Are you suffering from a serious and debilitating illness or injury that is preventing you from being able to work? Are you confused about the process of filing for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits?Are you wondering about Social Security Disability eligibility? Contact us for answers to these and all of your Social Security Disability qualification questions.
Insurance Law For Social Security Disability
Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income are federal programs that are administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Federal law and regulations define all aspects of these programs.
The Social Security Administration administers two separate federal income support programs for people with disabilities: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Although there are differences between the two programs in terms of both the purposes and eligibility requirements, both require the claimant to meet a statutory definition of disability. In the most general terms, an applicant must be able to prove that he or she has a medically determinable inability to do any substantial gainful activity for a sustained period of time.
If one receives a denial of eligibility for Social Security Disability, there is an appeals process. If it has been decided that you are not eligible for Social Security Disability benefits, you have 60 days from the date of the denial letter to request an appeal.
There are four levels of appeal in most states:
- Reconsideration
- Hearing by an administrative law judge
- Review by the Appeals Council
- Federal court complaint
If you are faced with a Social Security Disability problem; and have questions about your Social Security Disability claim; or if you are faced with a denial, you need experienced advice from a law firm that knows and understands all aspects of the Social Security Disability laws: contact The Law Offices of Jeffrey A Rabin & Associates, Ltd. .
While for some law firms SSDI and SSI are marginal parts of their practice, at the law firm of The Law Offices of Jeffrey A Rabin & Associates, Ltd. , it is our practice and we in securing assistance for our clients who are in need of SSDI or SSI benefits.
At the law firm of The Law Offices of Jeffrey A Rabin & Associates, Ltd. , located in Des Plaines, Illinois, and serving SSDI and SSI claimants in Chicago, Illinois, and nationally, we understand that in addition to knowledge and experience, clients also need a comfortable and respectful environment in which to discuss their Social Security Disability concerns. That is why we always strive to provide an effective, compassionate and aggressive representation for all of our clients. Contact us so we can assist you in pursuing your Social Security Disability claim!
Representing Disabled Claimants Nationwide At All Levels Of The Social Security Disability Claims System For More Than 50 Years!
Are you suffering from a serious and debilitating illness or injury that is preventing you from being able to work? Are you confused about the process of filing for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income benefits (SSI)?
Then you need experienced advice from a lawyer who knows and understands all aspects of the Social Security Disability programs: contact The Law Offices of Jeffrey A Rabin & Associates, Ltd. For some law firms SSDI and SSI are a marginal part of their practice, at the law firm of The Law Offices of Jeffrey A Rabin & Associates, Ltd. , it is our practice and we focus only in securing assistance for our clients who are in need of SSDI or SSI benefits.
We know you probably have many questions, so the purpose of this page is to provide some answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding Social Security Disability:
What Is Social Security Disability?
The Social Security Administration administers two separate and distinct federal income support programs for people who are disabled:
Although there are differences between the two programs in terms of both the purpose and eligibility requirements, both disability programs require the applicant to meet a statutory definition of disability. In the most general terms, an applicant must be able to prove that he or she has a medically determinable inability to do significant, gainful activity for a sustained period of time.
What Are The Differences Between SSI And SSDI?
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are available for those who have worked and paid FICA taxes for a sufficient number of quarters, and who are suffering from medical impairments that make it impossible for them to sustain any type of work activity. Basically, for SSDI you must have paid FICA taxes while working for 10 years in your life, and for five of the 10 years prior to the date that you become totally disabled.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are available for people who are totally disabled and who are “indigent.” Indigence is based upon your assets and income and essentially means that you have no money coming into the household other than child support or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits for children, and for a single person, less than $3,000 in assets not counting your house and one car. The base SSI grant is reduced if you are living with someone who is paying the rent for you.
What Are The Eligibility Requirements?
Social Security Disability benefits are often available to people who are suffering from medical problems that produce symptoms so severe that they cannot perform any type of work. The Social Security Act requires medical proof documenting the inability to work for a period that has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months, or result in death. This is the basic requirement for the two disability programs, SSDI and SSI.
How Can I File A Claim For Social Security Disability?
There are a number of ways to start a Social Security Disability claim. You can contact our law firm for a free brochure describing the application process, and we can explain to you in greater detail how to file for Social Security Disability.
If your claim is only for SSDI, you can file on the Social Security Administration’s website at http://www.ssa.gov/. If your claim is for both SSDI and SSI, or for SSI only, you must either go to your local Social Security District Office or call SSA at 800-772-1213.
Our lawyers prefer to be retained as soon as you have filed your application. Statistics show that people with quality representation have a greater chance of having their application approved. Our experience shows that the earlier in the process we get involved, the stronger the claim. Contact us and we can inform you about the Social Security Disability Guidelines and how they apply to your case.
How Long Does It Take For My Claim To Be Processed?
We urge you to contact us now because the backlogs are serious at all levels of the application and review process. The severity of the backlog varies nationwide. While the Social Security Administration is working on this problem, it can easily take as long as 18 months to go from initial application to an administrative law judge hearing. So, time is of the essence if you are to receive benefits. Contact us today!
What Can I Do If My Social Security Disability Claim Has Been Denied?
Most claims are denied because the medical proof is not sufficient to prove that you are totally disabled. This could be because you are not seeing the proper specialists, because of inadequate medical records, because the doctor does not understand the legal requirements, or because the Social Security Administration’s reviewers misinterpreted the medical records. The SSA rarely denies that you have a medical diagnosis, or that you are impaired, but does deny that you proved the legal requirement of being “totally disabled.” Our lawyers and staff work with our clients’ medical providers to make certain that the medical proof is as strong as possible.
What Is The Social Security Disability Appeals Process?
If you have received a denial of benefits notice, there is a Social Security Disability appeals process. As with any governmental process, there are certain procedures one must follow. According to the Social Security Administration, if you wish to appeal, you must make your request within 60 days from the date of the letter informing you of the denied claim.
There are four levels of appeal in most states. They are as follows:
- Reconsideration
- Hearing by an administrative law judge
- Review by the Appeals Council
- Federal court complaint
Do I Need A Social Security Disability Lawyer?
Having an attorney at any stage of the process of filing your claim for Social Security Disability benefits greatly enhances the probability of having the claim accepted. The statistics show that far more claims are awarded when the claimant has an experienced attorney and almost every administrative law judge will tell you that he or she prefers claimants to be represented.
While for some law firms SSDI and SSI are marginal parts of their practice, at the law firm of The Law Offices of Jeffrey A Rabin & Associates, Ltd. , it is our practice and we focus solely in securing assistance for our clients who are in need of SSDI or SSI benefits.
How Can I Afford To Pay For A Lawyer?
If you have hesitated to obtain legal counsel to assist you in the process of filing your Social Security Disability claim because you have been afraid that you cannot afford the fees, then hesitate no longer! In Social Security Disability cases, attorneys’ fees are regulated by federal statute and are paid when you get paid, as part of your initial award.
We work on a contingency fee basis — that means no money up front and no hourly fees. The Social Security Administration must approve our fees, and we file our fee agreement with SSA in every case. Contact us today so we can assist you in pursuing your claim for Social Security Disability benefits.
At the law firm of The Law Offices of Jeffrey A Rabin & Associates, Ltd. , located in Des Plaines, Illinois, and serving SSDI and SSI claimants in Chicago, Illinois, and nationally, we understand that in addition to a knowledgeable and experienced attorney, clients need a comfortable environment in which to discuss their concerns. We always try to provide an effective, compassionate and aggressive representation for our clients. Contact us so we can assist you in pursuing your Social Security Disability claim.
