Altoona Neurological Disorder Disability Lawyer

Neurological disorders can cause significant physical and mental impairments. If you cannot work, your medical condition may qualify you for neurological disorder disability benefits. These monthly payments can protect your financial stability while you focus on your health. 

You do not have to navigate the claims process alone. A Social Security Disability lawyer with Berger and Green can complete and file your initial application or lead your appeal for a denied benefits claim. Our law firm has over 40 years of disability experience that we can put to work for you. Contact us today for a free consultation with an Altoona neurological disorder disability lawyer today. 

You Do Not Have to Accept a Neurological Disorder Disability Claim Denial

Social Security Disability (SSD) can provide vital economic resources to sick and injured individuals and their families. However, getting these much-needed payments is often challenging, and most initial claims are denied. According to the Annual Statistical Supplement to the Social Security Bulletin for 2022, about 30 percent of applicants receive a favorable determination without having to appeal. 

If you cannot work because of your condition and you are expected to be out of work for 12 months or longer, our neurological disorder disability lawyers serving Altoona, PA, are here for you. Our law firm can relieve the burden of your SSD claims by completing the following tasks:

• Filing your initial Social Security Disability application
• Determining why the Social Security Administration (SSA) denied your benefits claim
• Filing your appeal and representing you during the four stages of the appeal process
• Ensuring the SSA has the appropriate information about your health care providers and work history
• Helping you bolster your appeal with medical or non-medical evidence
• Tracking and adhering to deadlines
• Taking necessary legal action

We Get Results for SSD Clients

Our legal team has evaluated thousands of SSD cases in Pennsylvania over the years, so we will use our knowledge and experience to get the payments you need. Fortunately, denial is not the end of the road. We have achieved favorable outcomes for many disabled individuals whose initial application was denied, as client testimonials, such as the following, show:

“I’m so thankful, it’s like I can’t say enough. They really stepped in and made things happen for me. If you are in a situation where you are unsure of your future, but you’re disabled, and you’re not sure how you’re going to make it to the next day, they can step in and make things happen for you.” 

We Aim to Prove Your Neurological Disorder Qualifies You for Social Security Disability Benefits

The first step in filing for SSD benefits is determining which of the following benefit programs you may qualify for:

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). You can seek SSDI if you have earned work credits during your employment years. To qualify, most workers need five years of work (or 20 credits). However, older workers may need more, and younger workers may need fewer. 
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI). You do not need earned work credits to apply for SSI. SSI is for disabled individuals with limited resources and income. 

Some individuals qualify for SSDI and SSI concurrently, but you must apply for each separately. Berger and Green’s disability lawyers can advise and ensure you complete the appropriate paperwork. Contact us today to get started. 

Medical Qualifications

SSDI and SSI have the same medical qualifications. You can find a list of disabling neurological impairments and the criteria the SSA uses to evaluate them in its Blue Book. Listed neurological disorders include the following:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Motor neuron disorders other than ALS
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Epilepsy 
• Benign brain tumors
• Parkinsonian syndrome
• Cerebral palsy
• Vascular insult to the brain
• Spinal cord disorders
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Post-polio syndrome
• Muscular dystrophy
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Myasthenia gravis
• Neurodegenerative disorders of the central nervous, including Huntington’s disease and Friedreich’s ataxia

If you have a neurological disorder not listed in the Blue Book, you can still pursue SSD with the help of an Altoona lawyer. However, you must supply evidence from your medical records demonstrating your health problem is as severe as the conditions listed. 

In most cases, when determining if a neurological disorder is disabling, the SSA will evaluate whether it causes a marked limitation in one of the following:

1. Physical functioning
2. Ability to interact with others
3. Ability to concentrate, persist, or maintain pace
4. Ability to adapt or manage yourself

Income and Work Qualifications

If an SSDI or SSI applicant can earn more than the annual substantial gainful activity (SGA) limit, the SSA does not consider them to have a disability. The 2023 SGA limit is an average of $1,470 per month ($2,460 for people who are blind). 

In addition, the SSA must expect your neurological disorder will prevent you from earning SGA for at least 12 months. This does not mean you should wait a year to file your SSD application. You can and should apply for benefits as soon as your health problem prevents you from working. 

How Much Are Monthly Neurological Disorder Disability Payments?

SSDI benefits vary per individual based on several factors, including age and work credits. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), the average monthly SSDI payment for disabled workers is $1,483 in 2023.  

The SSA establishes the SSI rate annually based on economic indicators like the Consumer Price Index. In 2023, claimants can receive $914 per individual per month or $1,371 per couple. Pennsylvania offers state-supplemented SSI. We can tell you more about seeking state benefits during your free consultation. 

Our Neurological Disorder Disability Attorneys Can Manage Your Appeal

We understand how critical SSD payments can be to make ends meet. Our Altoona neurological disability attorneys can fight for your benefits on appeal, but do not delay getting started on your claim. You have 60 days from receiving an initial denial to begin the process. You then have 60 days between each stage to advance your appeal. 

The four stages are as follows:

1. Reconsideration. We can submit new medical or non-medical evidence and ask the SSA to take another look at your claim. You must wait to receive a determination of your reconsideration before you can move your appeal forward. 
2. Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing. We will represent you during this official proceeding.
3. Appeals Council review. We can ask the council to take a second look at the ALJ’s ruling. 
4. Federal court. If necessary, we can file a lawsuit in Federal Court. 

Call Us About Your Altoona Neurological Disorder SSD Benefits Claim Today

Contact Berger and Green today to learn how our Altoona, PA, neurological disorder disability lawyers can help with your SSDI or SSI claims. We can complete and file your initial claim or lead your appeals case.

We offer free consultations and take cases on contingency. Call today to start exploring your options and next steps.