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Seeking benefits after becoming disabled shouldn’t become a full-time job. Unfortunately, detailed paperwork, specific procedures, and the tendency for the Social Security Administration to deny applications can make the process feel overwhelming. A Columbus Social Security Disability lawyer from Berger and Green can represent you through this challenging time and discuss your options for pursuing benefits. Call us now for a free consultation.
If you live in Columbus, Ohio, and have a serious, long-term disability that prevents you from working, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability (SSD). This could include either of the SSD programs—Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income.
If you have questions or need help applying for either of these programs, the Berger and Green Social Security Disability lawyers serving Columbus are here to help. Our team can help you:
We can also handle your appeal, if necessary. Through it all, we use our more than 40 years of experience to support you.
SSD includes two programs that offer disability benefits to those who suffer from qualifying impairments and cannot work because of these impairments. We can help you understand how each of these programs works and which you are eligible for. Alternatively, the Social Security Administration (SSA) offers an online Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool.
The two SSD programs include:
SSDI is a program to help workers whose health prevents them from continuing to work until they reach full retirement age. This program requires you to:
SSDI considers your earned income to ensure you cannot work and earn a living. You can have unearned income—such as investment income and other sources—with no limit. Understanding some of these qualifications can be confusing, and our SSDI lawyers in Columbus can carefully review your circumstances to determine eligibility.
SSI helps those who do not have enough work credits to qualify for SSDI but who are disabled and have an extremely low income and few assets. To be eligible for SSI, you must meet strict income guidelines.
You may see your benefits reduced if you receive financial help elsewhere, such as from someone in your family. If you do not qualify for SSDI but want to explore your other options, our SSI attorneys can go over your eligibility for this program.
In addition to meeting the basic qualifications of each program, known as technical qualifications, you will also need to have medical evidence to prove you suffer from a qualifying disability.
The SSA provides a list of approved medical conditions, including:
These are just a few of the listed conditions, and some that are potentially eligible come with caveats. If your disorder is not listed, you may still be eligible, depending on if you meet certain criteria. The bottom line is proving that you are suffering from a disability that is severe enough to prevent you from working.
If you have questions about this process, our SSD attorneys in Columbus can help determine if your disability qualifies, what is required, and how to access benefits.
In addition to physical conditions, the SSA also recognizes many mental, neurological, developmental, and emotional disorders as qualifying disabilities. These impairments must be severe enough to interfere with your ability to work and meet specific diagnostic and functional criteria. Common mental health conditions that may qualify include:
To evaluate these conditions, the SSA looks at medical documentation and whether your impairment causes extreme or marked limitations in areas such as:
These are known as the “Paragraph B” criteria and are used to determine the functional limitations of your condition.
Your claim will be stronger with psychiatric evaluations, consistent treatment records from therapists or psychiatrists, records of hospitalizations (if any), and medication history. Statements from treating mental health providers describing your limitations are especially helpful.
In cases where applicants have both physical and mental impairments, the SSA considers the combined impact of all conditions to determine if the applicant meets the disability standard.
You do not have to collect this evidence on your own. Instead, you will list contact information for your physicians on your application, and the disability examiner assigned to your case will request your medical records.
The type of medical evidence you need will vary greatly based on your impairment and other factors. Some common types of medical evidence include:
Medical records that span a longer period—known as longitudinal documentation—are especially valuable in showing the progression and severity of your condition. Examiners prefer a well-documented, consistent history of treatment, medications, and follow-up visits.
The SSA may also assess your residual functional capacity (RFC)—your ability to perform work-related activities despite your impairment. The RFC evaluation is based heavily on the medical evidence you submit and may be a deciding factor in whether you qualify for benefits. Personal journals, behavior logs, or employer documentation may also support your claim. A Columbus social security disability attorney can help you understand if you qualify for benefits.
If you live in or around Columbus, OH, the disability attorneys from Berger and Green can help you pursue the SSD benefits you need. We can help you understand your options, answer any questions, and help you apply for benefits.
We know how the process works to determine if you are eligible for benefits and how to navigate the appeal process if they deny your claim.
A key weapon to fighting feelings of frustration or being overwhelmed is knowledge of the process. We can walk you through each step:
Your claim may not require going through all these steps, but whatever form your case takes, we are here to help. If necessary, we will go through the entire disability claims process with you from application to hearing.
You are applying for SSD benefits because of a tough financial situation. We therefore know that you are on a tight budget and worried about how you’re going to pay your bills. We don’t want to be another bill that worries you. As a result, you pay us nothing until you get the benefits you deserve.
The SSA denies a large portion of the claims they receive, and many well-qualified applicants have to rely on the appeal process to get the disability benefits they deserve. If you receive a notice of denial for your initial application, don’t panic, and instead reach out to us right away. We can help you request reconsideration and navigate the appeals process if there is sufficient time to do so.
The appeal process continues even if they deny your claim again during reconsideration. An attorney can represent you every step of the way. The full appeal process includes:
As a part of this process, you may be able to recover back pay back to the date when you initially filed your claim for disability. We can help you understand how much you may qualify for based on the facts of your claim.
At Berger and Green, we are proud of what we have been able to accomplish for our clients when faced with tough SSD cases. Here are some reviews from them:
Applying for Social Security Disability benefits can be overwhelming, and unfortunately, the Social Security Administration denies a large percentage of initial claims. Understanding why these denials happen can help you avoid common pitfalls—and demonstrate why having a knowledgeable Columbus Social Security Disability attorney is so important.
Here are some of the most frequent reasons SSD claims are denied:
At Berger and Green, we understand how discouraging a denial can be. Our team takes the time to ensure your application is complete, accurate, and backed by strong medical documentation. If you’ve already been denied, we can step in to identify what went wrong and guide you through the appeals process with confidence and compassion.
At Berger and Green, our Columbus Social Security Disability lawyers can file your application and go after the federal disability benefits you deserve. Our team will help you navigate the entire process, from understanding the types of benefits available to the application process and, if necessary, navigating the appeal process. Reach out today.