will be heard by a judge rather than an SSA employee. Judges may understand the law more thoroughly and they may be more likely to rule in your favor, especially in a controversial case. 

Eventually, though, you will run through all your appeals and you will not be able to get benefits without starting a new application. By then, many months will have passed with no benefits coming in. That’s why we think it’s best to get a lawyer to help you as soon as possible. 

Talk to a Social Security Disability Lawyer in Sandy Springs for Free

It can be hard to accept the fact that you can no longer work because of your health, and harder still to bear the financial impact. The Social Security disability lawyers at John Foy & Associates want to help you get the benefits you deserve as soon as possible. 

We offer a free consultation to discuss your SSD application and explain what we can do for you. Call us or fill out the form to your right and get your FREE consultation today.