Johnstown Lupus Disability Lawyer

Since many lupus diagnoses are a long time coming, we encourage you not to wait to seek disability benefits in Johnstown, PA. If you expect your immune system condition to affect your work for a year or more, consult Berger and Green’s Johnstown lupus disability lawyer about applying for Social Security disability benefits. We can make the process simpler and advocate for your rights to receive disability benefits. 

An experienced Social Security Disability attorney from Berger and Green can review your benefits options and discuss how we can complete and file your Social Security Disability application. We can tell you the evidence you need to file and how we can lead your appeal if the Social Security Administration (SSA) denies your initial application. Call us today for a free consultation.

Our Lupus Disability Attorneys in Johnstown Know This SSD Process Inside and Out

Our firm has handled thousands of cases involving Social Security Disability (SSD). We’re no strangers to how this works. Our legal experience allows us to translate everything into easy-to-understand terms, from the basics to the more nuanced parts of dealing with the Social Security Administration (SSA). 

We believe in amplifying the voices of people with disabilities. With that in mind, you can check out our client reviews to hear directly from those we have helped:

• “I almost lost everything, and they got me what I deserve.”
• “…from the very first phone call, they helped me through every question that I was asked. All you had to do is be honest and upfront, and they took it away from there.”
• “They were just very compassionate and understanding, and they let me speak.”

We Get You Where You Need to Be to File for Disability for Lupus in Johnstown, PA

Keeping track of everything to file for disability can feel exhausting. Our personal injury attorneys keep you organized and break down the process. We’re with you as you:

1. Check your eligibility for lupus under the SSA’s guidelines.
2. Determine the benefits you need for your disability.
3. Gather information and evidence to complete your claim.
4. Fill out and submit the application, which we will do for you.
5. Collect additional evidence to address any claim denials.
6. Follow the steps of an appeal.
7. Represent you at a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.

You can have lawyers to represent you at all stages of the Social Security Disability process, even if you have filed your application. Alternatively, you can talk to us if you aren’t sure yet if you qualify—take advantage of Berger and Gren’s 40 years of knowledge and experience to find out more about your lupus case. 

Eligibility for Lupus Disability Benefits

One of the first steps our Johnstown Lupus disability attorneys take is reviewing how your autoimmune disorder keeps you from working. When we talk with you, we’ll check for the following:

• Can you engage in any substantial gainful activity (SGA), either paid or unpaid? 
• Do your lupus symptoms prevent you from working in an old job or finding one that accommodates you?
• Has or will lupus affect your ability to work for at least a year or ultimately cause your death?

These are the basic criteria for receiving SSD benefits. If these apply to you, you should learn more about filing for benefits. Call our law office today to start on your claim.

Types of SSD Benefits

Social Security Disability benefits are divided into two types. We can identify which is best for you:

• Have you worked long enough to earn work credits under Social Security to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)?
• Are you under this year’s income and asset limits to qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

You may answer yes to both and qualify for SSDI and SSI at the same time. If so, we can file two separate applications for you, as each benefits program requires different evidence. Our lupus lawyers can also talk to you about the evidence for your Johnstown disability case, like employment history and medical records.

Evidence of Lupus as a Disability

The SSA’s Blue Book provides information on lupus evidence. In many cases, you must provide proof showing your symptoms align with the American College of Rheumatology’s criteria for the condition. However, that’s not always true, so check with our lupus disability attorneys about your Johnstown case.

Generally, some of the evidence you’ll need includes:

• Medical history and timeline
• Records of doctor’s visits
• Diagnostic and laboratory testing and imaging
• Prescription medications and treatments
• Prognosis from your physician

The goal is to show your lupus symptoms interfere with your life significantly enough that you cannot work. We can go over this and other evidence the SSA uses to evaluate and decide your disability benefit claim. 

If SSA Denies Your Benefits Claim

Preparing your application is a multi-step process, but appealing a decision requires several stages. If you receive a denial, we can file an appeal. Those stages are:

1. Reconsideration: A new examiner reviews your application and the additional documentation we provide.
2. Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing: A Judge reviews your claim and any new evidence.
3. Appeals Council review: New examiners analyze your claim to potentially provide approval.
4. Federal district court lawsuit: We file a lawsuit to argue for your case for benefits in court. 

Our Johnstown lupus disability attorneys will take on the work and pursue an appeal, from gathering case-supporting evidence to representing you at your Administrative Law Judge hearing.

Does a Johnstown, PA, Lupus Disability Case Have Filing Deadlines?

Yes. If the SSA denies your claim, you have just 60 days to appeal its initial decision. You must meet all appeal deadlines or start the process again from the beginning. It is important to contact Berger and Green as soon as you find out your initial claim was denied.

However, this isn’t the only aspect of your case with a timeline. Often, people with lupus wait to apply, assuming they have already missed work before applying for disability. 

We don’t want you to wait that long. Although you can’t necessarily be too late to apply for disability benefits, you also aren’t too early to start the appeals process if you expect a chronic condition to keep you out of work. Put simply: don’t wait to file and don’t wait to appeal.

Call Berger and Green About Your Johnstown, PA, Lupus Disability Claim – We’re Ready to Help

Our Johnstown lupus disability lawyer can answer your questions and complete and file your initial claim or appeal, so don’t hesitate to contact our firm today with any questions you may have about getting benefits for your autoimmune disorder. No question about the legal process is too complex. Reach out to our team now.