Akron Chronic Pain Disability Lawyer

If you are living with chronic pain from a diagnosed health condition, our Akron chronic pain disability lawyer can help you apply for Social Security Disability (SSD) or challenge a denial of these benefits. Our team will help you decide which program, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), is the right for your needs.

When you work with an Social Security disability lawyer from Berger and Green, you have more than 40 years of experience working for you. We know what it takes to fight a denial and get our clients approved for disability benefits. Learn more during a free consultation. Call us today to get started. 

Berger and Green can help you (and how Berger and Green can help you)

At Berger and Green, our lawyers work based on contingency. We do not ask disability claimants to pay upfront attorney’s fees. We work only for a portion of your past-due benefits or back pay. The attorney fee amount is set by the Social Security Administration.We will answer any questions you have about your claim or our services, including the fees you will pay if we secure benefits for you. If your claim for benefits is unsuccessful you do not owe an attorney fee. 

Berger and Green has fought for the best interests of our clients for over 40 years. We know what the Disability Determination Services representative will look for and provide the appropriate information about your doctors and other medical providers.

Our team understands how important disability benefits are to our clients living with chronic pain. We fight for SSDI and/or SSI for our client at every stage, including the application or appeal. Contact us today to learn how we can go to work for you.

Your Akron Chronic Pain Disability Claim Must Show You Are Unable to Work

While the Social Security Administration has the “Blue Book,” a list of impairments that could qualify you for Social Security Disability benefits, chronic pain is not an included condition. Instead, your claim must be based on the condition that causes your serious, ongoing pain. Some common examples include back injuries, inflammatory arthritis, neurological disorders, inflammatory bowel disease (IBS), and kidney failure. 

The SSA includes a list of evidentiary requirements based on all of these conditions and others that can cause chronic pain. However, the bottom line is that you must prove that the disability is so severe it keeps you from working and earning a living. The way this works with your claim is: 

• You include key information about your doctors and care providers on the application
• A Disability Determination Services representative contacts your medical care providers to learn more about your condition
• The SSA reviews your medical treatment and care, which is essential to your claim
• A representative may ask you to attend additional appointments for an evaluation
• The SSA will determine you have proven your pain prevents you from working based on the information they have

Unfortunately, many applicants receive a denial based on their initial claim for Social Security Disability. When this occurs, our disability lawyers serving Akron, Ohio, are here to help you challenge the denial. 

Our Akron Disability Lawyers Can Help You Understand the Social Security Disability Programs

Social Security Disability consists of two separate programs with different purposes and criteria. Both require the same medical qualifications but differ otherwise. These two programs are:

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

SSDI helps workers make ends meet when their diagnosed medical condition prevents them from working and earning a living. This program has no income limits, but you likely will not qualify if you earn more than the substantial gainful activity limit set by SSA. For 2025, this limit is $1,620 per month. You must also have earned enough work credits to qualify.

Credits can be confusing to figure out. Perhaps you’re not sure if you worked jobs that gave you credits, or you are not sure if you have enough based on your age and work history. Our team can help you figure out if you qualify for these benefits and advise of your options.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

SSI is designed to help those who have low income and few assets. Claimants do not need work credits for this program. However, they must meet strict household income and asset limits. 

Our Akron Chronic Pain Disability Lawyers Represent Clients Throughout This Process

Berger and Green can help clients apply for benefits or appeal a denial if they do not receive approval based on their initial application. Our Akron, Ohio, disability lawyers know how the process works to challenge a denial. We represent clients during this process regularly. 

If you filed your claim on your own and received a denial based on your initial SSDI or SSI application, contact us as soon as possible. There is a limited time to request reconsideration of your application. This is the necessary first step in the appeals process. 

The four possible steps to challenge an SSD denial include: 

• Reconsideration: While reconsideration is a required step in the appeals process, many clients may need to go further in this process. This step is a review of the claim and supporting materials by a Disability Determination Services representative.
• Hearing by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ): We are often able to help our clients get approved during the ALJ hearing. We represent them during this meeting, which often occurs over the phone or video conference.
• Review by the Appeals Council: If the above step is not effective, we can proceed to an Appeals Council review.
• Federal Court Review: This is the highest level your appeal can go to. 

We will fight for the disability benefits our clients need if their chronic pain is serious enough that it prevents them from working. 

Talk to Our Akron Team About Your Chronic Pain and Disability

Berger and Green provide a free, confidential consultation for those living with chronic pain in Akron, Ohio. We can explain how an Akron chronic pain disability lawyer can help you, whether filing your initial claim or fighting a denial. We are here for you. Contact us today to get started.